When Are December 2024 Social Security Payments Coming?

Social Security payments are issued monthly to recipients, and in December another round of payments will reach millions of claimants across the country.

Some 72.5 million Americans get checks every month, and the timing of these payments depends on a recipient’s date of birth and the type of benefit they receive. While the Social Security Administration (SSA) is most commonly associated with payouts for retirement, it also distributes disability and survivor benefits.

Retirement checks are issued throughout the month, determined by the claimant’s birth date and the length of time they’ve been receiving benefits. Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which supports elderly, blind and disabled individuals with limited income and assets, is typically paid at the beginning of each month.

More From Newsweek Vault: Latest Social Security News: 2025 COLA Announcement and Upcoming Changes to Your Benefits

This time, some recipients will also receive an early payment for January benefits. Keep reading to learn when you can expect your monthly check.

December 1

This month, all SSI payments and Social Security payments for those who have been claiming since before July 1997 will be made on December 1.

More From Newsweek Vault: Online Banks vs. Traditional Banks: Learn the Differences

For those who receive SSI and Social Security benefits, your retirement check will be paid on December 3, separately from your SSI.

December 13

Those with birthdays that fall between the first and 10th of any month will receive their monthly amount on December 13.

More From Newsweek Vault: Will the 2024 Election of Donald Trump Impact Social Security?

December 20

Claimants who have a birthday between the 11th and 20th of any month receive their payment on December 20.

December 27

Anyone born between the 21st and 31st of any month will have their benefits paid on December 27.

December 29

January payments for SSI and Social Security for those who have been claiming since before July 1997 will be made on December 29 as January 1 is a holiday.

“We do this to avoid putting you at a financial disadvantage and make sure that you don’t have to wait beyond the first of the month to get your payment,” the SSA said in a 2022 blog post. “It does not mean that you are receiving a duplicate payment in the previous month, so you do not need to contact us to report the second payment.”

The SSA advises waiting three working days before contacting the government agency if a payment hasn’t arrived as expected.

Beginning in January, Social Security benefits will be subject to a 2.5 percent overall increase due to the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). It is lower than COLAs issued in recent years, with 2023 being one of the largest increases on record with seniors having their benefits boosted by 8.7 percent due to high inflation.

“Social Security benefits and SSI payments will increase in 2025, helping tens of millions of people keep up with expenses even as inflation has started to cool,” Martin O’Malley, commissioner of Social Security, said when the increased amount was announced in October .