Social Security Sets 2 August Payment Dates, With SSI Already Sent on July 31

Q: How will the rising Medicare Part B premium silently erode the recent cost-of-living increase for average retirees this year?

For many average retirees, much of this year’s Social Security cost-of-living increase is being quietly eaten up by Medicare Part B. The 2026 Social Security COLA is 2.8%, which raised the average retired-worker benefit to about $2,071 a month from roughly $2,015 — an increase of about $56 monthly. But the standard Medicare Part B premium rose to $202.90 a month from $185 in 2025, a jump of $17.90. Because Part B premiums are usually deducted automatically from Social Security checks, beneficiaries do not feel the full $56 increase in their net payment. After subtracting the $17.90 premium hike, the average retiree keeps only about $38.10 more per month. In other words, roughly one-third of the average COLA increase is offset by the higher Part B premium. That erosion can feel even larger in practice because retirees also face other Medicare cost increases, including a higher Part B deductible, along with rising prices for housing, food and prescriptions. For higher-income retirees, the impact can be steeper because income-related Medicare surcharges can push Part B premiums well above the standard amount. So while Social Security checks are larger on paper in 2026, the increase in Medicare Part B means the actual boost in spendable income is notably smaller for many retirees.

3 articles · Updated · capitolskyline.com · Aug 18

Aug. 19 and Aug. 26 are the two remaining regular Social Security payment dates in August 2026 for retirement and SSDI beneficiaries on the standard birthday-based schedule.
Birthdays from the 11th through 20th are generally paid Aug. 19, while those from the 21st through 31st are scheduled for Aug. 26; beneficiaries born Aug. 1-10 were already paid Aug. 12.
SSI recipients should not expect another August deposit because their August benefit was issued early on July 31 after Aug. 1 fell on a Saturday; the next SSI payment is due Sept. 1.
Pre-May 1997 beneficiaries and some people receiving both Social Security and SSI can follow different arrangements, and the SSA says to wait three business days before reporting a missing payment.
Benefits this year reflect a 2.8% COLA; July 2026 averages were $2,085.98 for retired workers, $1,635.27 for disabled workers and $736.54 for SSI.