The end of the year is approaching, and while most of us have our sights set on January 2025, Social Security payments are still being distributed now and will continue until the end of the year, so beneficiaries must remain vigilant and know when their payments will arrive, especially since the schedule for the last part of the year can be complicated financially for many families.
The Social Security Administration pays millions of Americans in the form of benefits, each with its own set of requirements and amounts determined by a variety of circumstances.
There are three major payments that most people are acquainted with and two that are less well recognized, but the five programs are critical to the people who receive them. The payments include Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), as well as retirement or Social Security, family benefits, and Survivor benefits.
Because each payment is unique, it stands to reason that each has its own distribution date, and while not all payments are sent out on the same day, the distribution is not always done by program.
Social Security payments schedule
Social Security benefits are separated into three payment categories. individuals who received benefits prior to May 1997, individuals who began receiving benefits after May 1997, and SSI beneficiaries.
Those who have received benefits since before May 1997 receive their payments on the third of each month, unless the date falls on a weekend or national holiday, in which case benefits are paid on the preceding day when banks are open.
Those who began receiving benefits after May 1997 face a more difficult timetable dependent on their birthdate:
| Social Security program | Benefits claiming date | Birth date between | Payment day |
| Retirement benefits
Survivor benefits
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Family Benefits |
After May 1997 | 1st and 10th | Second Wednesday |
| After May 1997 | 11th and 20th | Third Wednesday | |
| After May 1997 | 21st and 31st | Fourth Wednesday |
Of course, payment dates will be amended if a national holiday falls on a payment date.
Finally, we have SSI recipients. All SSI beneficiaries receive their payments on the first of each month, unless the date falls on a weekend or national holiday, in which case benefits are issued the day before when banks are open.
This is the case for the months of November and December, because until the end of the year, there will be some adjustments to the schedule of this important payment that beneficiaries must consider.
SSI payments until the end of the year
Because December 1st falls on a Sunday, the SSI payment will be delivered on Friday, November 29th, which coincides with Black Friday.
Many people believe Black Friday to be a holiday, yet it is a day when banks are open and mail is delivered, making it an actual work day, even though most of us are not working on that day. This unexpected benefit will assist many people with their Christmas shopping.
The second change that beneficiaries must be aware of is that the January payment will be paid on Tuesday, December 31, due to January 1st being a national holiday. Although this change appears foreseeable and inconsequential, it is worth noting that the payment will include a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2025.
This increase will be added to the present maximum amounts of $943 for an individual and $1,415 for a pair in 2024, resulting in $967 for an eligible individual, $1,450 for an eligible individual and an eligible spouse, and $484 for an essential person.