Unlock December’s Social Security Secrets: SSI Checks & COLA Boosts!
For many Americans relying on Social Security, December can bring unexpected surprises. While most beneficiaries typically receive one check per month, a twist in the calendar means that some older adults missed their usual December payment. To add to the intrigue, some may see their annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) kick in earlier than usual this month.
The Social Security Administration is always ahead of the game, setting its annual payment schedule long before the year begins. However, December’s payments might just catch some seniors off guard, bringing both good news and unexpected challenges.
December SSI Payments
This month, those receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) enjoyed a little extra cheer—thanks to a calendar quirk. Typically, monthly payments are disbursed on the first, but since December 1 fell on a Sunday, SSI beneficiaries received their checks on Friday, November 29. That means some got a double dose of payments for November!
But that’s not all. SSI recipients will still see a payment in December due to how the month falls. With January 1 being a federal holiday, the January 2025 SSI payment will actually arrive on December 31, as per the Social Security Administration’s schedule. In contrast, individuals receiving both Social Security and SSI will get their January 2025 payment on January 3.
When Will the 2025 COLA Increase Hit My Social Security Check?
Back in October, the Social Security Administration announced that the 2025 cost-of-living adjustment is set at 2.5%, marking the smallest raise since 2021. This adjustment reflects the recent reduction in inflation rates, which means seniors will receive a modest bump in benefits compared to previous years.
On average, each monthly benefit check will see an increase of about $50, bringing the average payment for 2025 up to $1,976. Most Social Security recipients can expect this new COLA to take effect with their January payments—except for those who will see it reflected in their December 31 SSI checks.
Here’s how the COLA rollout will look for Social Security recipients:
- Dec. 31: SSI beneficiaries will receive their new cost-of-living adjustment with this payment that reflects their January 2025 benefit.
- Jan. 3: Recipients who claimed Social Security before May 1997 or who receive both Social Security and SSI will see their new 2025 COLA in their checks.
- Jan. 8: Individuals born from the 1st to the 10th of the month will receive their COLA adjustment.
- Jan. 15: Those born between the 11th and 20th will get their COLA on this date.
- Jan. 22: Recipients born between the 21st and 31st will see their cost-of-living increase then.
How Can I Check My New COLA?
The Social Security Administration will be mailing out COLA notices throughout December, so keep an eye out for that letter outlining your benefit changes due to the COLA increase.
If you created a personal my Social Security account before November 20, you can log in to see your COLA notice starting in early December. Just a reminder: the Administration asks recipients to wait until January to reach out about these notices.
