Millions of Americans rely on Social Security payments, and as the end of the year approaches, the timeline for December benefits is crucial for many recipients. The last group among the more than 71 million individuals receiving regular Social Security payments will see their benefits disbursed this week, marking a significant conclusion to the year’s payment schedule. Following this, only one additional Supplemental Security Income (SSI) check will be distributed in 2025, on December 31.
For those awaiting their December payments, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has outlined a clear schedule. The December payments for retirees and disability beneficiaries who started receiving benefits post-May 1997 will arrive as follows:
– December 10 for birthdays between the 1st and 10th
– December 17 for birthdays between the 11th and 20th
– December 24 for birthdays from the 21st to the end of the month
Conversely, individuals who began receiving benefits before May 1997, or who collect both Social Security and SSI, already received their payments on December 3.
The SSI payment schedule has also been thoughtfully arranged. Recipients will find their December payment was distributed on December 1, with another check to arrive on December 31, 2025. Notably, January’s payment will be issued a day early due to New Year’s Day falling on a weekend.
Looking ahead to next year, the SSA has announced a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security and SSI benefits, effective January 2026. This increase translates to an average boost of around $56 per month for retirees. Although this adjustment is lower than historical averages, it still reflects the agency’s commitment to ensuring benefits match current economic realities. SSA Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano emphasized the importance of this adjustment as a fundamental aspect of providing continued security to beneficiaries.
It’s also noteworthy that for tax year 2026, changes in federal tax laws could significantly impact retirees. The “Big Beautiful Bill” has raised standard deductions and introduced senior-specific deductions to help more retirees stay below combined income thresholds that could trigger taxes on their benefits. For example, the new senior deduction allows individuals aged 65 and older to claim an additional deduction of up to $6,000—$12,000 for married couples—against their taxable income.
Importantly, the SSA has also begun cracking down on outstanding overpayments. While this initiative aims to recover funds erroneously issued to beneficiaries, it has resulted in some individuals seeing a reduction in their monthly benefits, potentially by up to 50%. The agency encourages those affected to reach out for repayment options and explore waiver requests if the overpayment was not their fault.
As the new year approaches, the SSA’s adjustments to both benefits and tax implications promise to help maintain the financial security of millions. It is prudent for beneficiaries to stay informed about upcoming changes to effectively manage their finances in 2026.