When is the Fed's next meeting? See the full schedule for 2026.

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

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.

The FOMC holds eight regularly scheduled meetings per year. Its most recent meeting took place July 28-29, 2026. The next one is scheduled for Sept. 15-16.

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

* 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 Kevin Warsh will also be 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.

What to expect from the next Fed meeting

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. However, it did not change the federal funds rate after its most recent meeting in July 2026 and issued the following statement :

The Committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 3-1/2 to 3-3/4 percent, in support of the Federal Reserve's dual mandate. The Committee is continuing its policy of maintaining ample reserves in the banking system. Economic activity is expanding at a solid pace despite elevated uncertainty that owes, in part, to the conflict in the Middle East. Productivity growth and capital investment are strong. Job gains have kept pace with the workforce, and the unemployment rate has changed little. Inflation remains elevated relative to the Committee's 2 percent goal, in part reflecting supply shocks that have driven price increases in certain sectors, including energy. The Committee will deliver price stability.

The Committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 3-1/2 to 3-3/4 percent, in support of the Federal Reserve's dual mandate. The Committee is continuing its policy of maintaining ample reserves in the banking system.

Economic activity is expanding at a solid pace despite elevated uncertainty that owes, in part, to the conflict in the Middle East. Productivity growth and capital investment are strong. Job gains have kept pace with the workforce, and the unemployment rate has changed little.

Inflation remains elevated relative to the Committee's 2 percent goal, in part reflecting supply shocks that have driven price increases in certain sectors, including energy. The Committee will deliver price stability.

Markets expect the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates this week for the first time in over three years.

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

How often does the Fed meet to change interest rates?

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%.

The Fed holds eight regularly scheduled meetings each year. Here's what to expect.

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