Social Security beneficiaries can now circle their calendars with confidence, because the exact payment dates for December have been confirmed. These dates cover regular Social Security retirement, survivors, disability (SSDI), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments, and they follow a predictable pattern that depends mainly on your benefit type and birth date.
Overview of December 2025 Social Security Payments
December is always a busy month for Social Security beneficiaries, and 2025 is no exception. SSI recipients receive two payments, while most Social Security recipients get their usual single monthly deposit. Understanding which group you fall into helps you avoid confusion, plan your budget, and spot any missing payments quickly if something goes wrong with your bank or card.
Key Dates You Need to Know
For December 2025, there are six main payment dates: December 1, 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31. Each of these dates is assigned to a specific group of beneficiaries. SSI payments are always scheduled for the first of the month, while most Social Security checks go out on Wednesdays, with the exact Wednesday based on your birth date. A separate group of long-time beneficiaries continues to be paid on the 3rd of each month, as in prior years.
Who Gets Paid on Which Date?
Social Security and SSI follow slightly different rules. SSI recipients receive their standard December benefit on Monday, December 1. Because January 1 is a federal holiday, the January 2026 SSI payment will be issued early on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, instead of on New Year’s Day. Social Security retirement, survivor, and SSDI beneficiaries who started receiving benefits before May 1997, or who also get SSI, are typically paid on Wednesday, December 3. Everyone else is placed on one of three Wednesday schedules in the middle and end of the month, depending on their day of birth.
December 2025 Social Security and SSI Payment Schedule
| Date (December 2025) | Primary group paid on this date |
|---|---|
| December 1 (Monday) | SSI recipients – regular December payment |
| December 3 (Wednesday) | Social Security for those paid on the 3rd (older cases, some SSI + SS) |
| December 10 (Wednesday) | Social Security – birthdays on the 1st through 10th |
| December 17 (Wednesday) | Social Security – birthdays on the 11th through 20th |
| December 24 (Wednesday) | Social Security – birthdays on the 21st through 31st |
| December 31 (Wednesday) | SSI recipients – January 2026 benefit paid early |
How Birth Dates Affect Your Payment Day
Most people who started receiving Social Security after May 1997 are paid according to their birth date. If your birthday falls on the 1st through the 10th of any month, your December 2025 payment arrives on Wednesday, December 10. If your birthday is on the 11th through 20th, your benefit is scheduled for Wednesday, December 17. Those born from the 21st through the 31st will see their money on Wednesday, December 24. This system spreads payments across three Wednesdays, which helps Social Security and banks process deposits more smoothly.
Special Cases: The Third of the Month Group and SSI
Not everyone follows the birthday-based Wednesday schedule. People who began receiving Social Security before May 1997, along with some who receive both SSI and Social Security, are in a “third of the month” group and continue to be paid on December 3. SSI follows its own rules: the regular December SSI benefit is paid on December 1, and because January 1 is a holiday, the January SSI payment is pushed forward to December 31. That means SSI recipients will see two deposits in December but no SSI payment on January 1 itself. This double payment does not mean extra money overall; it is simply a timing adjustment.
Tips to Avoid Payment Problems
To make sure December payments arrive without problems, beneficiaries should keep their contact and banking details up to date with the Social Security Administration. Most people receive their money by direct deposit into a bank or credit union account, or via a Direct Express prepaid debit card. If you do not see your payment on the expected date, it is worth checking with your bank first, since some institutions post deposits later in the day. For mailed paper checks, allow a few extra mailing days before assuming it is lost. If a payment is still missing after that, contact Social Security directly to have them investigate.
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FAQs
Q1: Why are there two SSI payments in December?
Because January 1 is a federal holiday, the January SSI benefit is paid early on December 31, so SSI recipients get December’s payment on the 1st and January’s on the 31st.
Q2: How do I know if I am in the December 3 group?
You are usually paid on the 3rd if you started receiving Social Security before May 1997 or you receive both Social Security and SSI on the same record.
Q3: Does my payment date ever change permanently?
In most cases, your assigned schedule (3rd of the month or Wednesday by birth date) remains the same unless there is a major change in your benefit type or record.
