Social Security COLA 2026: First Increased Checks Arriving Soon – See the Exact Payment Schedule Here
Social Security COLA 2026: When Will Your First “Raise” Arrive? The Complete January Schedule
(Washington D.C.) — As the curtain falls on 2025, millions of American retirees and SSI recipients are turning their eyes toward the new year—and the financial boost that comes with it. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has confirmed the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2026, and the increased payments are now just weeks away.
However, getting that extra cash isn’t as simple as everyone waking up on January 1st to a fuller bank account. The arrival of your funds depends entirely on two factors: your birth date and the type of benefit you receive.
Here is your complete guide to the Social Security payment schedule for January 2026, so you know exactly when to check your bank account.
1. When Will the First Increased Check Arrive?
For the vast majority of beneficiaries, the new COLA increase goes into effect in December 2025 but is paid out in January 2026.
Where to find your new amount:
The SSA has already started mailing out COLA notices this month. These letters detail your exact new benefit amount. If you haven’t received yours in the mail yet, don’t worry—you can view it immediately by logging into your My Social Security account online.
2. The Official January 2026 Payment Schedule
Mark these dates on your calendar. This is the official schedule for when your first increased payment will hit your direct deposit or mailbox:
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Recipients
- Payment Date:December 31, 2025
- Why? SSI recipients are usually paid on the 1st of the month. Since January 1, 2026, is a federal holiday (New Year’s Day), your payment will arrive a day early. This check will reflect the 2026 COLA increase.
Retirement & SSDI Beneficiaries (The “Wednesday” Rule)
For those claiming traditional retirement or disability benefits, payments follow the standard schedule based on the day of the month you were born:
| If Your Birthday Is… | Your Payment Date Is… |
| 1st – 10th | Wednesday, January 14, 2026 |
| 11th – 20th | Wednesday, January 21, 2026 |
| 21st – 31st | Wednesday, January 28, 2026 |
Beneficiaries Before May 1997
If you started receiving Social Security before May 1997, your payment date is traditionally the 3rd of the month.
- Payment Date:Friday, January 2, 2026
- Note: Since January 3rd falls on a Saturday, the SSA typically issues payments on the preceding business day.
3. How Much Is the Increase?
The 2026 COLA is designed to help seniors keep up with inflation. While the percentage may seem modest compared to the record-breaking highs of previous years, it adds up over time to help cover rising costs of groceries and fuel.
- Example Calculation: If your current benefit is $1,900, the specific percentage increase announced by the SSA will be applied to this base amount.
⚠️ A Note on Medicare Part B:
Before you spend that extra money mentally, remember to check your Medicare Part B premiums. If premiums rise in 2026, that increased cost is automatically deducted from your COLA raise. This means your final “take-home” increase might be slightly lower than the gross percentage suggests.
4. What If My Check Doesn’t Arrive?
While direct deposits are generally instantaneous on the scheduled date, delays can happen. The SSA officially advises waiting three mailing days after your scheduled payment date before contacting them.
Given the holiday season and potential winter weather delays, paper checks might be slightly slower than direct deposits.
Recommendation: To see your exact new amount right now, log in to the ‘Message Center’ on the official ssa.gov website.
