With nearly 70 million Americans relying on Social Security benefits, the final month of 2025 brings a full schedule of payments, including one that will be deposited on Christmas Eve. December is also the last month operating under the 2025 2.5% COLA increase, which has helped offset moderate inflation throughout the year.
Understanding the holiday payment calendar can make budgeting easier during a month often marked by travel, higher expenses and year-end necessities.
December 2025 Social Security Payment Schedule
The month begins with the distribution of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) on December 1. SSI supports low-income individuals who are elderly, blind or disabled, and its payment dates do not change during holiday periods.
Social Security retirement, survivor and disability benefits follow the Administration’s standard birth-date-based schedule.
If your birthday is on the 1st through the 10th, you will be paid on Wednesday, December 10.
If your birthday falls between the 11th and 20th, your benefit arrives on Wednesday, December 17.
If your birthday is from the 21st through the 31st, your payment will be deposited on Wednesday, December 24.
Because December 24 is not a federal holiday, and it does not fall on a weekend, the payment remains scheduled for that day. It will not be shifted earlier or later.
Maximum Social Security Benefits for 2025
The highest possible retirement benefit for 2025 varies depending on when a beneficiary chooses to claim.
Retirees who delay benefits until age 70 can receive up to $5,108 per month.
Those who claim at full retirement age (67 for most Americans born in 1960 or later) can receive up to $4,018 per month.
Early filers at age 62 can receive as little as $2,831 per month.
These amounts include the 2.5% COLA increase applied to all checks throughout 2025.
Average Retirement Benefits in 2025
According to August 2025 data, the average monthly retirement benefit is about $2,008.31, slightly higher than at the beginning of the year as more high-earning retirees entered the program.
On an annual basis, this amounts to roughly $24,100, demonstrating how Social Security serves as supplemental income for many older adults rather than full financial support.
SSI Maximums and Averages in 2025
The maximum federal SSI amounts for 2025 are:
Individual: $967 per month
Couple: $1,450 per month
Many states add an additional supplement, which varies significantly. Some states provide only minimal additions, while others like California and New York can add more than two hundred dollars each month.
The average SSI payment, based on August 2025 data, is $717.84. Payments vary by age group. Recipients under 18 average around $813, reflecting often higher needs. Adults 65 and older average roughly $600, typically reduced by modest pensions or other income sources.
SSI eligibility is strict. Individuals must have $2,000 or less in countable assets, or $3,000 for couples. Many experts argue these limits restrict long-term financial stability for beneficiaries.
Looking Ahead: 2026 COLA Increase
The Social Security Administration has already announced a 2.8% COLA for 2026. Starting in January 2026, this increase will raise benefit amounts for all programs.
For retirement beneficiaries, the average $2,008 check would increase by roughly $56.
For SSI recipients, the federal maximum amounts will rise to $994 for individuals and $1,491 for couples, reflecting inflation data measured in the third quarter of 2025.
