This month, many Social Security recipients face a longer wait for their benefits: here’s why and who’s affected
In January 2026, the U.S.’s Social Security calendar isn’t kind on many recipients of retirement, disability or survivor benefits.
Throughout the U.S., millions of Social Security recipients will this month endure a longer wait for their benefits than at almost any other point in 2026.
Why the wait for Social Security in January 2026?
Of the 70.4 million Americans who claim retirement, disability or survivor benefits, most are issued their benefits on the second, third or fourth Wednesday of each month. An individual’s designated Wednesday is decided by their date of birth.
The bad news for these Social Security recipients is that January 2026 began on a Thursday, pushing each of the month’s Wednesdays back to their latest possible point. This month’s three payment Wednesdays will fall on the following dates:
- Born on 1st-10th of month: Weds., Jan. 14
- Born on 11th-20th of month: Weds., Jan. 21
- Born on 21st-31st of month: Weds., Jan. 28
NB: If you claim benefits based on the work record of another person, such as a parent or a spouse, it is their date of birth that is used to decide your designated Wednesday.
Will January’s lengthy benefits wait happen again in 2026?
Yes, but only once. As the Social Security Administration (SSA) outlines in its published payment schedule, October is the only other month in 2026 when the second Wednesday will fall as late as the 14th.
By contrast, the second Wednesday will come at its earliest point - the eighth day of the month - in April and July 2026.
Who gets paid before the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Wednesday in January?
Two groups of Social Security beneficiaries don’t face such a long wait to pick up their opening benefits of 2026; indeed, they should already have been paid. These beneficiaries are:
- Certain long-term recipients
If you began claiming retirement, disability or survivor benefits before May 1997, you were scheduled to get your benefits on Friday, Jan. 2, regardless of your date of birth. You would normally be issued your money on Jan. 3, but as this date fell on a Saturday, the SSA brought payment forward to the nearest working day.
- Recipients who also claim SSI
Around 2.5 million people in the U.S. claim the SSA’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI) on top of one of the agency’s retirement, disability or survivor benefits. They were due to receive the latter on Jan. 2, having been paid the former on Dec. 31, 2025.
SSI is a scheme aimed at low-income Americans who are over-65 or have a disability; it differs from the SSA’s other benefits programs as it is purely needs-based. It does not depend on prior payment of Social Security taxes.
SSA benefits go up in 2026
Beginning with January’s payments, SSA says its benefits recipients are to get a 2.8% pay rise in 2026. You can find out more about this year’s adjusted benefit amounts in this fact sheet shared by the agency.
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