**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
**ANCHOR:** Good evening. We have a significant development regarding Social Security disbursements for eligible beneficiaries nationwide.
**WHAT:** The Social Security Administration (SSA) has officially confirmed the payment schedule and cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) rate for the month of May 2026.
**WHO:** This applies to approximately 70 million beneficiaries, including retired workers, disabled individuals, and survivors receiving benefits.
**WHEN:** Payments will be distributed on a staggered schedule based on the beneficiary's date of birth, beginning on the second Wednesday of the month (May 13, 2026) and concluding on the fourth Wednesday (May 27, 2026). Additionally, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for June will be issued early, on May 29, 2026.
**WHERE:** All disbursements will be processed through the U.S. Treasury Department via direct deposit or mailed paper checks to verified addresses within the United States and its territories.
**WHY:** The announced 2.8 percent COLA adjustment for fiscal year 2026, which takes full effect for the May cycle, is intended to offset the increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), ensuring benefit purchasing power is preserved amidst ongoing inflationary pressures on essential goods and services.
**HOW:** Beneficiaries are urged to verify their payment method and update their personal information through the official SSA online portal, *ssa.gov*, to avoid processing delays. The SSA warns against sharing personal banking details over unsolicited phone calls or text messages, as fraud attempts historically increase during announced disbursement periods.