Social Security December 2026 Payment Schedule: Two SSI Checks & First 2027 COLA Payment
Social Security December 2026 Payment Schedule
The Social Security December 2026 payment schedule includes an unusual year-end payment pattern that could confuse millions of beneficiaries.
SSI recipients are scheduled to receive two deposits during December 2026:
December 1, 2026 — regular December SSI payment
and:
December 31, 2026 — January 2027 SSI payment paid early
The December 31 payment is especially important because it is the first SSI payment reflecting the new 3.6% Social Security cost-of-living adjustment for 2027.
Some Social Security beneficiaries who are normally paid on the third of the month may also receive their January payment early on December 31 because January 3, 2027 falls on a Sunday.
For most retirement, SSDI and survivor beneficiaries, the regular December payment dates are:
December 9
December 16
and:
December 23
depending on the beneficiary’s birthday.
Here is the complete December 2026 schedule and what the December 31 payment actually means.
December 2026 Social Security Payment Schedule
| Benefit group | Payment date |
|---|---|
| SSI — December benefit | Tuesday, December 1 |
| Certain beneficiaries normally paid on the 3rd | Thursday, December 3 |
| Birthdays 1st–10th | Wednesday, December 9 |
| Birthdays 11th–20th | Wednesday, December 16 |
| Birthdays 21st–31st | Wednesday, December 23 |
| January 2027 SSI benefit | Thursday, December 31 |
| Certain January 3 Social Security payments | Thursday, December 31 |
The most important date for many beneficiaries is:
December 31, 2026.
That payment belongs to January 2027 even though the money arrives before the new year begins.
Why Are There Two SSI Payments in December 2026?
SSI normally pays benefits on the:
first day of each month.
The normal payment date for January 2027 would therefore be:
January 1, 2027.
But January 1 is:
New Year’s Day
and a federal holiday.
Social Security payment rules move SSI payments to the previous business day when the first of the month falls on a weekend or federal holiday.
As a result, January’s SSI payment is scheduled for:
Thursday, December 31, 2026.
That creates two SSI deposits during the calendar month of December.
First SSI deposit
December 1
This is the regular benefit for December 2026.
Second SSI deposit
December 31
This is the January 2027 SSI benefit arriving early.
The December 31 deposit is therefore not an extra SSI payment or bonus check.
Does the December 31 SSI Payment Include the 2027 COLA?
Yes.
The official Social Security COLA for 2027 is:
3.6%.
The Social Security Administration says increased SSI payments begin with the:
December 31, 2026 payment.
That means the January SSI payment delivered on December 31 reflects the higher 2027 federal SSI payment levels.
The maximum federal SSI payment for an eligible individual increases from:
$994 per month in 2026
to:
$1,029 per month in 2027.
That is an increase of:
$35 per month.
For an eligible couple, the maximum federal payment rises from:
$1,491
to:
$1,544 per month.
That is an increase of:
$53 per month.
Actual SSI payments can be lower depending on income, living arrangements and other eligibility factors.
Some states also provide additional SSI supplements.
2027 SSI Maximum Payment Amounts
| SSI category | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible individual | $994 | $1,029 |
| Eligible couple | $1,491 | $1,544 |
| Essential person | — | $516 |
The new amounts reflect the official:
3.6% COLA.
If you receive SSI, the amount deposited on December 31 may therefore be higher than your December 1 payment.
Is the December 31 Payment an Extra SSI Check?
No.
This is one of the most important points to understand.
Receiving two SSI deposits during December does not mean Social Security is giving beneficiaries an additional month of benefits.
The schedule is:
December 1 → December benefit
December 31 → January benefit
Because January’s payment arrives during December, there is normally no separate federal SSI deposit on January 1.
This is simply a calendar shift.
SSI recipients should budget the December 31 payment for:
January 2027 expenses.
Who Gets Social Security on December 3?
Certain Social Security beneficiaries are normally paid on the:
third day of the month.
For December 2026, December 3 falls on a:
Thursday.
Therefore, no weekend or federal holiday adjustment is required.
The payment remains scheduled for:
Thursday, December 3, 2026.
This schedule commonly applies to certain people who:
- began receiving Social Security before May 1997; or
- receive both Social Security and SSI.
Other exceptions can also apply.
Your own Social Security payment history is the best way to confirm which payment group applies to you.
Who Gets Social Security on December 9?
Beneficiaries using the standard birthday-based payment schedule generally receive Social Security on the second Wednesday of the month if their birthday falls between:
the 1st and 10th.
The second Wednesday in December 2026 is:
December 9.
Therefore, this group is scheduled to receive retirement, survivor or SSDI benefits on:
Wednesday, December 9, 2026.
Who Gets Social Security on December 16?
People whose relevant birthday falls between:
the 11th and 20th
are generally paid on the third Wednesday.
For December 2026, that date is:
Wednesday, December 16.
No holiday adjustment is required.
Who Gets Social Security on December 23?
