Mark Your Calendar: Some People Will Receive Two Social Security Payments in December

Double-dipping on government checks? For a select group, December just got a whole lot greener.

Here's the deal: payment schedules are shifting due to a holiday. It's not a bonus, not extra cash—just an early arrival for January's standard benefit. But for those budgeting week-to-week, the timing couldn't be better.

Who gets the early present? Recipients whose regular payment date falls on a holiday or weekend. The Social Security Administration simply moves the deposit to the preceding business day. This year, that calendar quirk lands two payments in December for some.

It's a cash flow anomaly, not a policy change. The total annual sum stays the same. One cynic might note it's the closest thing to a 'stimulus' some will see—courtesy of the Gregorian calendar, not Congress.

So check your schedule. If your usual pay date gets bumped, you'll see two deposits this month. Just remember: you're getting January's money early. Plan accordingly, because come January, the well runs dry until the next cycle. A temporary liquidity boost in a system better known for its long-term solvency fears. How very... seasonal.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The Social Security Administration distributes millions of payments each month.
• When you will receive your payments typically depends on your birthday, and in some cases, when you began receiving benefits.

The Social Security Administration distributes benefits to almost 74 million people each month. Here is when to expect yours in December.

Payments are primarily distributed according to beneficiaries' birth dates. However, for those who began receiving retirement, spousal, or survivor benefits before May 1997, they typically receive their payments on the 3rd of every month.

Supplemental Security Income, a program that provides additional income for people with disabilities and adults aged 65 and older with limited or no income, is distributed separately from Social Security benefits at the beginning of every month.

In some cases, when the beginning of the month coincides with a weekend or holiday, SSI benefits will be distributed in the preceding month. Due to government holidays in December, Supplemental Security Income recipients will receive two checks before the end of the year.

Why This Matters

As Social Security beneficiaries are on a fixed income, knowing when they will receive their payments is essential for creating their budget and managing their financial obligations.

Here is how the checks will be distributed for the rest of the year:

• Dec. 1 - SSI payments will be paid to those who are qualified. 
• Dec. 3 - Retirement benefits will be paid to those who have been collecting since before May 1997.
• Dec. 10 - Retirement, spousal, and survivor benefits will be paid to those born between the first and 10th of any month.
• Dec. 17 - Benefits will be paid to those with birthdays between the 11th and 20th of any month.
• Dec. 24 - Benefits will be paid to those with birthdays between the 21st and 31st of any month.
• Dec. 31 - SSI payments will be paid to those who are qualified for January.

RELATED EDUCATION

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