At what age should I start receiving Social Security benefits?
Find the best age to claim Social Security benefits based on calculations and life expectancy. Should I wait or apply early?
Social Security payments will be made on the regular schedule in February.
Social Security benefits, which are paid primarily to elderly or retired beneficiaries, are typically paid on Wednesdays. According to the Social Security Administration’s calendar, payments are made on the second Wednesday of each month to beneficiaries whose birthday falls between the 1st and 10th of the month (this month, it’s February 11th).
People born between the 11th and 20th will be paid on the third Wednesday of each month (February 18th). According to the SSA calendar, those born on or after the 20th of the month are paid on the fourth Wednesday of each month (February 25th). Social Security recipients who began receiving benefits before May 1997 will receive payments on January 3.
Social Security payments should increase slightly thanks to the 2.8% cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase that took effect in January. Payments are expected to increase by about $56 a month on average, according to the Social Security Administration.
View the February 2026 Social Security Payment Schedule.
February 2026 Social Security Payment Schedule
The Social Security Administration’s 2026 Benefit Payment Calendar is available online so you can review the schedule for budgeting purposes.
Social Security retirement benefits for February 2026 will be transferred on SSA’s regular schedule.
- Wednesday, February 11th: The date of birth is from the 1st to the 10th of the month.
- Wednesday, February 18th: Birthdays are between the 11th and 20th of every month.
- Wednesday, February 25th: Birthdays from the 21st to the 31st of every month.
SSI payment schedule from February to 2026
Recipients of Supplemental Securities Income (SSI) checks are typically issued payments on the first business day of the month. Because February 1, 2026 is a Sunday, the February payment will now be made on Friday, January 30, 2026.
According to the SSA calendar, SSI checks will be mailed on the following days in 2026:
- Friday, January 30, 2026 (confirmed for February 2026)
- Friday, February 2, 2026 (confirm for March 2026)
- Wednesday, April 1, 2026 (confirmed in April 2026)
- Friday, May 1, 2026 (Please check May 2026)
- Monday, June 1, 2026 (confirmed in June 2026)
- Wednesday, July 1st (confirmed July 2026)
- Friday, July 31st (confirm for August 2026)
- Tuesday, September 1st (confirmed for September 2026)
- Thursday, October 1st (confirmed in October 2026)
- October 31st (Friday) (confirmed for November 2026)
- Tuesday, December 1st (confirmed in December 2026)
- Thursday, December 31st (confirmed for January 2027)
What is Supplemental Securities Income or SSI?
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a benefit program for people age 65 and older, with limited income or assets, and who are blind or have a qualifying disability. Children with eligible disabilities are also eligible, according to the SSA website. Adults who qualify for SSI typically earn no more than $2,019 per month.
If you think you may be eligible for SSI, you can begin the application process online, in person at your local Social Security office, or by calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) weekdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time.
Mike Snyder is a national trends news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, and X, and email him at: mike snyder & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & msnider@usatoday.com.