Beneficiaries whose relevant birthday falls between:
the 21st and 31st
are generally paid on the fourth Wednesday.
In December 2026, the fourth Wednesday is:
December 23.
Therefore, this group is scheduled for payment on:
Wednesday, December 23, 2026.
Does Christmas Change the December 23 Social Security Payment?
No.
Christmas Day falls on:
Friday, December 25, 2026.
The fourth-Wednesday Social Security payment occurs two days earlier on:
December 23.
Because the scheduled payment date itself is not a federal holiday, SSA’s published calendar keeps the payment on December 23.
December 2026 SSDI Payment Schedule
SSDI generally follows the same payment schedule used for other Social Security benefits.
For many SSDI beneficiaries:
| Birthday | December 2026 SSDI payment |
|---|---|
| 1st–10th | December 9 |
| 11th–20th | December 16 |
| 21st–31st | December 23 |
Certain SSDI beneficiaries may instead receive their regular December payment on:
December 3.
This can apply to some people who began receiving benefits before May 1997 or who also receive SSI.
Why Could Some Social Security Beneficiaries Get Paid Again on December 31?
December 31 is not only important for SSI recipients.
Some Social Security beneficiaries normally receive their monthly Social Security payment on the:
third day of the month.
In January 2027, the third falls on:
Sunday, January 3.
Normally, a weekend payment is moved to the previous business day.
But:
January 2 is Saturday
and:
January 1 is New Year’s Day.
That pushes the payment back to:
Thursday, December 31, 2026.
As a result, some beneficiaries may see:
December 3 — regular December Social Security payment
and:
December 31 — January Social Security payment paid early.
Again, that does not mean they are receiving an extra monthly benefit.
Does the December 31 Social Security Payment Include the 3.6% COLA?
For applicable January 2027 Social Security benefits, yes.
SSA says the:
3.6% COLA
applies beginning with Social Security benefits payable for December 2026 and received in January 2027.
Therefore, beneficiaries whose January payment is shifted into December because of the calendar can receive their first COLA-adjusted Social Security benefit at the end of December.
Most other retirement, survivor and SSDI beneficiaries will see their first higher payment on their normal January 2027 payment date.
When Will Most Retirees Receive Their First 2027 COLA Increase?
For people on the standard birthday schedule, the first higher payments are expected in January 2027.
The main January payment dates are:
January 13 — birthdays 1st–10th
January 20 — birthdays 11th–20th
January 27 — birthdays 21st–31st
These payments will reflect the:
3.6% COLA.
For an average retired worker, SSA estimates the monthly benefit will rise from approximately:
$2,095
to:
$2,170.
That is an estimated increase of about:
$75 per month.
How Much Is the 2027 Social Security Increase?
The official cost-of-living adjustment is:
3.6%.
Here are simplified examples before deductions:
| Current gross benefit | Approx. 3.6% increase | Simple new amount |
|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $36 | $1,036 |
| $1,500 | $54 | $1,554 |
| $2,000 | $72 | $2,072 |
| $2,500 | $90 | $2,590 |
| $3,000 | $108 | $3,108 |
| $4,000 | $144 | $4,144 |
These calculations are simplified examples.
Your actual payment can differ because Social Security applies its own benefit calculation and rounding rules.
Medicare premiums, tax withholding and other deductions can also affect the amount ultimately deposited into your bank account.
When Can You See Your Exact 2027 Benefit?
Your personalized COLA notice should show your actual new benefit amount.
SSA says online notices become available to many beneficiaries through the Message Center of their personal my Social Security account beginning around late November or early December.
Paper notices are mailed during December.
Beneficiaries who receive retirement or disability benefits may therefore be able to see their exact 2027 amount before their first increased January payment arrives.
Our 2027 Social Security COLA notice guide explains how and when beneficiaries can check the personalized amount.
Why Your 3.6% Increase May Not Equal Your Bank Deposit Increase
The COLA applies to your Social Security benefit.
But many retirees have deductions taken from that benefit before money reaches their bank account.
One major deduction is:
Medicare Part B.
Other possible deductions include:
- Medicare-related charges;
- federal income tax withholding;
- overpayment recovery;
- voluntary withholding; and
- other authorized deductions.
That means:
gross benefit increase
and:
net bank deposit increase
are not necessarily identical.
December 2026 vs. January 2027 Payments
The year-end schedule can look confusing because some January benefits arrive during December.
Here is the simplest way to understand it:
| Payment date | Benefit month |
|---|---|
| Dec. 1, 2026 | December SSI |
| Dec. 3 | December Social Security for certain groups |
| Dec. 9 | December Social Security payment |
| Dec. 16 | December Social Security payment |
| Dec. 23 | December Social Security payment |
| Dec. 31 | January 2027 SSI |
| Dec. 31 | January Social Security for certain third-of-month beneficiaries |
The December 31 deposits should therefore be budgeted for:
January 2027.
Why Is There No SSI Payment on January 1, 2027?
