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Social Security December 2026 Deposit Schedule – Final Year-End Payments Explained

December 2, 2025 - By littlemakerskpl

As 2026 approaches, millions of Americans receiving Social Security, SSDI, and SSI benefits are preparing for the final payments of the year. December is always an important month because it includes the last deposits before the new year and often features calendar-related payment shifts, early deposits, and the first 2027 COLA increase for some beneficiaries.

If you rely on Social Security income, knowing the exact December 2026 deposit schedule is essential. The final month includes multiple payment dates, and some beneficiaries will receive two payments, depending on the program and how holidays fall on the calendar.

This comprehensive guide explains who gets paid, when the deposits will arrive, and why December’s payments are different from the rest of the year.

Why December 2026 Payments Matter

December is not a typical payout month. It includes:

The final Social Security check of 2026
Early deposits due to weekends/holidays
Two SSI payments for eligible beneficiaries
The first check that includes the 2027 COLA increase (for SSI only)
A full schedule based on birthdays, program type, and payment eligibility

These details make the December Social Security calendar more complex than any other month.

Do December 2026 Payments Include a Boost?

The answer depends on which benefit you receive.

Social Security Retirement, SSDI & Survivor Benefits

Your December 2026 payment does NOT include the 2027 COLA increase.
The next boost will arrive in January 2027.

SSI Beneficiaries

SSI recipients will receive:

December 1, 2026 – final SSI payment of 2026
December 31, 2026 – January 2027 SSI payment, which includes the 2027 COLA increase

This means SSI recipients are the first group to get the 2027 COLA raise, even though the deposit comes one day before 2027 officially begins.

Social Security December 2026 Deposit Schedule

The Social Security Administration uses a structured deposit schedule for retirement, SSDI, and survivor benefits. Payments are based primarily on:

When you started receiving benefits
Your birth date
Whether you also receive SSI

Below is the full December 2026 calendar.

✔ December 2, 2026 – Payments for Early Beneficiaries

You are paid on December 2, 2026, if:

You began receiving Social Security before May 1997, or
You receive both Social Security and SSI

This group always receives benefits on the 3rd of the month, but because December 3, 2026, falls on a Thursday, SSA keeps the standard timing.

✔ December 9, 2026 – Birthdays on the 1st–10th

If your birthday falls between the 1st and 10th, your payment arrives on the second Wednesday, which is:

→ December 9, 2026

✔ December 16, 2026 – Birthdays on the 11th–20th

Recipients with birthdays in the middle third (11th–20th) will receive their benefit on:

→ December 16, 2026

✔ December 23, 2026 – Birthdays on the 21st–31st

If your birthday is from the 21st–31st, your payment arrives on the fourth Wednesday, which is:

→ December 23, 2026

This is an important date because many retirees rely on this payment for Christmas week.

SSI December 2026 Payment Schedule – Two Payments This Month

SSI (Supplemental Security Income) operates on a separate deposit schedule from regular Social Security benefits.

Here’s what SSI recipients receive in December:

✔ December 1, 2026 – Regular SSI Payment

This is the final SSI payment of 2026.

✔ December 31, 2026 – Early January 2027 SSI Payment

January 1 is a federal holiday, so SSI payments scheduled for January 2027 will arrive a day earlier.

This December 31, 2026 deposit includes:

→ The 2027 COLA increase (first boosted payment of the year)

SSI beneficiaries are always the first to receive the new COLA each year.

Who Gets Two Payments in December 2026?

Only SSI recipients, or those who receive both SSI and Social Security, may receive two payments:

✔ December 1 – final 2026 SSI

✔ December 31 – January 2027 SSI with COLA increase

Everyone else receives one payment according to their regular Wednesday schedule.

Will the 2027 COLA Be Included in December 2026 Payments?

The new COLA is applied starting January 2027 for Social Security retirement, SSDI, and survivor benefits.

But because of holiday scheduling:

SSI beneficiaries will see their COLA early on December 31, 2026.

The official COLA percentage for 2027 will be announced in October 2026, based on inflation trends.

What Retirees, SSDI Beneficiaries & SSI Recipients Should Expect

Here’s how December 2026 impacts different groups:

1. Social Security Retirement Recipients

Receive one payment
No COLA included
Payment date depends on birthday

2. SSDI Beneficiaries

Receive payments on the same schedule as retirees:

Dec 2, 9, 16, or 23
No COLA until January

3. Survivor Benefit Recipients

Same dates and schedule as retirement benefits.

4. SSI Recipients

Paid December 1 and December 31
December 31 includes the 2027 COLA boost

Why December Payments Sometimes Arrive Early

The Social Security Administration must adjust payment dates when:

A holiday falls on a weekend
A federal holiday closes banks
January 1 approaches (which always affects SSI)

In 2026:

December 31 is not a weekend or holiday, so SSI payments can be safely pushed to that date.
All Wednesday payments fall on standard business days.

How to Avoid December 2026 Payment Delays

With the holiday season, banking delays and mailing slowdowns are common.

To ensure your payment arrives on time:

✔ Enroll in direct deposit (fastest and safest)

✔ Keep bank account details updated

✔ Monitor your “my Social Security” account

✔ Report changes in address or representative payee promptly

✔ If your payment is late, wait 3 business days before contacting SSA

SSA phone line: 1-800-772-1213

Planning Ahead for 2027

December 2026 is your last chance to prepare for:

The 2027 COLA increase
Any changes in tax liability
Medicare premium adjustments
Budget changes for the new year

SSI recipients will already get a glimpse of their higher 2027 benefit on December 31.

Summary of December 2026 Social Security Payments

Social Security Retirement, SSDI, Survivor Benefits:

Dec 2 – Early beneficiaries
Dec 9 – Birthdays 1–10
Dec 16 – Birthdays 11–20
Dec 23 – Birthdays 21–31

SSI Payments:

Dec 1 – Regular December SSI
Dec 31 – January 2027 SSI (with COLA increase)

Meta Title

Social Security December 2026 Deposit Schedule – Final Payments Explained

Meta Description

Social Security December 2026 payment schedule explained. Get dates for retirement, SSDI, survivor benefits, and SSI—including early deposits and COLA updates.

FAQs About December 2026 Social Security Payments

1. Will I receive two Social Security payments in December 2026?

Only SSI recipients receive two payments—one on December 1 and another on December 31.

2. Does December 2026 include the 2027 COLA increase?

For Social Security retirement, SSDI, and survivors, no.
For SSI, yes—the January 2027 SSI payment arrives early on December 31 with the COLA included.

3. When is my Social Security payment arriving in December 2026?

It depends on your birthday:

1–10: December 9
11–20: December 16
21–31: December 23
Early beneficiaries receive payment December 2.

4. Why do SSI recipients get two payments in December?

When January 1 is a holiday, the January SSI payment arrives early—in this case, December 31.

5. What should I do if my December 2026 payment is late?

Wait three business days, then contact SSA at 1-800-772-1213 or log into your online account.