When you receive your 2025 Social Security payment is determined, with a few exceptions, by your date of birth. However, if you received Social Security before May 1997 or are receiving both Social Security & SSI, Social Security is paid on the 3rd and SSI on the 1st. If your payment date falls on a federal holiday or weekend, you can expect to receive that month’s payment on the weekday immediately prior.

The official COLA increase for 2026 is 2.8%, and it mirrors the forecast provided by Kiplinger economist David Payne.

The average monthly social security check in 2025

In August 2025, the average Social Security monthly check for all retirement beneficiaries was $2,008.31, according to the Social Security Administration's Monthly Snapshot (SSA). If you are interested in knowing more about SS benefit payments and how your check measures up to peers, take a look at what the average Social Security check is by age.

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Using that amount for illustrative purposes, a COLA of 2.8% in 2026 would result in an average monthly increase of $56.23 or an annual average increase of $674.80.

Schedule of Social Security benefit payments in 2025

Here are all the confirmed payment dates for retirees based on the Social Security payment schedule for 2025. Just find the day of the month you were born on the left side of the table. Then, look under each month for the specific payment date. If you want to start marking your calendar for next year, here is the Social Security Payment Schedule for 2026.

Consider signing-up for a my Social Security account

You can use a my Social Security account to safely manage your personal Social Security information. If you are concerned about mail theft or travel often, you can opt out of mailed notices for those available online.

The account can help you manage tasks such as requesting a replacement Social Security card, checking the status of an application, estimating future benefits, and receiving updates about the COLA. This account can also be used to update your direct deposit information and get your Social Security 1099 form.

Related Content

• The Average Monthly Social Security Check in 2025
• Six Changes Coming to Social Security in 2026
• Nine Medicare Changes Coming in 2026
• Medicare Premiums 2026: Projected IRMAA Brackets and Surcharges for Parts B and D