Medicare Part B covers outpatient medical care, such as doctor visits, preventive services, diagnostic tests, mental health care, and some medical equipment. Medicare Part A, which covers inpatient care like hospital stays, is usually premium-free. However, Part B requires a monthly premium that is based on a person's income, and is commonly deducted from Social Security benefits.
The maximum monthly Social Security benefit at full retirement age will rise from $4,018 to $4,152. Full retirement age—the age at which you become eligible for your full Social Security retirement benefit—varies based on your year of birth. This threshold has gradually increased over the years, following the Social Security Amendments of 1983, which phased in a later retirement age for younger generations.
Currently, individuals born between 1943 and 1954 reach full retirement age at 66. For those born from 1955 to 1959, full retirement age increased by two months with each subsequent birth year—for example, someone born in 1955 has a full retirement age of 66 and two months, while someone born in 1959 reaches full retirement age at 66 and 10 months.
If you were born in 1960 or later, your full retirement age is 67. Social Security benefits can be claimed as early as 62, but doing so will permanently reduce monthly payments. On the other hand, delaying benefits past your full retirement age will increase your monthly payment.
Social Security payment dates are determined by both the beneficiary's first benefit start date and their birthdate. Individuals who began collecting benefits before May 1997 receive their payments on the third day of each month. Everyone else is paid on Wednesdays each month, with the specific week determined by their birthdate.
Recipients born between the first and 10th of the month are paid on the second Wednesday, those born between the 11th and 20th are paid on the third Wednesday, and those born after the 20th are paid on the fourth Wednesday of each month.
SSI recipients received their January 2026 payment early, on Dec. 31, 2025, because Jan. 1 is a federal holiday. The SSA issues SSI payments on the first of each month, but sends payments earlier when the first falls on a weekend or holiday.
SSI: Paid on the 1st of the month, or the previous business day if the 1st falls on a weekend or holiday. Social Security: 3rd of the month: Beneficiaries who started before May 1997 or who receive both SSI and Social Security, but are paid earlier if the 3rd falls on a weekend or holiday.
A full calendar for 2026 payment schedule can be found at www.ssa.gov/pubs/calendar.htm
For reference, Social Security payment dates fall on Wednesdays and are determined by your birth date: 2nd Wednesday: Birthdays between 1–10 3rd Wednesday: Birthdays between 11–20 4th Wednesday: Birthdays between 21–31