Social Security recipients are closely watching the calendar as the final round of payments for 2025 rolls out. With over 70 million Americans receiving benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA), the payment schedule becomes even more critical during the holiday season.
One key date on this calendar is Wednesday, December 10, 2025—when the second major group of beneficiaries receives their monthly payment.
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Schedule
The SSA follows a staggered payment schedule each month based on the birth date of the insured worker. This means beneficiaries don’t all receive their checks on the same day. Instead, payments are typically sent out on the second, third, and fourth Wednesdays of the month.
Wednesday, December 10, is the second Wednesday of the month, which makes it one of the primary distribution dates.
Here’s how the general schedule for December 2025 looks:
| Birth Date Range | Payment Date |
|---|---|
| 1st–10th of any month | Wednesday, Dec 10 |
| 11th–20th of any month | Wednesday, Dec 17 |
| 21st–31st of any month | Wednesday, Dec 24 |
Recipients
If you’re wondering whether you’ll receive your Social Security payment on December 10, here’s the answer: This payment date applies to anyone who receives retirement, SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance), or survivor benefits and whose insured worker (you or the person you’re collecting benefits through) was born between the 1st and 10th of any month.
This group makes up a large segment of recipients and represents the second wave of payments after earlier disbursements at the start of the month.
Earlier
Some beneficiaries already received their payments before December 10. These include individuals whose benefits are not distributed based on birth dates. Here’s a look at who was paid earlier in December:
- December 1 (Friday): SSI (Supplemental Security Income) recipients.
- December 3 (Wednesday): People who began receiving Social Security benefits before May 1997.
- Dual beneficiaries: Those who get both SSI and other Social Security benefits were paid on both December 1 and December 3.
If you fall into any of these groups, your Social Security money should have already hit your bank account by the second week of December.
Amounts
The exact amount a person receives in Social Security benefits varies depending on the program they qualify for. Here are the national averages based on the latest SSA data:
| Benefit Type | Average Amount (USD) |
|---|---|
| Retired Workers | $2,012.30 |
| Disabled Workers (SSDI) | $1,588.44 |
| Survivor Benefits | $1,575.89 |
| SSI Benefits | $717.51 |
These are average payments, and individual checks can vary significantly depending on earnings history, age of retirement, disability status, and other factors.
Next
Following the December 10 payment, the SSA will send out two more rounds of payments in December for those who were born later in the month. Here’s the breakdown again for clarity:
- December 17: Those born from the 11th to the 20th.
- December 24: Those born from the 21st to the 31st.
If you didn’t receive your payment on December 10 and your birthday falls in one of those later windows, your check is still on the way.
Tips
If you’re expecting your payment and it’s delayed, the SSA recommends waiting three business days before contacting them. Also, make sure your banking info and address are up to date if you’re receiving physical checks or direct deposits.
As always, the SSA’s online tools can help you check your payment status, review benefits, or update your information without visiting an office. But if something doesn’t look right, you should get in touch with them directly.
With millions depending on these benefits for their day-to-day needs, keeping up with the payment schedule is more important than ever—especially as we head into the final stretch of the year.
FAQs
Who gets paid on December 10, 2025?
People born between the 1st and 10th of any month.
Is December 10 the first payment of the month?
No, it’s the second regular Social Security payment.
What’s the average retirement benefit in 2025?
About $2,012.30 per month for retired workers.
Who got paid before December 10?
SSI and early beneficiaries paid on Dec 1 and Dec 3.
What’s the next payment after December 10?
Payments go out on December 17 and 24.
