Payment Schedule and Timing Shifts in December

Social Security payment dates in December 2025 follow the same schedule as every month: payments go out on the 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th, 17th, 18th, 24th, 25th, and 31st, depending on your birth date and when you started receiving benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) does not change the payment calendar itself in December, but the holiday schedule affects when some payments arrive.

If your regular payment date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the SSA sends your payment on the last business day before that date. In December 2025, Christmas falls on a Monday and Kwanzaa begins on December 26th, but neither shifts the standard payment schedule. New Year's Day 2026 falls on a Wednesday, so it does not affect December payments either. Check your Social Security statement or the SSA website to confirm your specific payment date — it does not change year to year.

Key Takeaways

  • Social Security payment dates in December 2025 remain the same as other months, based on your birth date and when you began receiving benefits.
  • If your payment date lands on a weekend or federal holiday, the SSA sends money on the last business day before that date.
  • The 2025 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) of 2.5 percent was already applied to your January 2025 payment and does not change in December.
  • Medicare Part B premiums for 2026 are set and will appear in your December or January payment, depending on how you receive benefits.
  • Tax withholding and voluntary deductions remain the same unless you made a change request earlier in the year.

The 2025 Cost-of-Living Adjustment Already in Effect

The 2025 COLA of 2.5 percent took effect in January 2025 and remains in place through December. This means your December 2025 payment is the same amount you have been receiving since January — there is no additional increase or decrease in December. The SSA announced the 2.5 percent figure in October 2024, and it applied automatically to all beneficiaries receiving retirement, survivor, and disability benefits.

The 2026 COLA will be announced in October 2025 and take effect in January 2026. Your December 2025 payment will not reflect any 2026 adjustment. If you want to know what your payment might be in 2026, you can check the SSA's COLA page in October, but the exact amount depends on inflation data released in September 2025.

Medicare Part B Premium Changes for 2026

Medicare Part B premiums for 2026 are set at $177.90 per month for most beneficiaries — an increase from $174.70 in 2025. If you receive Social Security and have Part B premiums deducted from your payment, you will see the new amount begin in December 2025 or January 2026, depending on how your account is set up. Those who pay premiums directly to Medicare will receive a bill from their insurance carrier.

Higher-income beneficiaries pay more under the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA). If your income in 2023 was above certain thresholds, you already pay a surcharge on top of the base premium. The 2026 surcharge amounts are based on 2024 income and will be reflected in your 2026 bills. You can review your estimated 2026 premium on your Medicare.gov account or call 1-800-MEDICARE to confirm the amount before December.

Tax Withholding and Voluntary Deductions Remain Unchanged

Federal income tax withholding and any voluntary deductions you set up (such as state taxes, insurance premiums, or loan payments) continue at the same rate in December unless you submitted a change request earlier in the year. The SSA does not automatically adjust withholding in December. If you want to change your tax withholding for 2026, you must submit Form W-4V (Voluntary Withholding Request) to the SSA before the end of December 2025.

You can request a change online through your my Social Security account, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or by mailing the form to your local Social Security office. Changes submitted in December typically take effect in January 2026. If you are unsure whether you are having taxes withheld, log into your account or check your payment stub to see what deductions appear.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Payment Dates and Federal Benefit Rate

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments in December 2025 go out on the 1st of the month, as they do every month. The federal benefit rate for SSI in 2025 is $943 per month for an individual and $1,415 for a couple — the same rate that has been in effect since January 2025. These amounts do not change in December.

If December 1st falls on a weekend or holiday, the SSA sends SSI payments on the last business day before that date. In 2025, December 1st is a Monday, so payments arrive on schedule. If you receive SSI and your state adds a supplement, that amount also remains the same in December. State supplements vary by location and are not adjusted in December.

Representative Payee and Beneficiary Reporting Requirements

If you manage Social Security benefits for someone else as a representative payee, you are required to report any changes in the beneficiary's circumstances within 10 days. Changes that must be reported include a move to a new address, a change in living situation, marriage or divorce, return to work, or a change in income. December is not a special reporting month — the same rules apply year-round.

The SSA conducts random payee reviews and may request accounting of how benefits were spent. If you receive a letter asking for a report, respond within the deadline stated in the letter. You can submit reports online through your my Social Security account if you are the payee, or by phone at 1-800-772-1213.

What Does Not Change in December 2025

Your monthly benefit amount stays the same in December — it will not increase or decrease unless you made a specific request to change your payment or you reached full retirement age and delayed claiming (which increases your payment by 8 percent per year). Your payment method (direct deposit, check, or debit card) does not change in December unless you requested a change. Your beneficiary status and the people listed on your account remain the same unless you notified the SSA of a change.

The age at which you can claim Social Security does not change. Full retirement age remains 66 and 2 months for people born in 1955, and 67 for those born in 1960 or later. Early claiming at 62 still reduces your payment by roughly 30 percent compared to waiting until full retirement age. These rules are set by federal law and do not shift seasonally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my Social Security payment be higher in December because of the holidays?

No. Your December payment is the same amount you receive every month. The 2025 COLA of 2.5 percent was applied in January and does not increase further in December. Holiday schedules may affect when your payment arrives, but not the amount.

When will I see the 2026 COLA in my payment?

The 2026 COLA will be announced in October 2025 and take effect in January 2026. Your first payment reflecting the 2026 increase will arrive in January 2026. December 2025 payments are based on the 2025 COLA only.

Do I need to do anything in December to keep receiving benefits?

No action is required in December unless you had a change in your circumstances (such as a move, marriage, or return to work). If you had a change, report it within 10 days to the SSA. Otherwise, your benefits continue automatically.

What if my payment date falls on Christmas or New Year's?

Christmas 2025 is a Monday and New Year's Day 2026 is a Wednesday, so neither affects December 2025 payments. If your regular payment date were to fall on a weekend or federal holiday, the SSA sends your payment on the last business day before that date.

How do I know if my Medicare Part B premium is changing for 2026?

The 2026 base Part B premium is $177.90 per month. Log into your Medicare.gov account to see your specific 2026 premium, which may be higher if you have IRMAA surcharges based on your 2024 income. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE to confirm your amount.