Here are the key dates for December Social Security payments and the latest updates, including a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment for January.
Michigan beneficiaries with end-of-the-month birthdays are scheduled to receive their Social Security money on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24. This round of payments will be the last before the cost-of-living increases in 2026.
Following the December payments, recipients will receive larger checks thanks to a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). Payments will rise by about $56 per month, on average, when the COLA takes effect in January 2026, the Social Security Administration said.
Apart from the payment adjustments, Social Security beneficiaries have seen other changes, including the transition from paper checks to direct deposit to bank accounts or a Direct Express card.
Here’s what you need to know about this week’s Social Security payments.
Full 2025 Social Security payment calendar
Who gets their Social Security payment this week?
Beneficiaries who were born between the 21st and 31st day of their birth month are set to receive their monthly Social Security benefit on Wednesday, Dec. 24, according to the SSA’s payment calendar.
When are Social Security payments sent?
Social Security benefits – mainly paid to recipients who are older or retired – are typically paid on Wednesdays.
If a recipient’s birthdate is between the first and 10th of the month, they are usually issued payments on the second Wednesday of the payment month, according to the SSA’s calendar. Recipients born between the 11th and 20th are paid on the third Wednesday, and those born after the 20th are paid on the fourth Wednesday.
For those who received Social Security before May 1997, you can expect your payment on the third day of the month, unless it falls on a weekend or holiday.
Individuals who receive both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can expect their Social Security payment on the third day of the month and their SSI payment on the first day of the month.
Will Social Security offices be closed on Christmas and New Year’s Day?
Yes. Christmas and New Year’s Day are federal holidays, so all offices will be closed in observance.
Social Security offices in Michigan
There are 48 offices in Michigan, and to find an office near you, recipients may use the office locator by entering your zip code on the Social Security Administration website.
Beneficiaries may make an appointment online, though you will need to answer a few questions beforehand, as some tasks (such as applying for benefits or replacing a Social Security card) can be completed online.
SSI payment schedule for the rest of 2025 and into 2026
SSI checks will be sent out on the following dates in 2025 and early 2026, according to the SSA calendar:
- Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025 (Check for January 2026)
- Friday, Jan. 30, 2026 (Check for February 2026)
- Friday, Feb. 27, 2026 (Check for March 2026)
COLA increase: When will the COLA adjustment take effect?
On Wednesday, Dec. 31, COLA will increase to 2.8%, according to the U.S. Social Security Administration.
Here are the changes being enforced in 2026 to COLA, according to the Social Security Administration:
- The maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax will increase to $184,500.
- The earnings limit for workers who are younger than full retirement age (67 years old) will increase to $24,480. (There will be a $1 deduction for each $2 earned over $24,480.)
- The earnings limit for people reaching their full retirement age in 2026 will increase to $65,160. (There will be a $1 deduction for each $3 earned over $65,160, until the month the worker turns full retirement age.)
- There is no limit on earnings for workers who are at full retirement age or older for the entire year.
How can I create a ‘My Social Security’ account?
Recipients may create a “My Social Security” account online via the SSA’s website via Login.gov or ID.me.
