The Social Security Administration the federal agency people search for constantly under every name possible, from “SSA benefits” to “monthly Social Security checks” has confirmed its full December schedule for 2025. More than 7.4 million Americans who receive Supplemental Security Income will see two payments this month on top of their regular Social Security check.
The agency’s system has been criticized for years for being confusing, slow to update and full of different calendars. December is one of those months where beneficiaries really have to double-check dates to avoid surprises. The good news: the two SSI payments are guaranteed, and the retirement checks follow a predictable pattern based on birth dates.
Social Security Administration: How December 2025 Payments Will Roll Out
Social Security sends retirement benefits on Wednesdays, splitting them by your date of birth. It’s the same system used throughout the year, but December always calls for extra attention because of holidays and early disbursements.
For 2025, the agency confirmed that retirement checks will land on Dec. 10, Dec. 17 and Dec. 24, depending on when your birthday falls in the month. This structure keeps everything on track even with Christmas week cutting into the usual rhythm.
For SSI recipients, December is different. Because Jan. 1 is a federal holiday, the first 2026 SSI payment is pushed back to Dec. 31, 2025, which effectively creates two payments in the same month: Dec. 1 and Dec. 31. It’s important to note that this isn’t “extra money” — it’s simply the January payment arriving early.
Full Social Security December 2025 Payment Breakdown
The SSA’s December payment calendar for retirement benefits follows the standard birth-date schedule:
- Wednesday, Dec. 10 — Birthdays from the 1st to the 10th
- Wednesday, Dec. 17 — Birthdays from the 11th to the 20th
- Wednesday, Dec. 24 — Birthdays from the 21st to the 31st
People who get both Social Security and SSI usually follow the SSI schedule for that part of their benefits, so the two-payment setup applies to them as well.
Why SSI Pays Twice in December
The rule is simple: if a payment date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, SSI pushes the deposit to the previous business day. Because Jan. 1 is always a holiday, and Jan. 1, 2026, is no exception, the payment moves up to the final weekday of December.
This is why SSI beneficiaries will see deposits on Dec. 1 and Dec. 31. Regular Social Security retirement and disability checks do not follow this rule — only SSI does.
It’s a system the agency has used for decades, but many beneficiaries still miss the explanation and think the second payment is a bonus or a mistake. It is neither. It’s simply the January benefit packed into the last day of the year.
Complete SSI Schedule for the Rest of 2025
For anyone receiving SSI, the calendar is much simpler than the retirement schedule. The Social Security Administration has only two dates left for 2025:
- Monday, Dec. 1
- Wednesday, Dec. 31
Both will show up as separate deposits, and both represent regular monthly benefits.
What Beneficiaries Should Keep in Mind for Year-End Payments
The agency recommends verifying your direct-deposit account, because end-of-year payments sometimes hit early depending on how fast your bank processes federal funds. Most beneficiaries won’t need to take action, but keeping an eye on your account in late November and the last week of December is always smart.
If you receive both SSI and Social Security retirement benefits, expect the SSI payments to come first and the retirement check to come on its usual Wednesday. These deposits will remain separate.
For millions of seniors, adults with disabilities and low-income families, the December and New Year payments help stabilize the month’s expenses. While the system can look messy from the outside, the schedule for 2025 is already locked in — and December’s double SSI payment is guaranteed.