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The Ultimate December 2025 Payment Schedule: 7 Critical Dates, Double Checks, And The New 2026 COLA Hike

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The holiday season is a busy time for federal benefits, and December 2025 is no exception, featuring a critical double-payment date and the first checks reflecting the new 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). With New Year's Day falling on a Thursday in 2026, the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) must adjust their schedules, resulting in two payments for some recipients hitting bank accounts before the end of the year.

This comprehensive guide provides the official, confirmed payment schedule for December 2025, covering Social Security retirement, SSDI, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and VA Disability benefits. The information below is accurate as of December 19, 2025, and includes the highly anticipated details on the new 2026 COLA and Medicare Part B premium, which will impact your financial planning for the coming year.

The 7 Most Important Payment Dates in December 2025

December 2025 is unique because standard payment rules dictate that when a payment date falls on a weekend or a federal holiday, the payment is moved to the previous business day. This rule triggers two separate payments for some recipients within the month of December.

Here is the definitive, confirmed schedule for all major federal benefits in December 2025:

  • Monday, December 1: SSI Payment for December 2025.
  • Wednesday, December 3: Social Security/SSDI Payment for beneficiaries who began receiving benefits before May 1997.
  • Wednesday, December 10: Social Security/SSDI Payment for beneficiaries with a birth date between the 1st and 10th of the month.
  • Wednesday, December 17: Social Security/SSDI Payment for beneficiaries with a birth date between the 11th and 20th of the month.
  • Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve): Social Security/SSDI Payment for beneficiaries with a birth date between the 21st and 31st of the month.
  • Wednesday, December 31: SSI Payment for January 2026 (Early Payment).
  • Wednesday, December 31: VA Disability Payment for December 2025 (Early Payment).

The Crucial December 31st Double-Payment Event

The most important date to circle on your calendar is Wednesday, December 31, 2025.

This date will see a double-payment event for two major groups of recipients, which is a key component of the December 2025 payment schedule.

1. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Recipients

SSI recipients will receive their usual December payment on December 1st. However, since January 1, 2026 (New Year's Day) is a federal holiday, the SSI payment for January 2026 is legally required to be moved up to the last business day of the preceding month.

Therefore, SSI beneficiaries will receive their second check of the month on December 31st, 2025. This early payment will include the new, higher 2026 COLA rate.

2. VA Disability Compensation Recipients

VA Disability Compensation is typically paid on the first day of the following month. The payment for December 2025 benefits would normally be due on January 1, 2026.

Because January 1st is a federal holiday, the payment is advanced to the last business day of the month, which is also December 31, 2025. This payment will reflect the 2.5% COLA increase applied to VA benefits for 2025.

Social Security Retirement and SSDI Schedule by Birth Date

Social Security retirement and disability (SSDI) payments follow a consistent schedule based on the beneficiary's day of birth. Unlike SSI and VA, these payments are only moved up if the scheduled Wednesday falls on a federal holiday, which is rare.

The December 2025 Social Security payment dates are as follows:

  • If your birthday is between the 1st and 10th: Your check will be deposited on the second Wednesday of the month, December 10, 2025.
  • If your birthday is between the 11th and 20th: Your check will be deposited on the third Wednesday of the month, December 17, 2025.
  • If your birthday is between the 21st and 31st: Your check will be deposited on the fourth Wednesday of the month, December 24, 2025 (Christmas Eve).

Note on Christmas Eve: While December 24th is Christmas Eve, the Social Security payment is confirmed to be on this date. The SSA’s schedule is rigid, and the payment is not typically moved unless the scheduled Wednesday is a major federal holiday like Christmas Day itself.

Critical 2026 Updates: COLA and Medicare Part B Premiums

For recipients of Social Security and SSI, the December 2025 payment schedule is a bridge to the new year, which brings significant financial changes. The January 2026 benefit, paid in December (for SSI) or January (for Social Security), will be the first to reflect the newly announced Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) and updated Medicare premiums.

The Confirmed 2026 COLA Increase

The Social Security Administration (SSA) officially announced that the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2026 will be 2.8%.

This increase is applied to the Social Security and SSI benefits paid starting in January 2026. For SSI recipients, this higher amount will be reflected in the early payment they receive on December 31, 2025. For all other Social Security beneficiaries, the higher 2.8% COLA will appear in their payment received in January 2026.

This COLA adjustment is a crucial entity, as it is intended to help beneficiaries keep pace with inflation, which is measured by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W).

The New 2026 Medicare Part B Premium

A major factor that determines the final amount of a Social Security check is the Medicare Part B premium, which is often deducted directly from the benefit payment. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) confirmed the new standard monthly premium for 2026.

The 2026 standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B enrollees will be $202.90.

This represents an increase of $17.90 from the 2025 standard premium of $185.00.

For many Social Security beneficiaries, the 2.8% COLA increase will be partially or entirely offset by this substantial increase in the Part B premium. High-income earners will also face higher Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) surcharges, further reducing their net benefit.

Key Entities and LSI Keywords for Financial Planning

Understanding the December 2025 payment schedule requires familiarity with several core financial and governmental entities. Here are the key terms that define your benefit payments and future financial outlook:

  • Social Security Administration (SSA): The federal agency responsible for Social Security (Retirement/SSDI) and SSI payments.
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI): A needs-based program for the aged, blind, and disabled. This program is the one most affected by the early December 31st payment.
  • VA Disability Compensation: Tax-free benefits paid to veterans with service-connected disabilities. These payments also shift due to the New Year's Day holiday.
  • Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA): The annual increase in benefits (2.8% for 2026) to counter inflation.
  • Medicare Part B: Covers outpatient care and services; the premium is often deducted from the Social Security benefit.
  • IRMAA: Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, which is an additional surcharge for high-income Medicare beneficiaries.
  • CPI-W: The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, the metric used to calculate the annual COLA.
  • Direct Deposit: The primary method for receiving payments, ensuring funds are available on the scheduled date.

The December 2025 payment schedule acts as a bridge, delivering the final payments of the current benefit year while simultaneously preparing recipients for the new 2026 COLA rates and higher Medicare premiums. Staying informed about these dates and changes is essential for millions of Americans who rely on these federal benefits for their financial stability.

The Ultimate December 2025 Payment Schedule: 7 Critical Dates, Double Checks, and the New 2026 COLA Hike
December 2025 payment schedule
December 2025 payment schedule

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