Hailey
If you rely on Social Security, SSDI, or SSI, December is a major month for planning.
The calendar brings regular Wednesday payments for most retirees and disability beneficiaries, a fixed SSI date at the start of the month—and an extra SSI deposit on December 31, 2025 (that one is the January 2026 benefit paid early because of New Year’s Day).
Below is the simple, exact schedule you can trust.
Quick rules you need to know (apply to retirement, survivors, and SSDI):
- If you started benefits after May 1997, you’re paid by birthday group on a Wednesday:
- Birthdays 1–10: second Wednesday
- 11–20: third Wednesday
- 21–31: fourth Wednesday
- If you also receive SSI (or you started before May 1997), then SSI pays on the 1st, and Social Security pays on the 3rd of the month.
Also note: January 1 is a federal holiday, so SSI for January 2026 pays early on December 31, 2025.
December 2025 Pay Dates at a Glance
| Program | Who Gets Paid | December 2025 Deposit Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSI | All SSI recipients | Mon, Dec 1, 2025 | Normal monthly SSI date (the 1st). |
| Social Security (Retirement/Survivors/SSDI) | If you get both SSI & Social Security or you started before May 1997 | Wed, Dec 3, 2025 | Fixed “3rd of the month” schedule. |
| Social Security / SSDI – Birthday 1–10 | Filed after May 1997 | Wed, Dec 10, 2025 | Second Wednesday group. |
| Social Security / SSDI – Birthday 11–20 | Filed after May 1997 | Wed, Dec 17, 2025 | Third Wednesday group. |
| Social Security / SSDI – Birthday 21–31 | Filed after May 1997 | Wed, Dec 24, 2025 | Fourth Wednesday group. |
| Early SSI for January 2026 | All SSI recipients | Wed, Dec 31, 2025 | January 1 holiday → next month’s SSI arrives Dec 31. |
Why these dates?
The schedule staggers payments so systems and banks handle it smoothly.
Most beneficiaries (post-1997) follow the Wednesday-by-birthday system, while people who also get SSI (or who went on benefits before May 1997) stick with the simpler 1st/3rd schedule.
Also, if a regular deposit date falls on a weekend or holiday, the payment is moved to the prior business day—hence the January SSI arriving December 31.
Will holidays affect December 2025?
- Christmas Day (Thursday, December 25, 2025) does not change any of the Wednesday deposits.
- New Year’s Day (Thursday, January 1, 2026) does shift the January SSI to December 31, 2025.
What about the 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA)?
The 2026 COLA applies to December 2025 Social Security benefits payable in January 2026 and to SSI starting with the December 31, 2025 payment.
In other words, that December 31 SSI reflects the new 2026 amount.
Tips to avoid delays
- Use direct deposit or Direct Express® card to get funds faster.
- Banks may post deposits at different times; check with your bank or credit union for when they add the money to your account.
- If a payment hasn’t appeared on your scheduled date, allow the full business day and if starting from a mailed check allow a few extra days before contacting the agency.
December 2025 brings standard Wednesday deposits—December 10, 17 and 24—for most Social Security/SSDI recipients, December 3 for the “3rd-of-the-month” group, December 1 for regular SSI, and an extra SSI deposit on December 31 for January 2026.
Mark these dates now so you can plan bills, holiday spending, and start the new year with confidence.
FAQs
Do SSDI payments follow the same December dates as retirement benefits?
Yes. SSDI follows the same Wednesday-by-birthday schedule (or the 3rd of the month if you’re in the “pre-May 1997 / SSI” group).
Will I get two SSI payments in December 2025?
Yes: one regular SSI payment on December 1 and an early SSI payment on December 31 (which is your January 2026 SSI benefit).
What if my deposit doesn’t show on the morning of my date?
Bank/financial institution posting times may vary. If your payment doesn’t appear, allow through the end of the business day, and for mailed checks allow additional mailing days before reaching out.