Today marks a significant day for some social security recipients, as the Social Security Administration (SSA) is issuing a second wave of payments according to their December distribution schedule.
Who Will Receive a Check from Social Security Today, December 3rd?
- Long-term Beneficiaries
The SSA is sending payments to specific groups receiving long-term social security benefits, primarily those who began their retirement benefits, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), or survivor benefits before May 1997.
- Recipients Who Also Get SSI
It’s also payment day for those receiving retirement benefits, SSDI, or survivor benefits, which may be combined with additional security income (SSI) designated for low-income Americans aged 65 or older or those with disabilities.
On a related note, SSI payments are scheduled to be disbursed on Monday, December 1st, as part of the SSA’s first batch of payments for the upcoming month.
How Much Will My Retirement, SSDI, and Survivor Beneficiaries Receive?
The majority of U.S. Social Security beneficiaries are retired workers, who earn an average of approximately $2,009.50 per month. The most recent data from the SSA reflects figures from September, presumably due to interruptions caused by the government shutdown that lasted for 43 days in October and November.
For those with disabilities, the average payment is about $1,584.46, while survivors typically receive around $1,575.61 each month.
How Much Are SSI Benefits?
Individual SSI beneficiaries can expect an average monthly payment of about $717.20, with a maximum allowable amount reaching up to $967. Couples eligible for SSI can jointly claim as much as $1,450 monthly.
Additionally, some SSI recipients may receive extra payments from their respective states. A comprehensive list of states offering this additional funding is available on the SSA’s website.
How Much Will Benefits Increase by 2026?
In October, the SSA confirmed that starting January 2026, beneficiaries will see their monthly checks increase by 2.8%, as part of the agency’s annual cost-of-living adjustment. This is projected to amount to an average increase of $56 per month for retirees.
When Will My Other Social Security Checks Be Paid in December 2025?
Most retirement, SSDI, and survivor beneficiaries receive monthly benefits on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Wednesdays of December.
The schedule for payment depends on the beneficiaries’ birth dates:
- Born between the 1st and 10th: Wednesday, December 10th
- Born from the 11th to the 20th: Wednesday, December 17th
- Born between the 21st and 31st: Wednesday, December 24th
You can review the complete 2025 payment schedule on the SSA’s online calendar, which also includes the distribution schedule for 2026.
How Does Social Security Provide Benefits?
As of September 30, the SSA noted that most beneficiaries do not have the option to receive their funds via paper checks. Instead, they offer two electronic payment methods:
If you’ve provided your bank details to the SSA, you can receive payments through direct deposit. You can also submit your banking information using the SSA’s “My Social Security” online portal.
Alternatively, benefits can be loaded onto a Direct Express card, a special debit card for those without bank accounts.
