The Social Security Administration will implement a new payment schedule in 2026, affecting approximately 75 million Americans. Benefits are set to increase by 2.8%, adding about $56 to average monthly payments. These schedule adjustments are primarily due to weekends and federal holidays falling on usual payment dates, potentially causing some Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients to experience months without a payment. Most other Social Security beneficiaries will see payments on Wednesdays, with those receiving benefits before May 1997 or both Social Security and SSI continuing on the 1st and 3rd of the month respectively.