Overview
- Deposits today go to retirees, SSDI and survivor beneficiaries born between the 11th and 20th who began receiving benefits after May 1997.
- The 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment for 2026 is reflected in checks, with reported maximum monthly benefits for age-70 claimants around $5,100.
- Average retired-worker benefits are about $2,071 this year, and monthly payments follow the SSA’s staggered, birthdate-based Wednesday schedule.
- SSI’s March payment will be issued Friday, Feb. 27 under the early-payment rule, with federal amounts up to $994 for individuals and $1,491 for couples.
- The CBO now projects the retirement trust fund will be depleted in 2032 unless Congress acts, which could trigger an immediate 7% cut then and larger reductions afterward.