Overview
- Recipients with birthdays from the 21st to the end of the month are scheduled to be paid on Wednesday, March 25, which closes out March’s distribution, and the SSA advises allowing up to three business days if funds do not appear.
- Because March 1 fell on a Sunday, SSI for March was paid early on Feb. 27, and the next SSI payment, worth up to $994 for individuals ($1,491 for couples and $498 for essential caregivers), is set for Wednesday, April 1.
- April’s Social Security calendar includes payments on April 8, 15, and 22 based on birth dates, with those who receive both Social Security and SSI set to be paid on Friday, April 3.
- For 2026, benefits reflect a 2.8% COLA and a higher taxable earnings cap of $184,500, while claiming at 62 reduces monthly checks by about 30% and the earnings test withholds $1 per $2 over $24,480 or $1 per $3 over $65,160 in the year of full retirement age.
- Outlets report slightly different 2026 maximum monthly benefits for age‑70 claimants—about $5,108 to $5,181—whereas the average retired worker collects roughly $2,000 per month.