Social Security beneficiaries will see a busy payment month in December 2025, with regular retirement and disability checks plus two Supplemental Security Income (SSI) deposits because of the New Year’s holiday schedule. At the same time, 2025 COLA increases remain in place, and a new 2026 COLA will first show up in an early SSI payment at the end of the month.
December 2025: What’s Different
December 2025 stands out because many SSI recipients will receive two payments in the same calendar month: one for December and one early payment for January 2026. This does not mean an extra month of benefits; it is only a shift in timing due to January 1 being a federal holiday.
In addition, all Social Security and SSI benefits paid during December still reflect the 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) that took effect for 2025, slightly boosting monthly income compared with 2024. Retirees, disabled workers, survivors, and SSI recipients should therefore see the same COLA-adjusted amounts they have received throughout 2025.
Full December 2025 Payment Schedule
Social Security retirement, survivor, and disability payments in December 2025 follow the familiar Wednesday-based schedule tied to beneficiaries’ birth dates, along with a special date for people who have received benefits since before May 1997. SSI follows its own rules and is paid on the first of the month, or the prior business day when a holiday interferes.
Here is the core December 2025 schedule most beneficiaries will follow.
| Date (Dec 2025) | Who Is Paid | Program Type |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 1, 2025 (Mon) | Most SSI beneficiaries, December benefit | SSI |
| Dec 3, 2025 (Wed) | Social Security recipients paid before May 1997, plus some receiving both SSI and Social Security | Social Security OASI/DI |
| Dec 10, 2025 (Wed) | Birthdays 1st–10th of any month | Social Security OASI/DI |
| Dec 17, 2025 (Wed) | Birthdays 11th–20th of any month | Social Security OASI/DI |
| Dec 24, 2025 (Wed) | Birthdays 21st–31st of any month | Social Security OASI/DI |
| Dec 31, 2025 (Wed) | Early payment for January 2026 SSI benefit | SSI |
Because banks and credit unions may process deposits at different times of day, some beneficiaries could see their money shortly after midnight Eastern time, while others may need to wait until normal business hours.
How Birthdays Affect Your Payment Date
For most retirees, surviving spouses, and disability beneficiaries who started receiving payments after May 1997, the exact Wednesday of the month depends on the day of the month they were born.
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Birthdays from the 1st through the 10th are paid on the second Wednesday, which is December 10 in 2025.
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Birthdays from the 11th through the 20th are paid on the third Wednesday, December 17.
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Birthdays from the 21st through the 31st are paid on the fourth Wednesday, December 24.
Anyone who has been receiving Social Security since before May 1997, or who gets both Social Security and SSI, typically receives the Social Security portion on December 3, regardless of birthday.
SSI Beneficiaries: Two Deposits in December
Supplemental Security Income has a separate schedule because it is a means-tested program designed to help people with very low income and limited resources. In December 2025, SSI recipients will see their regular December payment on Monday, December 1.
Because January 1, 2026 is a federal holiday, the January SSI payment is moved up to Wednesday, December 31, 2025. That means the bank statement for December will show two SSI deposits, but there is no additional benefit—January’s money is simply paid one day early.
COLA Increases and 2025 Benefit Levels
All checks paid in December 2025 already include the 2.5% COLA that started with January 2025 benefits, reflecting inflation measured through the CPI-W. For example, the average monthly benefit for all retired workers rose from about 1,927 dollars before the 2025 COLA to around 1,976 dollars afterward.
SSI federal payment standards also increased with the 2025 COLA, with maximum federal amounts of roughly 967 dollars per month for an individual and 1,450 dollars for a couple, though actual payments can vary based on countable income and state supplements. This COLA remains in effect for all Social Security and SSI payments during December 2025.
First Glimpse of the 2026 COLA
A new 2.8% COLA for 2026 will first appear in the SSI payment issued on December 31, 2025, which counts as the January 2026 benefit. That means SSI recipients will see their first 2026 increase a little earlier than usual, even though the payment is credited for the new year.
For Social Security retirement, survivor, and disability benefits, the 2.8% COLA for 2026 will start with payments dated in January 2026, not those issued in December. Beneficiaries should review the notice from the Social Security Administration showing their updated 2026 benefit amount and the impact of any Medicare Part B premium changes.
Tips to Prepare for December Payments
With multiple deposits and changing amounts, December is a good time to confirm bank information and review your My Social Security online account. Beneficiaries should check that direct deposit details are current and look over benefit notices explaining COLA adjustments and any deductions.
People who rely on these payments for rent, utilities, or food should plan their budgets carefully, remembering that the second SSI deposit in December is meant to cover January expenses. If a payment does not arrive on the expected date, the Social Security Administration recommends waiting three mailing days and then contacting the agency or the financial institution.
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FAQs
Q1. Why am I getting two SSI payments in December 2025?
Because January 1, 2026 is a federal holiday, the January SSI benefit is paid early on December 31, so you see two deposits in December but no extra month of benefits.
Q2. Will my December 2025 Social Security check include the 2026 COLA?
No, December 2025 Social Security checks reflect the 2025 COLA; the 2026 COLA begins with benefits payable in January 2026.
Q3. What if my December 2025 payment is late or missing?
Allow a few days for bank processing or mail delivery, then contact your bank or the Social Security Administration if the payment still has not arrived.
