Most Social Security retirement and disability recipients will get their December 2025 payments on one of three Wednesdays: December 10, 17, or 24, depending on their birth date. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients will receive payments on December 1 and an early January 2026 benefit on December 31.
Core December 2025 Payment Dates
The Social Security Administration (SSA) pays benefits on a set monthly schedule that depends on benefit type and, for most people, their birth date. December 2025 also includes a shifted SSI payment because New Year’s Day 2026 is a federal holiday.
-
SSI: Monday, December 1
-
Social Security (pre‑May 1997 or receiving both SSI and Social Security): Wednesday, December 3
-
Social Security (birthdays 1st–10th): Wednesday, December 10
-
Social Security (birthdays 11th–20th): Wednesday, December 17
-
Social Security (birthdays 21st–31st): Wednesday, December 24
-
Early January 2026 SSI: Wednesday, December 31
December 2025 Social Security Calendar
The table below summarizes who is paid on each key date in December 2025.
| Date (Dec 2025) | Who Gets Paid | Program | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 1 (Mon) | Most SSI recipients | SSI | Regular December SSI payment |
| Dec 3 (Wed) | Beneficiaries paid before May 1997; people getting both SSI and Social Security | Social Security | Monthly benefit for retirees, SSDI, survivors |
| Dec 10 (Wed) | Birthdays 1st–10th | Social Security | Second Wednesday payment wave |
| Dec 17 (Wed) | Birthdays 11th–20th | Social Security | Third Wednesday payment wave |
| Dec 24 (Wed) | Birthdays 21st–31st | Social Security | Fourth Wednesday payment wave |
| Dec 31 (Wed) | All eligible SSI recipients | SSI | Counts as January 2026 benefit, paid early |
If a payment is not received on the scheduled date, SSA advises allowing three additional mailing days before contacting the agency or your bank.
How Your Birth Date Sets Your Pay Day
If you started receiving Social Security after May 1997, your payment date in December is tied to the day of the month you were born. This applies to retirement, survivor, and disability (SSDI) benefits.
-
Born on the 1st–10th: paid on the second Wednesday, December 10.
-
Born on the 11th–20th: paid on the third Wednesday, December 17.
-
Born on the 21st–31st: paid on the fourth Wednesday, December 24.
People who receive both SSI and Social Security generally follow the “combined” rule: SSI on the 1st and Social Security on the 3rd.
Special Rules for Long‑Time Beneficiaries
Those who have been receiving Social Security benefits since before May 1997 are paid on a fixed date rather than the birthday‑based Wednesdays. In December 2025, that fixed date is Wednesday, December 3.
This group includes many long‑retired workers and some survivors whose benefits began decades ago. Their schedule does not shift unless the 3rd falls on a weekend or federal holiday, in which case payment moves to the prior business day.
Why SSI Is Paid Twice in December
SSI follows a different rule: payments normally arrive on the first of each month, or the previous business day if the first is a weekend or holiday. Because January 1, 2026 is a federal holiday, the January SSI payment is moved up to Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
As a result, SSI recipients see two deposits within December—on the 1st and the 31st—but the second deposit is actually the January 2026 benefit. It does not represent an extra month of income, so budgeting for January should take this early payment into account.
COLA Impact on December Checks
All December 2025 Social Security and SSI payments include the 2.5% cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) that took effect for 2025. This adjustment modestly increased monthly checks compared with 2024 to help offset higher prices.
A new 2.8% COLA for 2026 will first appear in the SSI payment dated December 31 (the January 2026 benefit), while regular Social Security beneficiaries will see the higher 2026 amounts starting with their January 2026 payment dates.
SOURCE
What To Do If Your Payment Is Late
If your scheduled December payment has not arrived, SSA recommends waiting three full mailing days before taking action. After that, you can contact your financial institution first, then reach out to Social Security if the deposit is still missing.
Checking your “my Social Security” online account is a good way to confirm your payment schedule, verify benefit amounts after COLA increases, and ensure your direct deposit details are correct.
