Social Security February 2026 Payment Schedule Confirmed
The Social Security Administration has confirmed the February 2026 payment schedule. This article explains the four official check dates, who gets paid on each date, and what to expect if a federal holiday or weekend falls near a payment day.
How the February 2026 payment dates are set
The Social Security payment calendar for retirement, survivors and disability (RSDI) beneficiaries uses a weekly schedule based on birth date. For February 2026, the month contains four Wednesdays, which are the four official check dates.
Key rules that determine payment timing include birth-date grouping and a small set of grandfathered payment rules for older cases.
Exact February 2026 check dates
Because February 2026 has four Wednesdays, the confirmed Social Security payment dates are:
- February 4, 2026
- February 11, 2026
- February 18, 2026
- February 25, 2026
Who gets paid on each of the 4 check dates
The standard Wednesday schedule applies as follows:
- Born on the 1st–10th of the month: paid on the second Wednesday of the month (Feb 11, 2026).
- Born on the 11th–20th: paid on the third Wednesday of the month (Feb 18, 2026).
- Born on the 21st–31st: paid on the fourth Wednesday of the month (Feb 25, 2026).
Some beneficiaries will see deposits on the first Wednesday (Feb 4) due to specific scheduling rules or administrative choices by the SSA for particular accounts. The SSA posts an annual schedule and your personal online My Social Security account lists your exact payment dates.
Other benefit groups and special rules
Not all Social Security payments follow the Wednesday rule. Two groups have different timing:
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI recipients typically receive payments on the first of the month. If the first is a weekend or federal holiday, payment is usually issued on the prior business day. In February 2026, SSI recipients should expect a February 1 deposit unless state procedures align payments differently.
Beneficiaries who started before May 1997
Some beneficiaries who were receiving benefits before the 1997 schedule change remain on a fixed monthly pay date, often the 3rd of each month. If you started benefits before May 1997, check your statement or My Social Security to confirm whether you are on that older schedule.
Holiday and weekend effects on February 2026 dates
February 2026 includes Presidents Day on Monday, February 16. Since the standard RSDI payment days fall on Wednesdays, the holiday does not change the February Wednesday payment dates.
General rules if a payment date falls on a weekend or federal holiday:
- Social Security deposits are typically made the previous business day if a payment date is a federal holiday.
- For weekend dates, deposits are often moved to the preceding business day as well.
How to confirm your personal February 2026 payment date
To confirm exactly when you will be paid, use these steps:
- Log in to your My Social Security account at ssa.gov.
- Review your benefit verification letter or monthly statement.
- Call the SSA at the official number if your account needs clarification or if you suspect an error.
Common questions beneficiaries ask
- What if my payment isn’t deposited on the scheduled date? — Wait one business day and check with your bank; then contact SSA if still missing.
- Will my Medicare premium always be taken out before I see the net payment? — Often yes; deductions like Medicare Part B are taken before deposit when applicable.
- Do state taxes affect deposit timing? — State taxes can affect net pay but not the SSA deposit date.
Social Security moved most recipients to a Wednesday payment schedule in 1997 to reduce bank processing volume. A small group of beneficiaries who were on older payment cycles were kept on their original dates.
Small real-world example
Case study: Mary, born on May 9, receives retirement benefits. Her birth day (9) places her in the 1–10 group, so she will be paid on the second Wednesday of February, which is February 11, 2026. Her neighbor Tom, born on March 22, gets paid on the fourth Wednesday, February 25, 2026. Both check their My Social Security accounts to confirm exact bank deposit timing.
Practical tips for beneficiaries
- Set up direct deposit to ensure timely receipt of funds.
- Check My Social Security for personalized payment dates and statements.
- If you need payment confirmation for budgeting, download or print your benefit verification letter from your account.
- Report missing payments immediately to SSA and your bank.
Where to get official information
Always rely on the Social Security Administration website (ssa.gov) or your My Social Security account for official schedules and updates. Avoid third-party sites that may republish outdated calendars.
Following these steps will help you understand the Social Security February 2026 payment schedule and ensure your benefit planning stays on track for the four confirmed check dates.