Millions of Americans are about to receive a long-anticipated cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to their Social Security benefits. However, the new government calendar will divide America’s recipients into two groups. While a smaller group will receive their increased checks on December 31, most will have to wait until January. This divide will occur just because of the Social Security Administration’s calendar, which reschedules payments especially when the pay date falls on weekends or holidays.
Last month, the SSA announced a 2.8% COLA for 2026, which is slightly higher than the 2.5% increase in 2025. The adjustment is intended to help retirees and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries keep up with the rising costs of essentials such as healthcare, housing, and groceries. Inflation throughout 2025 pushed the prices of many commodities up leading to an increase in COLA.
Although the 2.8% COLA is based on the rate of inflation in 2025, recipients will receive the raise in 2026. However, some will receive the increments in December, but the payments are meant for 2026.
Those Getting Their Raise on December 31
A small group of recipients who receive SSI benefits will receive their payments on December 31, because January 1 is a federal holiday. According to the SSA, payments must legally be issued on the nearest business day beforehand.
This early payment only applies to SSI beneficiaries since SSI checks are normally sent on the 1st of each month. If that date falls on a weekend or holiday, the payment date shifts to the prior business day. That will be the case for January checks.
The Majority Waiting Until January
Beneficiaries of retirement, survivor, and disability insurance will receive their increased checks in January 2026. The payment day depends on the SSA’s standard Wednesday payment schedule:
- Birthdays on the 1st–10th: Paid the second Wednesday.
- Birthdays on the 11th–20th: Paid the third Wednesday.
- Birthdays on the 21st–31st: Paid the fourth Wednesday.
This means that most recipients will have to wait until mid-or-late-January, depending on their birthdate.
What the 2.8% COLA Means in Real Numbers
The 2.8% COLA adjustment will see the average beneficiary receiving under $2,008 per month get an additional $56 per month starting in January. While that increment seems small, it will offer some much-needed financial relief.
SSI beneficiaries also see their maximum payments rise:
- Individuals: From $967 to $994 per month.
- Couples: From $1,450 to $1,491 per month.
These numbers will depend on several factors such as amount of income and disability status.
Advocates Say the Raise Still Falls Short
Despite the average increase of about $56, many advocacy groups argue that the adjustment is not keeping pace with the real cost of aging. “The 2026 COLA is going to hurt for seniors. Year after year, they warn that Social Security’s meager increases won’t be enough, and the Census Bureau estimates that about 10 percent of retirement-age Americans live in poverty,” wrote Shannon Benton, executive director of The Senior Citizens League (TSCL), shortly after the SSA announced the COLA for 2026.
According to TCSL, the formula used to calculate COLAs, the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) should be revised because it fails to account for the actual expenses that retirees face. The group recommended adopting the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) or creating a better system that guarantees at least 3% COLA if inflation metrics fall short.
Conclusion
Social Security beneficiaries will get a 2.8% raise, but the dates the benefits arrive will divide recipients into two categories. Those who receive SSI benefits will get their increments on December 31, while the majority who receive other Social Security benefits will receive in January 2026 based on their birthday dates.