The holiday season is in full swing, and for millions of Social Security beneficiaries, a significant financial boost is arriving right on time. Starting today, Wednesday, December 10, the Social Security Administration has officially begun distributing this month’s major round of retirement checks.
While the maximum possible payment has reached an impressive $5,108, the amount you see in your bank account will depend on your work history and when you chose to retire. With the holiday calendar affecting some deposit dates later this month, it is important to know exactly when your money will arrive so you can plan your festive spending accordingly.
Table of Contents
Who Gets Paid Today?
The Social Security Administration uses a structured calendar to ensure millions of payments are processed smoothly without crashing the banking system. Today’s payment is specifically for beneficiaries who were born between the 1st and the 10th of any month.
If your birthday falls within this window, you should see your direct deposit land in your account today. This “Wednesday rule” is a standard part of the distribution schedule, designed to spread out payments based on birth dates rather than alphabetical order or other factors. For those in this first group, the wait for December’s funds is officially over.
Understanding the $5,108 Maximum
You may have seen headlines about a massive $5,108 check, but it is important to understand that this figure represents the absolute maximum benefit available, not the standard amount everyone receives. To qualify for this top-tier payment, a retiree must have met a very strict set of financial criteria over their lifetime.
To receive the full $5,108, a worker must have delayed claiming benefits until age 70 to maximize their delayed retirement credits. Additionally, they must have earned the maximum taxable income limit for at least 35 years of their career. Because these requirements are so difficult to meet, most beneficiaries receive a more modest amount. The average check for a retiree in 2025 sits between $1,900 and $2,000, while those who retired early at age 62 receive a maximum of around $2,831.
Remaining Payment Dates for December
If you were not born in the first ten days of the month, your payment is still on the way. The remaining schedule follows the same Wednesday pattern. Beneficiaries with birthdays between the 11th and 20th can expect their money on December 17.
The final group, those born between the 21st and 31st, will receive their payments on December 24. It is worth noting that while December 24 is Christmas Eve, it is not a federal banking holiday. This means direct deposits will process as normal, ensuring funds are available for any last-minute holiday needs.
A Surprise Payment on New Year’s Eve
This month brings a unique quirk to the payment calendar. Because January 1, 2026, is a federal holiday (New Year’s Day), banks will be closed. As a result, the Social Security Administration will send out the January Supplemental Security Income payments one day early.
Beneficiaries who usually receive these specific payments on the first of the month will instead see them arrive on Wednesday, December 31, 2025. If you see this deposit on New Year’s Eve, remember that it is not a bonus or a second December payment; it is your January money arriving ahead of schedule.
Key Takeaways
- Payments are officially being sent out today, December 10, for those with birthdays from the 1st to the 10th.
- The maximum potential benefit is $5,108, but this requires retiring at age 70 with 35 years of high earnings.
- Christmas Eve is a normal processing day for banks, so payments for the last group will arrive on time.
- January 2026 payments for some recipients will arrive early on December 31 due to the New Year’s holiday.
December 2025 Payment Schedule
| Beneficiary Group | Birth Date Range | Payment Date |
| Group 1 | 1st – 10th | Wednesday, Dec 10 |
| Group 2 | 11th – 20th | Wednesday, Dec 17 |
| Group 3 | 21st – 31st | Wednesday, Dec 24 |
| SSI / Pre-1997 | All Dates | Dec 3 (Paid) / Dec 31 (for Jan) |
