Fri Oct 24 11:30:00 UTC 2025: News Article:
2026 Social Security Payment Schedule Released, COLA Estimate Holds Steady
The 2026 Social Security payment schedule is now available, detailing when retirees can expect their monthly benefits based on their birth date. Typically, payment dates are determined by date of birth, with exceptions for those who received Social Security before May 1997 or receive both Social Security and SSI. This group are paid on the 3rd and 1st of each month, respectively. If your scheduled payment falls on a weekend or federal holiday, your payment will be issued on the weekday immediately preceding that date.
The official Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) announcement, delayed by the government shutdown, is now expected on October 24th. Preliminary estimates for the 2026 COLA continue to hover around 2.7%, according to experts like David Payne of the Kiplinger Letter and The Senior Citizens League (TSCL). This estimate would translate to an average monthly increase of $54.22 for beneficiaries, based on the August 2025 average monthly check of $2,008.31.
“The CPI release still leaves the COLA at 2.7%. Next month’s release will determine the final number. 2.7% is most likely, but 2.8% is possible.” Payne says.
The article also encourages beneficiaries to set up a “my Social Security” account to access account information, request replacement cards, receive COLA updates, update direct deposit information, and access Social Security 1099 forms.
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