When is the Fed's next meeting?

This week, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) — a division of the Federal Reserve responsible for setting monetary policy — will meet again to evaluate the health of the economy and make key decisions regarding the federal funds rate.

In December, the Fed decided to cut its benchmark rate for the third time in 2025. And many experts believe an additional rate cut is in store at some point in 2026.

These decisions impact not only how the economy functions as a whole but also everyday consumers, as they influence rates on savings accounts, credit cards, mortgages, and more.

Statements and forecasts released during FOMC meetings provide valuable information on the economic outlook. Knowing when the Fed meets to discuss monetary policy and make important decisions can help you get a snapshot of the economy’s overall health and adjust your own financial strategy accordingly.

Read more: Why you should open a CD account before the Fed’s next meeting

The FOMC holds eight regularly scheduled meetings per year. Its most recent meeting took place Dec. 9-10, 2025. The next one is scheduled for Jan. 27-28, 2026.

Here’s the Fed’s full meeting schedule for 2026:

January 27-28
March 17-18*
April 28-29
June 16-17*
July 28-29
September 15-16*
October 27-28
December 8-9*

* Meeting associated with a Summary of Economic Projections.

At these meetings, policymakers assess the health of the economy by evaluating economic indicators such as the Consumer Price Index (CPI), gross domestic product (GDP), and the unemployment rate to shape monetary policy.

The minutes of regularly scheduled meetings are released three weeks after the date of the policy decision. The live press conferences held by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell are also livestreamed and recorded.

Once each meeting concludes, the FOMC releases its policy decisions at 2 p.m. Eastern time. Then the Fed Chairman holds a press conference at 2:30 p.m.

Read more: How a Fed rate cut affects your bank accounts, loans, credit cards, and investments

The next meeting is expected to provide Americans with an update on the federal funds rate. The Fed lowered its target rate three times in 2024, and three more times in 2025. It issued this statement following the most recent meeting in December:

“In support of its goals and in light of the shift in the balance of risks, the Committee decided to lower the target range for the federal funds rate by 1/4 percentage point to 3-1/2 to 3‑3/4 percent. In considering the extent and timing of additional adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate, the Committee will carefully assess incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risks. The Committee is strongly committed to supporting maximum employment and returning inflation to its 2 percent objective.”

Experts believe that the Fed will reduce the federal funds rate again in 2026. However, the number and size of these rate cuts remain to be seen.

Read more: How much control does the president have over the Fed and interest rates?

It’s not possible to predict with certainty what the Fed will decide regarding the federal funds rate. That said, many economists expect a rate cut later in 2026.

The FOMC holds eight regularly scheduled meetings per year. But this doesn’t necessarily mean the committee will decide to change rates at every meeting. Members assess the economy’s performance and the committee adjusts monetary policy accordingly.

The Fed’s current target range is 3.5%-3.75%.