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In less than two months, the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security beneficiaries will go into effect. Before that happens, the second round of November Social Security payments is scheduled to go out on Wednesday, Nov. 19.
The 2026 COLA announcement follows a major operational change for benefit recipients. Most Social Security beneficiaries were recently required to switch from paper checks to direct deposit, either into a bank account or a Direct Express debit card.
This shift stems from President Donald Trump’s executive order, issued earlier in the year, which ended federal distribution of paper checks. Beneficiaries were required to comply with this digital transition by Sept. 30.
Details On The 2026 Cost-Of-Living Adjustment
The most significant Security change coming in 2026 is the annual COLA increase. The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced last month that benefits will rise by 2.8% starting January 2026. This translates to an average increase of about $56 per month for retirees.
While the increase is slightly higher than 2025’s 2.5% boost, it is still below the 10-year average COLA of 3.1%.
However, some advocates believe the increase falls short. Shannon Benton, executive director of The Senior Citizens League, argued that the adjustment does not reflect the real financial pressure seniors face.
Benton’s organization is pushing for Congress to revise how COLA is calculated to better address senior living expenses.
Who Will Receive Their Social Security Payment on Nov. 19?
According to the SSA payment schedule, individuals whose birthdays fall between the 11th and 20th of their birth month will receive their monthly benefit on Wednesday, Nov. 19.
How Social Security Payments Are Scheduled
Security retirement benefits are most commonly distributed on Wednesdays, with the specific date tied to a recipient’s birth date:
- Birthdays on the 1st–10th: Payment sent on the second Wednesday of the month
- Birthdays on the 11th–20th: Payment issued on the third Wednesday
- Birthdays on the 21st–31st: Payment arrives on the fourth Wednesday
For people who began receiving Social Security before May 1997, payments are typically sent on the third day of each month, unless that date lands on a federal holiday or weekend.
Individuals who receive both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will get their Social Security payment on the 3rd of the month and their SSI on the 1st.
As the 2026 COLA increase approaches, millions of Social Security recipients can expect a modest boost in benefits beginning in January. Meanwhile, beneficiaries whose birthdays fall between the 11th and 20th will see their November payment arrive on Nov. 19, following the SSA’s structured Wednesday payout schedule.