December 2025 payment dates and amounts

Social Security payments in December 2025 follow the same schedule as every other month. Your payment date depends on your birth date, not on the calendar month. The Social Security Administration (SSA) splits beneficiaries into three groups: those born on the 1st through the 10th of any month receive payments on the second Wednesday; those born the 11th through the 20th receive payments on the third Wednesday; those born the 21st through the 31st receive payments on the fourth Wednesday.

In December 2025, this means payments arrive on December 10th, 17th, or 24th, depending on your birth date group. If you were already receiving benefits in November 2025, your December amount will be the same unless you recently turned 70, experienced a major life change that SSA knows about, or had a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) take effect. The SSA announces the annual COLA in October for the following year, so any 2026 increase would not appear until January 2026 payments.

Key Takeaways

  • December Social Security payments arrive on the 10th, 17th, or 24th depending on whether you were born in the first, second, or third third of the month.
  • Your December payment amount stays the same as November unless you turned 70, reported a major life change to SSA, or received a new COLA notice.
  • The annual cost-of-living adjustment for 2026 is announced in October 2025 and takes effect in January 2026 payments, not December.
  • If you have not received a payment by the expected date, you can check your payment status through your my Social Security account or by calling 1-800-772-1213.

How to check your December payment status

The fastest way to see when your December payment will arrive is to log into your my Social Security account at ssa.gov. Once you are signed in, select "Benefit Verification" and then "Payment History." This page shows your most recent payments and the date of your next payment. If you see a payment scheduled for December 10th, 17th, or 24th, that is your confirmed date.

If you do not have a my Social Security account, you can create one using your email address, Social Security number, and a phone number or mailing address. The account takes a few minutes to set up. Alternatively, 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 and amount. The phone line is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time.

What to do if your December payment is late or missing

If your payment does not arrive by the end of the business day on your scheduled payment date, the first step is to check your bank account to make sure the deposit has not already posted. Bank processing times vary, and some deposits take an extra day to show up even after SSA sends them. If 24 hours have passed since your payment date and the money is not there, log into your my Social Security account and check the payment history again to confirm the payment was actually sent.

If SSA shows the payment was sent but your bank has not received it, contact your bank's customer service line and provide them with the payment date and amount. The bank can trace the deposit and tell you whether it is still in transit or if there was a problem on their end. If SSA shows no payment was sent at all, call 1-800-772-1213 to report the missing payment. Have your Social Security number and bank account information ready.

Changes that affect your December payment

If you turned 70 in November or early December 2025, your December payment may be different from November. When you reach 70, your benefit amount increases to reflect delayed retirement credits. However, SSA typically processes this change in the month after your birthday, so the increase might not show up until January 2026. You can call 1-800-772-1213 to confirm whether the change has been processed for December or will take effect in January.

If you reported a major life change to SSA — such as marriage, divorce, a change in living situation, or a change in income if you are still working — your December payment could be affected. SSA processes most changes within one to two months, so a change you reported in October or November might take effect in December. If you are unsure whether a change you reported has been processed, check your my Social Security account or call the number above.

Taxes and Medicare premiums in December

If you pay federal income tax on your Social Security benefits, December is when you may see the final withholding for the year. You can view your year-to-date tax withholding in your my Social Security account under "Benefit Verification." If you want to change your tax withholding for 2026, you can do so by completing Form W-4V and submitting it to SSA. Changes made in December will take effect in January 2026 payments.

If you pay Medicare Part B or Part D premiums, those are deducted from your Social Security payment each month, including December. Your December premium amount should match your November amount unless you received a notice of a premium change for 2026. Premium changes typically take effect in January, but if you received a notice saying your premium changes in December, the new amount will be deducted from your December payment.

Planning ahead for January 2026

December is a good time to review your benefit statement and plan for any changes coming in 2026. If you are still working and earning income, remember that the SSA has an earnings limit for people under full retirement age. In 2025, the limit is $23,400 per year; if you earn more than that, your benefits are reduced by $1 for every $2 over the limit. The 2026 limit will be announced by SSA in October 2025, so check your my Social Security account in early November to see if the limit has changed.

If you have not yet created a my Social Security account, December is a good time to set one up so you can track your 2026 payments and any COLA increase that takes effect in January. Having an account also makes it easier to report changes to SSA without having to call or visit an office.

Frequently Asked Questions

When exactly does Social Security deposit on the 10th, 17th, or 24th?

SSA sends the payment to your bank on that date, but your bank may take one to two business days to process and display it in your account. Most direct deposits appear the same day or the next business day. If the payment date falls on a weekend or holiday, SSA sends it the business day before.

Can I change my payment date if it does not work for my budget?

No. Your payment date is determined by your birth date and cannot be changed. However, you can change your payment method — for example, from direct deposit to a debit card — by contacting SSA at 1-800-772-1213 or through your my Social Security account.

What if I did not receive a December payment notice in the mail?

SSA does not send a notice every month. You should receive a notice only if your payment amount or date changes. Check your my Social Security account to confirm your payment date and amount, or call 1-800-772-1213 if you want written confirmation.

Does the December payment include a year-end bonus or extra amount?

No. Social Security does not pay bonuses or extra amounts in December. Your December payment is the same as your regular monthly benefit unless a change in your situation has been processed by SSA.

What if I need to report a change to SSA before the end of December?

You can report changes through your my Social Security account, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or by visiting your local Social Security office. Changes reported in December may take effect in January or February 2026, depending on the type of change and how quickly SSA can process it.