Social Security benefits will be paid on December 10, 2025, for millions of retirees, disability recipients, and survivors whose birthdays fall between the 1st and 10th of the month. The SSA’s December schedule includes several payment dates, each linked to a specific birthdate range.
Who Will Receive the Social Security Payment on December 10
The payment scheduled for Wednesday, December 10, 2025 will go to beneficiaries whose birthdays fall between the 1st and 10th of any month. This applies to retirement beneficiaries, disability (SSDI) recipients, and survivors under the standard Social Security program.
The Social Security Administration follows this structure every month unless a holiday shifts the date. Since December 10, 2025, falls on a regular business day, the schedule remains unchanged. People who qualify should expect their funds through direct deposit or their Direct Express card, depending on the method registered with the agency.
This group is part of the SSA’s effort to spread millions of payments across three different Wednesdays. By dividing beneficiaries by birth date, payout timing becomes predictable and stable for those who depend on it.
The Social Security Administration announced Supplemental Security Income recipients will receive two checks in December on Dec. 1 and Dec. 31, in addition to their regular Social Security benefit check. The regular check will be sent either on Dec. 10, 17 or 24, depending on the… pic.twitter.com/hx0xXxRUKG
— NewsNation (@NewsNation) November 29, 2025
Complete December 2025 Social Security Payment Schedule
The SSA assigns payment dates based on a beneficiary’s birth date. Below is the verified December 2025 schedule for standard Social Security retirement, survivor, and SSDI payments.
Monthly Payment Chart
| Birthdate Range | December 2025 Payment Date |
|---|---|
| 1 – 10 | Wednesday, December 10 |
| 11 – 20 | Wednesday, December 17 |
| 21 – 31 | Wednesday, December 24 |
This schedule excludes individuals paid under older rules or under the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. Their dates follow different guidelines, which are explained in the next section.
Who Does Not Receive a December 10 Payment
Some beneficiaries receive payments earlier in the month because they are covered by special timing rules.
1. Long-Term Beneficiaries (Before May 1997)
People who began receiving Social Security retirement, survivor benefits, or SSDI before May 1997 follow a fixed schedule. They are paid on the 3rd day of each month.
For December 2025, these payments were issued on December 3.
2. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Recipients
SSI follows separate rules. Recipients receive their monthly benefit on the 1st day of the month.
For December 2025, SSI beneficiaries received payment on December 1 because the date did not conflict with a weekend or holiday.
3. People Receiving Both SSI and Social Security
Dual-benefit recipients get SSI on December 1 and Social Security on December 3.
This two-payment structure prevents both benefits from arriving on the same day.
These groups do not receive the December 10 payment because their benefits fall under a different timetable.
Average Benefit Amounts for 2025
The amount issued on December 10 will depend on each person’s earnings history and eligibility category. Based on 2025 SSA figures, the average payments are:
- Average retirement benefit: $2,009.50 per month
- Average SSDI benefit: $1,584.46 per month
- Average survivor benefit: $1,575.61 per month
- Average SSI payment: $717.20 per month
These averages are based on national data and may not reflect an individual’s exact payment amount.
Delivery Methods Used by Social Security
The Social Security Administration no longer issues most payments by paper check. Payments are released using two methods that offer secure and reliable delivery.
Direct Deposit
Most beneficiaries receive money directly into their bank account. This method provides the fastest processing time and reduces the risk of delayed or lost payments.
Direct Express Debit Card
People without a bank account can receive their monthly deposit on a Direct Express card. The card functions like a standard debit card and allows withdrawals, purchases, and balance checks.
If a beneficiary needs to update account details, they may do so through the SSA’s online portal to avoid interruptions in their payments.
Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Coming in Early 2026
A new 2.8% COLA increase will take effect beginning January 2026. This adjustment is intended to help benefits keep pace with inflation. The increase will apply to retirement benefits, SSDI, survivor payments, and SSI.
The updated amount will first appear in January payments. However, because January 1 is a federal holiday, some SSI beneficiaries may receive their adjusted payment a day earlier under standard payment-shift rules.
This adjustment does not change any December 2025 payment dates. It only affects benefit amounts starting the following month.
Steps Beneficiaries Should Take Before December Payments
Here is the single allowed listing section:
- Review the December schedule to confirm your correct payment date.
- Check that your bank or Direct Express information is up to date.
- Allow additional business days if a payment does not appear immediately.
- Prepare for updated benefit amounts beginning in January 2026 due to the COLA increase.
These steps help avoid missed or delayed payments during the end-of-year period when banking volumes are higher.
