Think tank proposes capping Social Security benefits at $100,000
A Washington think tank has proposed capping annual Social Security benefits for married couples at $100,000 as a way to reduce a looming deficit in retirement trust funds.
May Social Security payments will follow the regular schedule, with the first payment due on May 13th.
Social Security (benefits paid primarily to elderly or retired beneficiaries) is typically paid out on Wednesdays. Payments are made on the second Wednesday of each month to beneficiaries whose birthday falls between the 1st and 10th of the month (May 13th in May), according to the Social Security Administration’s calendar.
Recipients born between the 11th and 20th will receive their payment on the third Wednesday of each month (May 20th). According to the SSA calendar, those born on or after the 20th of the month are paid on the fourth Wednesday of the month (May 27). Social Security recipients who began receiving benefits before May 1997 will receive payments on Friday, May 1st.
The Social Security payment schedule for April is as follows:
Social Security Payment Schedule for April 2026
The 2026 and 2027 Social Security Administration benefit payment calendars are available online. There’s also a handy calendar below. This allows you to see your schedule for budgeting purposes.
May 2026 Social Security retirement benefits will be transferred on SSA’s regular schedule.
- Wednesday, May 13th: The date of birth is from the 1st to the 10th of the month.
- Wednesday, May 20: Birthdays are between the 11th and 20th of every month.
- Wednesday, May 27: Birthdays from the 21st to the 31st of each month.
April 2026 and Remaining SSI Payment Schedule
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is also a program administered by the Social Security Administration that benefits people with limited or no income or assets, people age 65 and older, and people who are blind or have qualifying disabilities. According to the SSA website, children with eligible disabilities are also eligible for SSI.
SSI recipients typically receive payments on the first business day in May, which is Friday, May 1st. According to the SSA calendar, SSI payment dates for 2026 are:
- Friday, May 1, 2026 (Please check May 2026)
- Monday, June 1, 2026 (confirmed in June 2026)
- Wednesday, July 1, 2026 (confirmed in July 2026)
- Friday, July 31, 2026 (Please check for August 2026)
- Tuesday, September 1, 2026 (confirmed in September 2026)
- Thursday, October 1, 2026 (confirmed in October 2026)
- Friday, October 30, 2026 (Please check for November 2026)
- Tuesday, December 1, 2026 (confirmed in December 2026)
- Thursday, December 31, 2026 (confirmed for January 2027)
This is a calendar showing all Social Security and SSI payments for 2026.
2026 Social Security Payment Schedule
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.
