If you’re one of the roughly 75 million Americans who receive Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, June payments are already on the way. Here’s a full breakdown of the June 2026 payment schedule — and just as importantly, what Georgia recipients need to understand about how those benefits are taxed at the federal level.
The June 2026 Social Security Payment Schedule
Most people who receive Social Security retirement benefits will see their monthly payments distributed according to the Social Security Administration’s standard schedule. Your payment date is determined by your date of birth and, in some cases, when you first began collecting benefits. Taxpayer Advocate Service
Monthly Social Security payments are distributed based on the recipient’s date of birth: people born between the 1st and the 10th receive benefits on the second Wednesday; those born between the 11th and 20th on the third Wednesday; and those born between the 21st and 31st on the fourth Wednesday. Taxpayer Advocate Service
For June 2026, that means:
- June 3 — Beneficiaries who began receiving benefits before May 1997
- June 10 — Birthdays falling between the 1st and 10th of the month
- June 17 — Birthdays falling between the 11th and 20th
- June 24 — Birthdays falling between the 21st and 31st
SSI recipients are on a separate schedule. The monthly SSI payment in June lands on Monday, June 1. On months when the first falls on a weekend or federal holiday, SSI payments are made on the preceding business day. Taxpayer Advocate Service
Looking ahead, SSI recipients will see two payments in July — on the first and last days of the month. The second payment on July 31 is actually the August 2026 payment, since August 1 falls on a Saturday. If you receive SSI, plan accordingly — there will be no separate August payment. Taxpayer Advocate Service
Your 2026 Benefit Is Slightly Higher
2026 brings a slight raise for Social Security recipients. The Social Security Administration announced an annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) of 2.8% for 2026, which the agency estimates will raise the average benefit by $56 per month. That increase is already reflected in the payments going out this month. Fortune
The Tax Question Most Recipients Don't Think About
Here’s where things get more complicated — and where a lot of Social Security recipients, particularly those with other sources of retirement income, get caught off guard.
Your Social Security benefits may be partially taxable at the federal level. This surprises many people who assume their benefits are tax-free. Whether you owe federal tax on your benefits — and how much — depends entirely on your overall income picture.
The IRS uses what it calls “combined income” to determine whether your Social Security benefits are subject to taxation. Combined income is calculated as your modified adjusted gross income plus nontaxable interest plus half of your Social Security benefits. These base amounts remain unchanged in 2026 because Social Security taxation thresholds are not indexed for inflation. Zero Hedge
Here’s how the thresholds work for 2026:
- Single filers: If your combined income is below $25,000, none of your benefits are taxable. Between $25,000 and $34,000, up to 50% may be taxable. Above $34,000, up to 85% may be taxable.
- Married filing jointly: If your combined income is below $32,000, none of your benefits are taxable. Between $32,000 and $44,000, up to 50% may be taxable. Above $44,000, up to 85% may be taxable.
An important distinction: the 85% rule does not mean an 85% tax rate. It means up to 85% of your Social Security benefits can become taxable income and then flow into the normal income tax calculation. Many people misread this and assume they’re losing nearly all of their benefit to taxes — that’s not how it works. Windham Brannon
Also worth noting: these fixed Social Security thresholds differ from general income tax brackets and standard deductions, which the IRS adjusts each year for inflation. Because the thresholds haven’t moved in decades while incomes have risen, more retirees find themselves crossing into the taxable range every year — often without realizing it. Zero Hedge
Good News for Georgia Residents
If you live in Georgia, there’s a meaningful silver lining. Taxable Social Security and Railroad Retirement on the federal return are fully exempt from Georgia income tax. Even if a portion of your benefits is taxable at the federal level, the state of Georgia will not tax it. irs
Georgia also provides generous age-tiered retirement income exclusions: residents aged 62 to 64 can exclude up to $35,000 of retirement income per person, while residents 65 and older can exclude up to $65,000 of retirement income per person. Social Security is fully exempt at all ages and does not count against these limits. For a married couple aged 65 or older, the combined exclusion is $130,000 of retirement income plus the full Social Security exemption. Kugelman Law
That’s a significant tax advantage for Georgia retirees compared to residents in states that do tax Social Security benefits.
A New Federal Deduction That Could Help
There is additional relief at the federal level worth knowing about. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act added a temporary $6,000 bonus senior deduction for taxpayers age 65 and older, effective for 2025 through 2028. The deduction is $6,000 per eligible person and can be $12,000 for a married couple if both qualify, though it phases out above $75,000 of modified adjusted gross income for individuals or $150,000 for joint filers. This new deduction reduces overall taxable income, which can in turn reduce how much of your Social Security is subject to tax. Department of Revenue
Why This Matters More Than Most People Realize
For retirees whose income comes from multiple sources — Social Security, a pension, IRA or 401(k) withdrawals, investment income, or part-time work — the interaction between all of those income streams and the Social Security tax formula can produce surprising results. A relatively modest IRA withdrawal or required minimum distribution (RMD) can push your combined income above a threshold and make a portion of your benefits taxable when they otherwise wouldn’t be.
This is exactly the kind of situation where personalized tax planning — not a one-size-fits-all approach — makes a real difference. The right strategy depends on the full picture of your income, your filing status, your age, and your goals.
At Morris and Associates, Ken Morris sits down personally with every client to review that complete picture. Whether you’re trying to understand how your Social Security is being taxed, looking to reduce your overall tax burden in retirement, or simply want someone to make sure you’re not paying more than you owe, we’re here to help.
Contact Morris and Associates today for a free consultation. We’ll take the time to understand your situation — and make sure your retirement income is working as hard for you as possible.
