Social Security benefits to go out on Dec. 10: here’s who gets a payment
Next Wednesday, the Social Security Administration (SSA) is due to send out benefits to millions of recipients across the U.S., in what is the third payment run on the agency’s distribution schedule for December.
Who’s getting a Social Security payment on Weds., Dec. 10?
On Dec. 10, payments are to be sent out to certain recipients of retirement benefits, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or survivor pay.
Of the nearly 70.2 million Americans who receive retirement, SSDI or survivor benefits, most receive their money on the second, third or fourth Wednesday in each month.
A beneficiary’s designated Wednesday is determined by the date of birth of the worker whose Social Security taxes have accumulated the benefits entitlement.
Next Wednesday’s payments cover birthdays between the 1st and 10th of each month. The following two Wednesdays – Dec. 17 and 24 – will then account for birthdays between the 11th and 31st of each month.
At a glance – Dec. schedule for 2nd, 3rd & 4th Wednesday payments:
- Born on 1st to 10th of each month: Weds., Dec. 10
- Born on 11th to 20th of each month: Weds., Dec. 17
- Born on 21st to 31st of each month: Weds., Dec. 24
[embedded content]
Who doesn’t get their benefits on the 2nd, 3rd or 4th Weds. in Dec.?
- Certain long-term Social Security recipients
If you started claiming retirement, SSDI or survivor benefits before May 1997, your check typically goes out on the third day of each month, irrespective of your date of birth.
These long-term beneficiaries were therefore scheduled to be paid for December on Wednesday, Dec. 3.
- SSI beneficiaries
The 7.4 million beneficiaries of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) scheme – a separate SSA program for low-income individuals who are over 65 or have a disability – are normally paid on the first day of each month.
Consequently, December’s SSI payments were due to be made early on Monday, Dec. 1.
- Dual beneficiaries (SSI + regular Social Security)
Just over 2.5 million people in the U.S. claim both SSI and one of the SSA’s retirement, SSDI or survivor benefits.
These recipients were scheduled to get the former on Dec. 1, followed by the latter on Dec. 3.
At a glance – Dec. payment dates not determined by birthday:
- SSI recipients: Mon., Dec. 1
- Pre-May ’97 Social Sec. beneficiaries: Weds., Dec. 3
- Dual recipients: SSI on Dec. 1; Social Sec. on Dec. 3
You can take a look at the SSA’s complete benefits-distribution schedule for 2025 in this online calendar. The agency has also published its payment schedule for 2026.
How much is paid to Social Security retirement beneficiaries?
Retired workers – who represent the majority of the U.S.’s Social Security recipients – are paid $2,009.50 a month on average, according to the SSA’s most recent figures.
Published this week, the agency’s latest Social Security fact sheet provides data for September, rather than the past month. This is apparently because of the disruption caused by October and November’s record-breaking, 43-day federal government shutdown.
How much do disability, survivor and SSI recipients get?
According to the SSA, disabled workers receive a monthly average of $1,584.46, and recipients of survivor benefits get an average of $1,575.61 a month. Beneficiaries of the SSI scheme are paid $717.20 on average each month.
[embedded content]
Benefits to get COLA increase
This fall, the SSA confirmed that its benefits recipients will get a 2.8% increase in their 2026 payments. This comes as part of the agency’s annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). For recipients of retirement benefits, this will lead to an average rise of $56 per month, the SSA says.
The first recipients of the adjusted monthly payments will be beneficiaries of the SSI program: their January money is to go out on December 31 – a day earlier than normal, because New Year’s Day is a federal holiday.
How does Social Security send out benefits payments?
The SSA says it is “in most cases” no longer issuing paper checks. Instead, the agency gives beneficiaries two ways of receiving their payments electronically:
- Direct deposit
If they provide the SSA with their bank details, beneficiaries can receive their money by direct deposit. You can update your bank-account information on the agency’s “my Social Security” online portal.
- Debit Express Card
Recipients can also have their benefits loaded onto the Direct Express Card, a special debit card for federal payments made to people who do not have a bank account.
Related stories
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.