The first Social Security payments in December will be distributed in a week for Michigan beneficiaries with birth dates from the 1st to the 10th.
Social Security benefits — paid mostly to recipients who are older or retired — are typically paid on Wednesdays. If your birthday falls between the first and 10th days of the month, your payments are issued on the second Wednesday of the month (this month, that lands on Dec. 10), according to the Social Security Administration’s calendar.
Beneficiaries born between the 11th and 20th get paid on the third Wednesday (Dec. 17), and those born after the 20th of the month are paid on the fourth Wednesday of the month (Dec. 24), according to the SSA calendar. Social Security recipients who began getting benefits before May 1997 are paid on Dec. 3.
Following the December payments, recipients will get bigger checks, thanks to a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, increase. Payments will rise by about $56, on average, per month, when the COLA takes effect in January 2026, the Social Security Administration said.
Here’s more on Social Security payments and the 2026 COLA increase.
When will I receive my Social Security check this month?
The Social Security Administration’s calendars of benefit payments for December 2025 and January 2026 are available online.
Regular Social Security retirement benefits for December will be sent out on the SSA’s usual schedule:
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Wednesday, Dec 10: Birth dates between the first and 10th of the month.
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Wednesday, Dec. 17: Birth dates between the 11th and 20th of the month.
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Wednesday, Dec. 24: Birth dates between the 21st and 31st of the month.
January 2026 Social Security retirement benefits will also be sent out on the SSA’s usual schedule:
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Wednesday, Jan. 14: Birth dates between the first and 10th of the month.
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Wednesday, Jan. 21: Birth dates between the 11th and 20th of the month.
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Wednesday, Jan. 28: Birth dates between the 21st and 31st of the month.
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How can I check my Social Security status?
Recipients may create a “my Social Security” account via ID.me or Login.gov on the SSA’s website to set up direct deposit, access annual COLA amounts, change your address, check the status of an application and more.
SSI payment schedule for December, January
Recipients of Supplemental Security Income checks are typically issued payments on the first business day of the month, Monday, Dec. 1. Since Jan. 1, 2026 is a holiday (New Year’s Day), payments for January will be Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. SSI checks will be sent out on the following dates into early 2026, according to the SSA calendar:
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Monday, Dec. 1, 2025 (Check for December 2025)
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Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025 (Check for January 2026)
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Friday, Jan. 30, 2026 (Check for February 2026)
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Friday, Feb. 27, 2026 (Check for March 2026)
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Wednesday, April 1, 2026 (Check for April 2026)
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Friday, May 1, 2026 (Check for May 2026)
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Monday, June 1, 2026 (Check for June 2026)
When will the COLA adjustment take effect? What is changing?
The 2.8% increase will begin in January 2026. Increased SSI payments will begin with the Dec. 31, 2025, payment, according to the U.S. Social Security Administration.
Here are the changes being enforced in 2026 to COLA, according to the Social Security Administration:
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The maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax will increase to $184,500.
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The earnings limit for workers who are younger than full retirement age (67 years old) will increase to $24,480. (there will be a $1 deduction for each $2 earned over $24,480.)
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The earnings limit for people reaching their full retirement age in 2026 will increase to $65,160. (there will be a $1 deduction for each $3 earned over $65,160, until the month the worker turns full retirement age.)
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There is no limit on earnings for workers who are at full retirement age or older for the entire year.
What is the retirement age?
Seniors may begin receiving social security benefits as early as 62, though they will be limited benefits. To receive full benefits, people currently must be 67 years old, which is known as the “full retirement age,” according to the U.S. Social Security Administration.
Social security offices in Michigan: Where is an office near me?
There are 48 offices in Michigan. To find an office near you recipients may use the office locator by entering your zip code on the Social Security’s website.
Beneficiaries may make an appointment online, though you will need to answer a few questions beforehand, as some tasks (such as, applying for benefits, or replacing a Social Security card) can be solved online.
What is SSI?
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a benefit program for persons with limited income or resources who are aged 65 or older, and who are blind or have a qualifying disability. Children with qualifying disabilities are also eligible, according to the SSA’s website. Adults who qualify for SSI typically do not have monthly wages above $2,019.
If you think you may be eligible for SSI, you can begin the application process online, in person at your local Social Security office, or by calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time during the work week.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Social Security payments for December 2025. Schedule, COLA, SSI
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