Benefits Guidance UNITED STATES Plain-English guide to US federal and state programs

Key dates

Know when money arrives, and when to act.

Your payment days, open enrollment windows and deadlines through January 2027.

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Medicare Open Enrollment

October 15 to December 7 — change your Medicare plan for 2027

Every key date

My payment dates

Social Security pays on a Wednesday based on your birthday. SSI pays on the 1st, or the business day before.

What do you get?
Your birthday falls on the...
Social Security Wednesday Nov 18
Social Security Wednesday Dec 16
Social Security Wednesday Jan 20 First with +3.6%

From the Social Security Administration's published schedule. The January 2027 payments are the first to include the 3.6% increase.

Enrollment windows

Miss these and you may have to wait a year to change your coverage.

Medicare Open Enrollment Change Medicare Advantage or drug plans for 2027.
Marketplace Open Enrollment (HealthCare.gov) Enroll by December 15 for coverage from January 1. Some states run later.
Dec 15

Every key date

October 2026

  • THU 15
    Medicare Open Enrollment opens Runs until December 7.
    Enrollment
  • WED 28
    Social Security: birthdays 21st–31st
    Payment
  • FRI 30
    SSI for November, paid early Because November 1 is a Sunday.
    Payment

November 2026

  • SUN 1
    Marketplace Open Enrollment opens HealthCare.gov and most state marketplaces.
    Enrollment
  • TUE 3
    Social Security: before May 1997, or with SSI
    Payment
  • TUE 10
    Social Security: birthdays 1st–10th A day early because of Veterans Day.
    Payment
  • WED 18
    Opt in to digital COLA notices See your 2027 amount online before the letter arrives.
    Deadline
  • WED 18
    Social Security: birthdays 11th–20th
    Payment
  • WED 25
    Social Security: birthdays 21st–31st
    Payment

December 2026

  • TUE 1
    SSI for December
    Payment
  • MON 7
    Medicare Open Enrollment ends
    Deadline
  • WED 9
    Social Security: birthdays 1st–10th Also December 16 and 23 for later birthdays.
    Payment
  • TUE 15
    Enroll for January 1 Marketplace coverage In most states.
    Deadline
  • THU 31
    SSI for January, with the 3.6% increase Paid early because of New Year's Day.
    Payment
  • THU 31
    Medicaid 6-month renewals begin For most adults in the expansion group.
    Rule change

January 2027

  • WED 13
    First Social Security payments with +3.6% Then January 20 and 27, by birthday.
    Payment
  • FRI 15
    Marketplace Open Enrollment ends In most states. Some run to January 31.
    Deadline

Put these on your phone

Add the calendar once. It updates when SSA or your state changes a date.