The Social Security Administration (SSA) is preparing to disburse the first December payments for retirees and beneficiaries. The SSA oversees five major programs: Survivors, Disability, Family, Retirement, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Payments are issued on a staggered schedule, and the initial batch of payments is about to reach recipients.
Key Categories of SSA Payments
The SSA divides its payments into two primary categories:
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI): These payments are distributed monthly, usually on the first day.
- Other SSA Benefits: These include Survivors, Disability, Family, and Retirement benefits. These are further divided into two subgroups:
- Beneficiaries who started claiming benefits before May 1997.
- Beneficiaries who started claiming benefits after May 1997.
How the Social Security Payment Schedule Works
SSI Payment Schedule
SSI payments are typically sent on the first day of each month, provided it does not fall on a weekend or national holiday. When the first day coincides with a holiday or weekend, payments are sent in advance. For instance, in December, when the 1st fell on a Sunday, SSI payments were issued the prior month. This arrangement occasionally results in a “double payment,” as clarified by the SSA:
“We do this to avoid putting you at a financial disadvantage and make sure that you don’t have to wait beyond the first of the month to get your payment. It does not mean that you are receiving a duplicate payment in the previous month, so you do not need to contact us to report the second payment.”
Payments for Beneficiaries Before May 1997
Those who started claiming benefits before May 1997 receive their payments on the 3rd of each month, unless it falls on a weekend or holiday. In December, these payments were sent as scheduled on Tuesday of the previous week.
Payments for Beneficiaries After May 1997
Beneficiaries who began claiming after May 1997 follow a birth date-based schedule for their payments. While this may seem complex initially, the rules are straightforward:
| Birth Date Range | Payment Date |
|---|---|
| 1st – 10th | Second Wednesday |
| 11th – 20th | Third Wednesday |
| 21st – 31st | Fourth Wednesday |
In December, payments will be distributed as follows:
- December 11: For recipients born between the 1st and 10th of any month.
- December 18: For recipients born between the 11th and 20th of any month.
- December 24: For recipients born between the 21st and 31st of any month. Although this payment would typically fall on December 25, which is Christmas Day, the SSA ensures early disbursement to avoid delays.
Additional SSI Payment in 2024
Even though the final SSI payment for 2023 was issued in December, an additional SSI payment will be made on December 31, 2023, as it represents the January 2024 payment. This early disbursement accounts for January 1 being a national holiday. Notably, this payment will include the 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) set for the new year, benefiting all recipients in 2024.
FAQs
1. Why do SSI payments sometimes appear as “double payments” in a month?
SSI payments are occasionally issued early when the first of the month falls on a weekend or holiday. This ensures recipients are not financially disadvantaged.
2. When will the first December payment for retirees be issued?
For retirees born between the 1st and 10th, the first December payment will be made on December 11.
3. Why is the December 24 payment issued early?
December 24 payments are issued early to avoid delays caused by the Christmas holiday on December 25.
4. Will the additional SSI payment on December 31 include the 2024 COLA?
Yes, the December 31 SSI payment will include the 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment effective for 2024.
5. How are payment dates determined for those who started claiming benefits after May 1997?
Payment dates are based on the recipient’s birth date, with distributions on the second, third, or fourth Wednesday of the month depending on the date range.
