Social Security payments will continue on their regular December schedule, marking the final round of checks before the next cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is applied. These payments primarily support retirees, older adults, and long-term beneficiaries who depend on monthly Social Security income.
How December 2025 Social Security Payments Are Scheduled
The Social Security Administration (SSA) distributes retirement benefits based on the recipient’s birth date, and payments usually arrive on Wednesdays.
Payment Dates Based on Birthdays
According to the official SSA payment calendar:
- December 10, 2025: For beneficiaries born between the 1st and 10th of any month
- December 17, 2025: For beneficiaries born between the 11th and 20th
- December 24, 2025: For beneficiaries born between the 21st and 31st
Special Payment Rule
Anyone who began receiving Social Security benefits before May 1997 will receive their payment on December 3, 2025, following SSA’s long-standing schedule.
Bigger Checks Coming: COLA Increase for 2026
After the December payments are issued, seniors will notice a 2.8% COLA increase in their January 2026 checks.
The SSA estimates that the average beneficiary will receive about $56 more per month, helping recipients manage rising living costs in the coming year.
January 2026 Social Security Payment Dates
January 2026 retirement benefits will also follow the SSA’s standard schedule:
- January 14, 2026: Birthdays 1st–10th
- January 21, 2026: Birthdays 11th–20th
- January 28, 2026: Birthdays 21st–31st
These dates follow the same birthday-based system used throughout the year.
SSI Payment Schedule for December 2025 – June 2026
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) follows a different payment structure, with checks usually sent on the first business day of each month.
Because January 1, 2026, is a federal holiday, SSI payments will be sent one day earlier.
SSI Payment Timeline
According to the SSA calendar, SSI beneficiaries will receive checks on:
- Monday, December 1, 2025 – Payment for December 2025
- Wednesday, December 31, 2025 – Early payment for January 2026
- Friday, January 30, 2026 – Payment for February 2026
- Friday, February 27, 2026 – Payment for March 2026
- Wednesday, April 1, 2026 – Payment for April 2026
- Friday, May 1, 2026 – Payment for May 2026
- Monday, June 1, 2026 – Payment for June 2026
This early-release system ensures that SSI beneficiaries receive support even when holidays interrupt the normal cycle.
Understanding Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Supplemental Security Income is a needs-based federal program designed for individuals with limited income and financial resources. SSI supports:
- Adults aged 65 or older
- Individuals who are blind or living with a qualifying disability
- Children with eligible disabilities
SSI rules generally limit beneficiaries from earning more than $2,019 per month, although specific exceptions may apply.
Many Americans receiving disability-based support are preparing for the upcoming $967 SSI Payment Arrives December 1 — Here’s Who Qualifies and What’s Required, which highlights important rules for eligibility. This special December payment goes to low-income seniors, adults with disabilities, and children who meet strict financial and medical criteria. To qualify, applicants must provide proof of income, medical records, living-arrangement details, and updated personal information. Understanding these requirements helps beneficiaries avoid delays and receive their December SSI payment on time.
Conclusion
The December 2025 Social Security payment schedule, along with the upcoming COLA increase, plays a crucial role in helping seniors and disabled individuals plan their monthly budgets. With a clear set of payment dates for both Social Security and SSI, beneficiaries can stay prepared for the transition into 2026. Understanding these timelines ensures that households relying on federal benefits receive their payments without confusion or delay.
FAQs
1. When will the COLA increase show up in Social Security checks?
The 2.8% COLA increase will be applied starting with January 2026 payments, increasing monthly Social Security benefits.
2. Why do SSI payments sometimes arrive a day early?
If the first of the month falls on a weekend or federal holiday, SSI checks are issued on the previous business day.
3. Do the December payment dates ever change?
December Social Security payments only shift if a scheduled Wednesday falls on a federal holiday. For 2025, the dates remain unchanged.