Social Security February 2026:February 2026 brings new Social Security payments for millions of retirees, survivors, and disability beneficiaries across the United States. The Social Security Administration (SSA) follows a schedule that depends on when a person started receiving benefits and, for many, their date of birth. Understanding these dates can help recipients plan their finances more effectively.
Early Payments for Long-Time Beneficiaries
The first group to receive payments in February includes those who began receiving Social Security before May 1997. This also covers individuals who receive both regular retirement benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) at the same time. For these long-standing beneficiaries, the payment arrived on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
Payment Schedule for Other Recipients
For retirees and disability beneficiaries who started receiving Social Security after May 1997, the deposit schedule is determined by birth dates. Those born between the 1st and 10th of any month received their payments on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. Beneficiaries with birthdays between the 11th and 20th were paid on Wednesday, February 18, while those born between the 21st and 31st received funds on Wednesday, February 25.
Special Schedule for SSI Beneficiaries
SSI beneficiaries, who are typically low-income individuals over 65, blind, or disabled, follow a different timetable. Since February 1, 2026, fell on a Sunday, their payment was moved up to Friday, January 30, 2026. Similarly, March 2026 payments will be advanced to Friday, February 27.
Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)
All Social Security and SSI payments for 2026 include a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment, announced by the SSA in October 2025. This increase took effect in January and adds roughly $56 per month to the average retirement benefit. The COLA ensures that benefits keep pace with inflation and maintain recipients’ purchasing power.
Factors Affecting Individual Benefits
The amount each person receives varies widely. While the average retiree gets around $1,950 per month, the maximum possible benefit is over $5,000. The final amount depends mainly on the age at which someone retires and their income history. Those who begin Social Security at 62 receive reduced payments, while delaying benefits until age 70 results in the highest monthly payments. The calculation also considers a person’s 35 highest-earning years, with consistent high earnings needed to reach the maximum benefit.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide financial, legal, or tax advice. All payment dates and amounts are based on information from the Social Security Administration. Readers should rely on official SSA announcements for accurate and up-to-date details.
