Social Security becomes one of the most searched terms in the country. Seniors and retirees want one simple answer before the holiday bills start landing: When does the next Social Security payment actually arrive? And this month’s check matters even more because it’s the last one before the annual increase takes effect.
With the mid-month date approaching, a lot of beneficiaries are already checking their accounts twice a day. The good news is that the Social Security Administration (SSA) keeps its usual schedule in December, and the upcoming payment is almost here.
Social Security: the December 10 payment
The next Social Security retirement and disability payment for millions of beneficiaries will be issued on Wednesday, December 10, following the agency’s standard rule. That means anyone whose birthday falls between the 1st and the 10th of any month will receive up to $4,018, depending on their benefit amount.
This Wednesday deposit is also the final check before the new 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) starts applying in January. So whatever amount arrives now will still reflect the 2025 rates.
Unlike some federal payments that shift with weekends or holidays, Social Security sticks closely to its weekly pattern in December. No early releases, no delays just the regular cycle that many seniors depend on.
Who gets paid on the 10th
Only one bullet list in the entire article, as requested:
- Beneficiaries with birthdays from 1–10
- Retirees receiving standard Social Security retirement
- SSDI recipients assigned to the early-month cycle
Everyone else will be paid on the following Wednesdays, according to their SSA group.
What to know about the final check of the year
This December payment closes the 2025 cycle. It’s the last month before the COLA update increases monthly benefits, which many households rely on to balance rising costs. The January boost will apply automatically, no action needed, but this week’s deposit will still be the “old” amount.
As usual, Social Security sends the payment electronically, though a small group still receives paper checks. Those may arrive slightly later, especially during the holiday mailing period.
Most banks release the funds early in the morning, though some credit unions may post them a few hours later. That timing difference doesn’t affect the benefit amount only when you can see it in your account.
How Social Security schedules December
The SSA divides its monthly calendar into four groups. The first is for those who collect Supplemental Security Income (SSI), paid on the 1st. The remaining three groups depend entirely on birthdays. That is why the December 10 round is so important: it’s the earliest Wednesday for the main retirement program.
There are no special holiday adjustments this month. Even with Christmas and New Year’s around the corner, the dates stay exactly as the SSA planned, making December one of the most predictable months of the year for beneficiaries.
Looking ahead to the January increase
Once December’s deposit clears, the next check will already include the COLA bump for 2026. That increase is designed to offset price changes from the previous year and helps keep purchasing power steady for retirees and SSDI recipients.
Many households use the December payment to manage end-of-year expenses and the January one to reset their budget with the updated amount.
The next Social Security check arrives Wednesday, December 10, delivering up to $4,018 for those in the first birthday group. It’s the final payment before the 2026 COLA raises all benefits. With a steady schedule and no holiday changes, beneficiaries can expect the deposit right on time.