January Social Security checks: 2026 benefits rise 2.8%
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Many Social Security beneficiaries will soon receive their first relief checks of 2026.
According to the Social Security Institution’s date of birth calendar, January 14 is the earliest date that beneficiaries can receive their January payments.
These checks will include a 2.8% benefit increase thanks to a cost-of-living adjustment for 2026. announced In October.
This year, beneficiaries will see higher premiums for Medicare Part B health insurance, which could take a bite out of those checks. Standard Part B premium climbs $202.90 per month — $17.90 or 9.7% increase from 2025.
Here’s what Social Security beneficiaries need to watch out for and when they might get their first check in 2026.
Retirement benefits will increase by about $56 per month
The 2.8% Social Security cost-of-living adjustment for 2026 would increase retirement benefits by an average of $56 per month. Social Security Administration He said in October.
The increase is higher than the 2.5% benefit increase beneficiaries saw in 2025. But that’s below the 3.1% average COLA beneficiaries have seen over the past decade.
Of course, how much support beneficiaries receive depends on the size of the benefits available. To get the biggest benefit checks in retirement, experts generally recommend that individuals delay claiming benefits as long as possible until age 70.
Social Security beneficiaries also could benefit from a new top-line deduction in President Donald Trump’s “big beautiful bill” that aims to reduce the taxes they pay on benefits through 2028. But that doesn’t mean they won’t pay federal taxes on benefits depending on their situation. income levels.
Beneficiaries can choose to: withholding taxes Use Social Security benefits to estimate these tax liabilities.
Medicare Part B premiums to increase nearly 10%
Premiums for Medicare Part B, which covers medical and preventive services, increase in 2026.
This could affect how much the 2.8 percent of Social Security cost-of-living adjustment beneficiaries see. Monthly premiums for Medicare Part B are usually deducted directly from monthly checks.
The hold-harmless provision ensures that beneficiaries’ Medicare Part B premiums do not increase by more than the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment.
The standard Medicare Part B premium increases to $202.90 per month in 2026. In 2025, it increased from $185 per month to $17.90, or 9.7%. This premium rate applies to beneficiaries whose modified adjusted gross income is equal to or less than $109,000 for individual tax returns or $218,000 for married couples filing jointly.
Individuals and couples with higher incomes pay higher premium rates, known as income-related monthly adjustment amounts. about 8% Number of Medicare Part B beneficiaries, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
IRMAA’s income levels are generally based on tax returns from two years ago.
Social Security beneficiaries can also get a premium deduction from their monthly check for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage or private Medicare Advantage insurance.
“A lot of people don’t realize there can be significant savings at the pharmacy you use,” said Mary Johnson, an independent Social Security and Medicare policy analyst who recently helped a family save $600 a month on routine medications by switching to a mail-order pharmacy.
Current Medicare Advantage enrollees now have the option to potentially save money by switching plans for a period of time. open enrollment The period lasts until March 31.
Some new policies may help Social Security beneficiaries keep more of their money. The new senior deduction of up to $6,000 will help offset federal taxes on benefits during tax season. Meanwhile, the top 10 prescription drugs subject to Medicare price negotiations went into effect Jan. 1 and could save some retirees more than 50% this year, according to AARP.
When will 2026 SSK checks start?
Approximately 75 million Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries will benefit from a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment for 2026. Social Security Administration.
According to the institution, approximately 7.5 million people covered by SSI started receiving their checks as of December 31.
Some people may have received payments on January 2, such as those who receive both Social Security and SSI benefits or beneficiaries who started Social Security before May 1997.
Remaining Social Security beneficiaries are planned to be paid based on their date of birth.
People born from 1 to 10he The amount for the month of birth will be paid on the second Wednesday of each month. The first checks of the year will be held on January 14.
people born on the 11thhe up to 20he They are scheduled to receive their checks on the third Wednesday of each month, depending on their birth month. The first checks of 2026 will be on January 21.
born on the 21stst until 31st They are scheduled to be paid on the fourth Wednesday of their birth month, and their checks will arrive on January 28.
