Most people who receive Social Security retirement benefits will see their monthly payments in December 2025 as usual — with checks and direct deposits distributed according to the Social Security Administration’s standard schedule.
However, some confusion has surfaced as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients will receive two payments during the month of December. While SSI and Social Security are separate programs, about half of SSI recipients also receive Social Security, which is why the distinction matters.
Social Security retirement payment dates for December 2025
If you receive regular Social Security benefits (not SSI), your payment will arrive on one of the following dates, based on your birthdate and when you first began collecting benefits:
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Wednesday, Dec. 3: For those who started receiving Social Security before May 1997
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Wednesday, Dec. 10: For birthdates between the 1st and 10th
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Wednesday, Dec. 17: For birthdates between the 11th and 20th
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Wednesday, Dec. 24: For birthdates between the 21st and 31st
You can also view the SSA’s full 2025 payment calendar on its official website.
Why some people will receive two payments in December
People who receive only SSI benefits will receive two payments in December. The first deposit date — Monday, Dec. 1 — is the December monthly payment. The second payment will be issued roughly four weeks later — on Wednesday, Dec. 31 — and is the January 2026 monthly payment. The second payment will be made within December because the usual deposit date — the first of the month — lands on a holiday – New Year’s Day. This is standard SSA policy: when the first falls on a weekend or federal holiday, SSI payments are made on the preceding business day.
Need help with a missing Social Security payment?
If your scheduled payment date has passed and you haven’t received your payment, the SSA recommends waiting three additional mailing days before contacting them, as the majority of payments are issued electronically and arrive on time.
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To speak with someone at the SSA, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778) weekdays between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. local time.
Find a Social Security office near you
To find the field office closest to you, go to ssa.gov/locator and enter your ZIP code.
Social Security offices in upstate New York
Here are several SSA office locations in upstate New York state (outside NYC and Long Island):
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Albany County: 11 A Clinton Ave., Room 430, Federal Building
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Broome County: 2 Court St., Suite 300, Binghamton
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Erie County: 478 Main St., Suite 200, Buffalo; 1900 Ridge Road, Suite 120, West Seneca
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Monroe County: 200 E. Main St. (second floor), Rochester; 4050 W. Ridge Road (second floor), Greece
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Onondaga County: 100 S. Clinton St., Federal Building (fourth floor), Syracuse
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Social Security payment dates for December 2025: See schedule