Millions of Americans receiving Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments will see an unusual bump in December: two payments before the year ends.
While no one is getting extra money, the calendar shift means many beneficiaries will receive their January 2026 SSI payment early — on December 31. It’s one of several quirks in the December 2025 Social Security payment schedule, affecting more than 7 million SSI recipients and tens of millions more collecting retirement and disability benefits.
Why Millions Will Get Two Social Security Payments in December
SSI recipients normally receive their benefits on the first day of each month.
But if that date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the Social Security Administration (SSA) pays the benefit one business day early.
- Jan. 1, 2026 is a federal holiday
- So January’s SSI payment will be issued on Dec. 31, 2025
- Combined with the regularly scheduled Dec. 1 SSI payment, recipients get two payments in one month
This shift does not increase annual SSI income. The December 31 payment simply replaces the January 1 disbursement.
Social Security Retirement & Disability Payments: When Benefits Will Arrive
Regular Social Security benefits — including retirement, survivor, and disability (SSDI) payments — follow a different rule: payment dates depend on the beneficiary’s birthday.
Here’s the December 2025 payment schedule:
- Dec. 3 — All beneficiaries who began receiving payments before May 1997
- Dec. 10 — Birthdays falling on the 1st–10th
- Dec. 17 — Birthdays falling on the 11th–20th
- Dec. 24 — Birthdays falling on the 21st–31st
These dates do not change because Christmas falls on a Thursday and does not disrupt federal banking operations that week.
How Much Will Payments Be in December?
Beneficiaries will continue receiving their 2025 COLA-adjusted benefit amounts, which produced average payments similar to the following:
- Average Social Security retirement benefit: about $1,928 per month
- Average SSDI benefit: about $1,537 per month
- Maximum SSI benefit:
- $943 for individuals
- $1,415 for couples
(Actual benefits vary based on lifetime earnings, disability status, and individual eligibility.)
A Bigger Boost Coming in January
Although January’s payment lands early this year, it will also be the first check reflecting the 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).
The SSA’s 2026 COLA will raise benefits by 2.7%, providing a meaningful boost to retirees and low-income beneficiaries as living costs continue to fluctuate.
December’s Double Payment: What Beneficiaries Should Remember
Here’s what to keep in mind:
- You are not receiving extra money. The December 31 deposit replaces January’s check.
- Budget carefully. Your next SSI payment after Dec. 31 will not arrive until Feb. 2, 2026 (since Feb. 1 is a Sunday).
- Regular Social Security benefits remain unaffected. Only SSI gets two payments; retirement and SSDI adhere to the normal Wednesday schedule.
Payment Dates at a Glance (December 2025)
SSI
- Dec. 1 — December payment
- Dec. 31 — January payment delivered early
Social Security (Retirement, SSDI, Survivor)
- Dec. 3 — Pre-1997 recipients
- Dec. 10 — Birthdays 1–10
- Dec. 17 — Birthdays 11–20
- Dec. 24 — Birthdays 21–31
Stay informed and plan ahead. Social Security remains a lifeline for over 71 million Americans — knowing your payment dates and any upcoming changes is key to staying financially secure. If you’re unsure about your benefits or need personalized guidance, visit SSA.gov or call 1-800-77
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