The February 26 payment date is for people born between the 11th and 20th of any month
Social Security sends payments on a staggered schedule based on birth date, not all at once. If you were born between the 11th and 20th of the month, your regular monthly payment arrives on the fourth Wednesday of each month — which in 2025 falls on February 26. This schedule applies whether you receive retirement, survivor, or disability benefits.
The amount you receive on that date includes any cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) that took effect in January. The COLA is an annual increase meant to help benefits keep pace with inflation. The exact percentage varies year to year based on inflation data the government collects in the third quarter of the previous year.
If you were born on the 1st through 10th, you receive payments on the second Wednesday. If you were born on the 21st through 31st, you receive payments on the third Wednesday. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients on the federal payment level receive payments on the first of the month, or the next business day if the 1st falls on a weekend or holiday.
Key Takeaways
- Your payment date depends on your birth date: the 11th–20th means you receive payments on the fourth Wednesday, which is February 26 in 2025.
- The COLA increase for the year takes effect in January and is included in your February payment.
- You can view your exact payment date and amount on your Social Security account at ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-772-1213.
- If February 26 falls on a holiday or the Social Security Administration experiences a system issue, your payment may arrive one business day later.
How the COLA is calculated and announced
The COLA percentage is determined by comparing the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) from July, August, and September of one year to the same three months in the previous year. If there is an increase, that percentage becomes the COLA for the following year. The Social Security Administration announces the COLA in October, so you know the exact amount before January payments begin.
For example, if inflation was higher in mid-2024 than mid-2023, the 2025 COLA would reflect that difference. If there is no increase or prices actually fell, the COLA is zero and benefits stay the same — this has happened only three times since COLA began in 1975.
The COLA applies to all types of Social Security benefits: retirement, spousal, survivor, and disability. It also applies to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) federal payment amounts, though some states add their own supplements that may have different adjustment schedules.
What to do if your payment does not arrive on February 26
Payments usually arrive within one to three business days of the scheduled date, depending on your bank. If you have not received your payment by February 28, check your Social Security account online at ssa.gov to confirm the payment was sent. You can also call 1-800-772-1213 to speak with a representative.
Delays can happen for several reasons: your bank may be processing it slower than usual, your account information may be outdated, or there may be a system issue on Social Security's end. If your address or bank details have changed recently, update them in your Social Security account as soon as possible to avoid future delays.
If you receive benefits by check rather than direct deposit, mail delivery can take longer. The Social Security Administration recommends switching to direct deposit to avoid mail delays and reduce the risk of lost or stolen checks.
Payment schedules for other birth dates
The staggered payment schedule spreads the workload across three weeks and helps prevent fraud by making it harder for someone to intercept all payments at once. Here is how the schedule breaks down:
| Birth Date Range | Payment Date (2025) |
|---|---|
| 1st–10th of any month | Second Wednesday (February 12) |
| 11th–20th of any month | Fourth Wednesday (February 26) |
| 21st–31st of any month | Third Wednesday (February 19) |
| SSI federal payment | First of the month (February 1) |
These dates explore to regular monthly payments. If you are newly approved for benefits, your first payment may arrive on a different schedule, and Social Security will notify you of the exact date.
How to track your payment and COLA information
You can view your payment amount, payment date, and COLA details by creating an account at ssa.gov. Once logged in, you can see your benefit statement, which shows your monthly payment amount and the date it will arrive. This is the most current source for your specific information.
You can also request a paper benefit statement by calling 1-800-772-1213 or visiting a local Social Security office. The statement shows your estimated benefits and helps you plan for retirement or understand what you will receive if you become disabled or pass away.
If you receive benefits and want to know the exact COLA percentage that applied to your account, your benefit statement will show both your previous payment amount and your current amount, so you can calculate the difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my COLA increase show up in my February 26 payment?
Yes. The COLA takes effect in January, and your first payment that includes the increase arrives on your regular payment date in February. If you were born between the 11th and 20th, that payment arrives on February 26.
What if I was born on February 29 (a leap year date)?
Social Security treats February 29 births as falling in the 21st–31st range, so you receive payments on the third Wednesday of each month. In 2025, that is February 19.
Can I change my payment date if February 26 does not work for me?
No, your payment date is fixed based on your birth date and cannot be changed. However, you can choose how you receive the payment: direct deposit to a bank account, a debit card, or a check mailed to your address.
Do I need to do anything to receive the COLA increase?
No. The COLA is applied automatically to your account in January. You do not need to contact Social Security or take any action to receive it.
What if I am on SSI instead of regular Social Security?
SSI federal payments arrive on the first of the month (or the next business day if the 1st is a weekend or holiday). SSI also receives a COLA increase in January, applied the same way as regular Social Security benefits.