Social Security payment schedule for December 2025
Social Security payments in December 2025 follow the same schedule as every other month: they arrive on the third, fourth, or fifth Wednesday of the month, depending on your birth date. The Social Security Administration (SSA) does not send all payments on one day. Instead, they stagger payments across three Wednesdays to spread the workload of processing millions of transactions.
Your payment date is fixed based on when you were born. If your birthday falls between the 1st and 10th of any month, you receive payment on the second Wednesday. If you were born between the 11th and 20th, you get the third Wednesday. If your birthday is between the 21st and 31st, your payment arrives on the fourth Wednesday. This schedule applies to December 2025 and every month going forward, unless you are among the small group still receiving payments on the first of the month (which only applies to people who began receiving benefits before May 1997).
December 2025 payment dates are December 3, December 10, December 17, and December 24. If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) instead of Social Security retirement or disability benefits, your payment arrives on the first of the month — December 1, 2025 — unless that date falls on a weekend or holiday, in which case it comes the day before.
Key Takeaways
- Social Security retirement and disability payments arrive on the third, fourth, or fifth Wednesday of December 2025 based on your birth date, not on a single day for everyone.
- Your specific payment date stays the same every month: it is determined by whether you were born in the first, second, or third third of the month.
- SSI payments arrive on December 1, 2025, unless that falls on a weekend or holiday.
- Payments are deposited directly to your bank account, prepaid debit card, or mailed as a check, depending on how you set up your account with Social Security.
How to find your exact payment date
The Social Security Administration publishes your payment date in your online account through my Social Security, the official portal where you can view your benefit information. To log in, go to ssa.gov and select "my Social Security" in the upper right corner. You will need to create an account or sign in with an existing username and password.
Once logged in, select "Benefit Verification" or "View Payment History" to see the dates your payments are scheduled to arrive. The site shows your payment date for the current month and upcoming months. If you do not have internet access or prefer not to create an online account, you can call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and speak with a representative who can tell you your payment date.
Your payment date does not change from month to month. Once you know it for December 2025, that same date applies in January 2026, February 2026, and beyond. The only exception is if you change how you receive your payment — for example, switching from direct deposit to a mailed check — which may shift your date by a few days.
How December payments are delivered
Social Security payments are delivered in one of three ways: direct deposit to a bank account, a prepaid debit card issued by the SSA, or a paper check mailed to your address. Direct deposit is the fastest and most find method. Money arrives in your account on your scheduled payment date, and you can access it when ready.
If you receive a prepaid debit card (sometimes called a Direct Express card), your payment is loaded onto the card on your payment date. You can withdraw cash from ATMs or use the card to make purchases. Paper checks are mailed several days before your payment date to account for mail delivery time, so you may receive it a few days early.
You can change your payment method through my Social Security or by calling 1-800-772-1213. If you switch methods close to your payment date, the change may not take effect until the following month. The SSA recommends setting up direct deposit if possible, because it eliminates the risk of a check being lost or delayed in the mail.
What to do if your December payment is late or missing
If your payment does not arrive by the day after your scheduled payment date, check my Social Security first to confirm the date you should have received it. Sometimes payments are delayed by one or two business days due to banking system issues or holidays. If the delay extends beyond two business days, or if your payment date has passed and you have not received anything, contact the Social Security Administration.
Call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to report a missing payment. Have your Social Security number ready. A representative can check whether the payment was sent and, if so, where it went. If the payment was sent to a bank account, the SSA can work with your bank to locate it. If a check was mailed and lost, the SSA can issue a replacement or arrange for a direct deposit instead.
If you receive benefits through a representative payee (someone who manages your benefits on your behalf), contact that person first to confirm they have not already received and deposited your payment. Then contact Social Security if the issue is not resolved.
Cost-of-living adjustment and December 2025 payments
The Social Security Administration announces a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) each October, which takes effect in January of the following year. The December 2025 payment you receive will reflect the COLA that was announced in October 2024 and went into effect in January 2025. You will not see a change in your December payment amount compared to November 2025.
The next COLA adjustment will be announced in October 2025 and will first appear in your January 2026 payment. Your December 2025 payment amount is the same amount you have been receiving since January 2025, unless your individual circumstances changed — for example, if you turned 70 and delayed claiming benefits, or if you returned to work and your earnings affected your benefit amount.
Taxes and December Social Security payments
Social Security benefits may be subject to federal income tax, depending on your total income for the year. The amount of tax owed is not withheld from your December payment automatically unless you requested it. If you expect to owe taxes on your benefits, you can arrange for federal income tax withholding by completing Form W-4V and submitting it to the Social Security Administration.
To request withholding, read Form W-4V from ssa.gov, fill it out, and mail it to your local Social Security office. You can find your local office address on the SSA website. Alternatively, you can request withholding by calling 1-800-772-1213. Withholding typically begins the month after you submit your request, so if you submit it in December, withholding may not start until January 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I receive my Social Security payment on December 25 or 26 if my payment date falls on Christmas?
No. If your scheduled payment date falls on December 25, 2025 (Christmas), the Social Security Administration will deposit your payment on December 24, 2025, the business day before the holiday. Federal holidays do not shift your regular payment date; instead, payments are moved up to the last business day before the holiday.
Can I get my December payment early if I need money before my scheduled date?
No. Social Security payments are sent on a fixed schedule based on your birth date, and there is no option to receive an early payment. If you need money before your payment arrives, contact a local community information program or nonprofit organization that may offer emergency financial support.
What happens to my December payment if I die before it arrives?
If a beneficiary dies before their payment is deposited, the payment must be returned to the Social Security Administration. Family members or the executor of the estate should contact Social Security when ready at 1-800-772-1213 to report the death. The SSA will stop future payments and provide information about any remaining benefits the family may be may have access to to receive.
Does the December payment include a bonus or extra amount?
No. December payments are the same amount as every other month. There is no year-end bonus or extra payment in December. Your payment amount is determined by your age, your work history, and when you began receiving benefits — not by the calendar month.
Can I change my payment date if December 24 does not work for me?
No. Your payment date is determined by your birth date and cannot be changed. However, you can change how you receive your payment — for example, switching from direct deposit to a mailed check — though this may shift your delivery date slightly. You cannot request a different day of the month.