Tips for Beneficiaries for February 2026
If you receive Social Security benefits, here are a few practical tips for February:
- Verify Your 2.8% COLA Increase: The 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) of 2.8% will be reflected in all payments, starting with the Jan. 30 (February) payment.
- Review Medicare Part B Premiums: The standard Part B premium is increasing to $202.90 for 2026, which may be deducted from your February payment.
- Check Your Birthdate Group: Ensure you know your exact payment date based on your birthday (1st-10th, 11th-20th, or 21st-31st) as outlined above.
- Use Direct Deposit: Ensure your direct deposit information is updated on SSA.gov to avoid delays, as paper checks are being phased out.
- Budget for “No Payment” in March: Because the February and March SSI payments are both paid in February 2026, plan your finances to cover the March 1st gap.
P.S.: For full control of your benefits and notices, consider creating a mySocialSecurity account on the SSA website.
Bottom Line
In February 2026, Social Security payments include a 2.8% COLA, bringing the average monthly retirement benefit to about $2,071.
Payments go out on Feb 11, 18, or 25 based on your birthday, while SSI recipients are paid early on January 30 due to the weekend.
Maximum benefits remain much higher for those who delayed retirement, reaching over $5,100 per month.
Why not pay them on their birthdate? I refuse to buy it is too complicated is this completely automated and all that has to happen is input the correct date and have the system update the next time there is an update. It would be simple to put it in the individual account by logging into your account and put in the date
When will I get my check.
Then how come I got my SS check on the 3rd of January which is when I always get it. Not understanding what the 14th has to do either it my birth date is the 2nd of the mint I was born in. So what is all of this about
Notable COLA?? Are you kidding me? Inflation is horrible and I actually end of loosing money with the raises in Medicare costs. Hardly making it
You guys are so confusing I don’t understand or know what to do here if anything