Because it has already been paid.
January 1 is New Year’s Day.
SSA moves the payment to the preceding business day:
December 31.
That means SSI recipients should not expect:
another regular federal SSI payment on January 1.
The next standard federal SSI payment after December 31 is generally the payment for:
February 2027.
Will SSI Get Another Payment in January?
The normal January SSI benefit is already delivered on December 31.
Therefore, there is no second regular January SSI deposit simply because the calendar changes to January.
Recipients should be careful with budgeting because there can be a long gap between:
December 31
and:
the next scheduled SSI payment.
Is the December 31 Payment a Bonus From the Government?
No.
It is not:
- a stimulus check;
- an additional COLA check;
- a federal bonus;
- an extra 13th SSI payment;
- or a separate year-end benefit.
It is a regular January payment delivered early.
Online posts describing it as “free extra Social Security money” can be misleading.
Does the December 31 Payment Affect Taxes?
The tax treatment of benefits can depend on the type of benefit and individual circumstances.
SSI itself is generally not treated the same way as taxable Social Security retirement benefits.
For Social Security beneficiaries, federal income-tax rules depend on combined income and filing circumstances.
The timing of a bank deposit can also differ from the benefit month to which the payment relates.
Anyone with specific tax questions should use IRS guidance or consult a qualified tax professional.
What If Your December Social Security Payment Is Late?
First, confirm the correct scheduled date for your payment group.
Check:
- whether you receive SSI;
- whether you receive Social Security retirement;
- whether you receive SSDI;
- whether you receive survivor benefits;
- whether you began receiving Social Security before May 1997;
- whether you receive both SSI and Social Security; and
- the relevant birthday used for the payment schedule.
You can also review payment information through your:
my Social Security account.
SSA advises beneficiaries whose expected payment has not arrived to follow its missing-payment guidance before reporting the issue.
Social Security December 2026 Payment Dates to Save
Here are the dates worth keeping:
December 1 — SSI
December 3 — certain Social Security beneficiaries
December 9 — birthdays 1–10
December 16 — birthdays 11–20
December 23 — birthdays 21–31
December 31 — January SSI payment with 3.6% COLA
December 31 — certain January Social Security payments paid early
Frequently Asked Questions
When are Social Security checks coming in December 2026?
The primary December Social Security payment dates are December 3, December 9, December 16 and December 23. SSI is paid December 1.
Why are there two SSI payments in December 2026?
December’s SSI benefit is paid December 1, while January 2027’s SSI benefit is paid early on December 31 because January 1 is a federal holiday.
Is the second December SSI payment extra money?
No. The December 31 payment is the January 2027 benefit arriving early.
Does the December 31 SSI payment include the 2027 COLA?
Yes. SSA says increased SSI payments reflecting the 3.6% COLA begin on December 31, 2026.
How much is SSI in 2027?
The maximum federal payment is $1,029 per month for an eligible individual and $1,544 for an eligible couple.
What was the maximum SSI amount in 2026?
The maximum federal payment was $994 for an eligible individual and $1,491 for an eligible couple.
Will retirees receive the 3.6% increase in December?
Most retirement beneficiaries will see the higher Social Security payment in January 2027. Certain beneficiaries whose January payment is moved to December 31 may receive the COLA-adjusted payment earlier because of the calendar.
When is Social Security paid for birthdays from the 1st through 10th?
December 9, 2026.
When is Social Security paid for birthdays from the 11th through 20th?
December 16, 2026.
When is Social Security paid for birthdays from the 21st through 31st?
December 23, 2026.
Does Christmas delay Social Security payments?
The December 23 payment remains scheduled before Christmas Day, so no Christmas adjustment is needed for the standard fourth-Wednesday group.
Why could some people get Social Security on December 31?
Some January Social Security payments normally due on January 3 move to December 31 because January 3 is a Sunday, January 2 is Saturday and January 1 is a federal holiday.
When is the next SSI payment after December 31?
December 31 is the January 2027 SSI payment. The following regular SSI payment is for February 2027 according to SSA’s payment calendar.
Bottom Line
The Social Security December 2026 payment schedule contains one of the year’s most important timing changes.
SSI recipients receive:
December 1 — December SSI benefit
and:
December 31 — January 2027 SSI benefit.
The December 31 payment is not an extra check.
But it is significant because it is the first SSI payment reflecting the official:
3.6% 2027 COLA.
The maximum federal SSI amount rises to:
$1,029 for an eligible individual
and:
$1,544 for an eligible couple.
Regular Social Security payments in December are scheduled for:
December 3
December 9
December 16
and:
December 23.
Certain beneficiaries normally paid on the third of the month can also receive their January Social Security payment early on:
December 31.
For most retirement, survivor and SSDI beneficiaries on the birthday schedule, the first 3.6%-higher payments arrive in:
January 2027.
The most important budgeting rule is simple:
treat the December 31 payment as January money—not as an extra December payment.
