Thousands of beneficiaries are waiting for their funds to hit their bank accounts this week. This Wednesday, December 17, the agency will send out a new round of payments to eligible recipients.
This specific payment date covers a wide range of beneficiaries, including retirees, disabled individuals, and survivors.
If you are wondering if your check is on the list for this Wednesday… it boils down to the exact day you were born.
Who is on the list for the December 17 payment?
The SSA organizes its payment schedule based on the day of the month a beneficiary was born—so far, it’s the most arbitrary and equalitarian method they have come up with. For this upcoming payment, the money is reserved for those whose birthday falls between the 11th and the 20th of any month.
If your birthday is in this window, your direct deposit should arrive on Wednesday, December 17.
This group includes:
- Retired workers who have earned enough work credits during their careers;
- Individuals receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) who meet the medical and work criteria; and
- Survivors such as widows, widowers, and dependent children with birth dates in this range.
How much money will beneficiaries receive?
The amount of money you will receive depends entirely on your personal earnings record and when you filed for benefits. For a select few who delayed retirement until age 70 and were high earners, the check could be as high as $5,108 (this is the maximum, though… and few people contribute the maximum for 35 years non-stop).
However, most people will see amounts that reflect the national averages for 2025. The average retired worker can expect a payment of approximately $2,013. For disabled workers on SSDI, the average monthly check is around $1,588. Survivors receiving benefits can expect an average payment of roughly $1,576. It is important to remember that these amounts are based on the 2025 rates (not the 2026 COLA we have talked about extendedly since October!).
The 2026 COLA is coming soon
This December 17 payment is one of the last checks that will be issued at the current 2025 rate. Starting in January 2026, a new Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) will increase benefits by 2.8%.
This increase is designed to help beneficiaries keep up with inflation and rising costs. For the average retiree, this means an increase of about $56 per month starting next year—however, it has been proven that the COLA is not actually matching up to the real costs a pensioner deals with in their daily life. SSI recipients will be the first to see this increase when their January payment arrives early on December 31.
What if I wasn’t born between the 11th and 20th?
If your birthday does not fall in the 11th to 20th range, your payment date is different; those born between the 1st and the 10th should have already received their payments on December 10.
Those born between the 21st and the 31st will receive their payments next week, on Wednesday, December 24 (yes, don’t worry, banks will be open despite being Christmas Eve!). Beneficiaries who started receiving Social Security before May 1997 received their funds on December 3.
Always check your “my Social Security” account online if you need to verify your specific payment status.
FAQs
But what if my payment doesn’t arrive on December 17?
If you have direct deposit, check with your bank first, as there may be a processing delay. If you receive a paper check, allow a few extra days for mail delivery before contacting the SSA… We do advise you to use direct deposits, though!
Does this payment include the new 2026 COLA increase?
Not yeat, the December 17 payment is still based on 2025 benefit rates. It is—in fact—the last payment with last year’s COLA rates. The 2.8% increase will be applied to payments issued for January 2026.
Why do some people get paid on the 3rd of the month?
You receive payments on the 3rd if you started receiving benefits before May 1997 (you little Dinosaur) or if you are a “dual beneficiary” receiving both SSI and Social Security.
Will banks be open on December 24 for the next payment?
Yes, December 24 (Christmas Eve) is not a federal banking holiday, so payments for the next group will be processed normally.