Knowing when your Social Security money will arrive in December can make it much easier to plan for bills, groceries, and year‑end expenses. Social Security follows a predictable calendar, but December 2025 has a few special twists, including an extra payment for many Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients.
Key December 2025 Payment Dates
For December 2025, most retirees and disability beneficiaries will receive their payments on one of three Wednesdays, while SSI has its own schedule with two deposits during the month.
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December 1, 2025: Regular SSI payment for December.
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December 3, 2025: Social Security payment for people who have been on benefits since before May 1997 or who receive both SSI and Social Security.
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December 10, 17, and 24, 2025: Regular retirement, SSDI, and survivor benefits based on birthday.
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December 31, 2025: Extra SSI payment, counted as the January 2026 benefit, because January 1 is a federal holiday.
How Your Birthday Affects Your Pay Date
If benefits started after May 1997 and you do not receive SSI, your December Social Security payment date is tied to your birthday.
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Birthday on the 1st–10th of any month: payment on the second Wednesday, which is December 10, 2025.
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Birthday on the 11th–20th: payment on the third Wednesday, December 17, 2025.
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Birthday on the 21st–31st: payment on the fourth Wednesday, December 24, 2025.
Special Rules for SSI and Early Beneficiaries
People who receive SSI follow a different calendar from standard Social Security retirement or disability benefits. In December 2025, SSI recipients get their normal monthly benefit on December 1 and an additional payment on December 31, which actually counts as their January 2026 benefit because payments cannot be issued on New Year’s Day.
If you have been receiving Social Security since before May 1997, or you receive both SSI and Social Security, your Social Security payment is generally made on the 3rd of each month instead of a Wednesday pattern. In December 2025, that means your Social Security deposit arrives on December 3, while any SSI you receive is paid on December 1 and December 31.
December 2025 Payment Schedule Table
The table below summarizes the main December 2025 Social Security and SSI payment dates at a glance.
| Date (Dec 2025) | Who Is Paid On This Date | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | All SSI recipients | Regular December SSI benefit. |
| 3 | Pre‑May 1997 Social Security recipients; people getting both SSI and Social Security | Standard early‑filed or dual‑benefit Social Security deposit. |
| 10 | Social Security beneficiaries with birthdays on the 1st–10th | Second Wednesday birthday‑based payment. |
| 17 | Social Security beneficiaries with birthdays on the 11th–20th | Third Wednesday birthday‑based payment. |
| 24 | Social Security beneficiaries with birthdays on the 21st–31st | Fourth Wednesday birthday‑based payment. |
| 31 | All SSI recipients | January 2026 SSI benefit paid early due to New Year’s Day holiday. |
Why There Are Two SSI Payments in December
The extra SSI deposit in December does not mean you get more money for the year; it is simply the January benefit paid one business day early. Whenever the first of the month falls on a weekend or federal holiday, SSI moves to the last business day of the prior month, which is why the “January” payment lands on December 31, 2025.
For budgeting, it helps to treat the December 31 SSI payment as income for January’s bills, not as a bonus check. Setting aside part of that deposit for rent, utilities, or food in early January can keep you from feeling short on cash once the new year starts.
How Bank Processing Can Affect Your Deposit
Social Security and SSI payments are typically sent electronically at the same time for everyone on a given pay date, but the exact hour the money appears in your account can vary by bank or credit union. Some financial institutions post deposits at midnight Eastern time, while others may show the funds later in the morning or sometimes not until the business day begins.
If your payment is missing by the end of the scheduled day, the Social Security Administration recommends first contacting your bank to see whether there is a processing delay. If the bank has not received anything, you can call Social Security or check your my Social Security account online to report a late or missing payment.
Tips to Plan Your December Budget
Because December often brings higher spending, knowing the exact date of each deposit can help you avoid overdrafts and late fees. Many people map out their bills around the December 10, 17, and 24 Social Security dates and the two SSI payments on December 1 and December 31 so that essentials like rent, medicine, and groceries are covered first.
Setting up automatic bill payments a few days after your expected deposit date can also add a layer of safety in case your bank posts the funds later in the day. Keeping a simple calendar on paper or on your phone with each December payment date highlighted can make the month feel more predictable and less stressful.
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FAQs
Q1: Will everyone get an extra payment in December 2025?
A: No, only SSI recipients receive two deposits in December 2025, and the second payment on December 31 is actually for January 2026, not a bonus.
Q2: What if my Social Security birthday‑based payment does not show up on the right Wednesday?
A: First check with your bank, then contact Social Security or look at your my Social Security account if the deposit is still missing after the payment date.
Q3: Do these dates apply to retirement, SSDI, and survivor benefits?
A: Yes, the Wednesday birthday‑based schedule covers most retirement, disability (SSDI), and survivor benefits, while SSI follows the separate first‑of‑month calendar.
