KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Social Security checks hit on December 10 for people born between the 1st and 10th.
- Retirees get about $2,009 on average; SSI recipients see a second check on Dec. 31.
- Payment timing matters more this month with holiday budgets and rising costs.
Social Security checks landing on December 10 are already on a lot of people’s radar. And for good reason — this round goes to millions of Americans who rely on these payments to keep bills balanced during an already expensive month. Social Security payment schedule 2026 Social Security checks landing on December 10
If your birthday falls between the 1st and 10th, this is your week. Everyone else rolls into the December 17 or December 24 cycle.
Here’s the thing: December also brings an extra SSI deposit on December 31, so a ton of folks are trying to sort out what they’ll actually receive before the year ends.
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Social Security Payment Snapshot (Average Monthly Amounts)
| Benefit Type | Average Monthly Payment | Who Typically Gets It |
|---|---|---|
| Retirement Benefits | $2,009.50 | Most retired workers |
| SSDI Disability | $1,584.46 | Workers with qualifying disabilities |
| Survivor Benefits | $717.20 | Widows, widowers, dependents |
| SSI (Dec. 31 early payment) | Up to $943 | Low-income individuals with limited resources |
Who Gets Paid on December 10?
This payout covers:
- Retirees
- SSDI disability beneficiaries
- Survivor benefit recipients
as long as their birthday falls between the 1st and 10th of any month.
If you’re not in that window, your deposit lands on:
- December 17 (birthdays 11–20)
- December 24 (birthdays 21–31)
People who started collecting benefits before 1997 and SSI recipients follow different rules and don’t use this Wednesday-based schedule.
Most folks receive their money by direct deposit early in the morning. Paper checks still exist, but with holiday mail delays? They’re risky. Direct deposit is the no-brainer option.
How Much Will You Get?
The SSA’s updated averages paint a pretty clear picture of what December 10 beneficiaries can expect:
- $2,009.50 for retired workers
- $1,584.46 for SSDI
- $717.20 for survivor benefits
These are averages — your actual amount depends on your work history, earnings, and the age you first claimed benefits.
Some people collect far above these numbers, especially high earners who delayed claiming.
Maximum Social Security Payments for 2025
If you’re wondering how high benefits can go, here’s the breakdown:
- $2,831/month — claimed at age 62
- $4,018/month — claimed at full retirement age
- $5,108/month — claimed at age 70
Waiting to file can add over $2,200/month compared to claiming at 62. Over ten years? That’s more than $250,000 in extra income.
Why This Month Feels Different
December packs:
- Three regular Social Security Wednesdays
- One early SSI payment
- Holiday expenses
- The final stretch before the 2026 COLA increase, which adds roughly $56 to the average retiree check starting January
Put all that together, and timing becomes everything. These payouts help cover rising rent, groceries, medical bills, heating costs — you name it. For many older Americans, Social Security is 90% or more of their income.
Didn’t Get Your Deposit?
If December 10 came and went with no payment:
- Give your bank 24 hours — processing delays happen.
- Check again the next morning.
- Still nothing?
- Call your bank.
- Then contact the Social Security Administration.
Missing payments are usually a banking issue, not an SSA error.
