Due to a scheduling anomaly, some older Americans missed a payment at the beginning of December, even though the majority of Social Security recipients are used to receiving one check every month. Furthermore, certain beneficiaries can experience an earlier implementation of their yearly cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) than the customary January implementation. Although the Social Security Administration (SSA) prepares its payment calendar well in advance, some recipients may be caught off guard by this month’s special schedule and COLA changes, which could result in surprises and changes to their financial plans.
Dates of Payment for December 2024
Payments for recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are typically made on the first of every month. However, the SSA distributed these payments on Friday, November 29, because December 1 fell on a Sunday. Due to the New Year’s Day holiday, the January 2025 SSI payment will be paid on December 31, 2024, further complicating the schedule.
The date of the recipient’s birth determines the payment schedule for Social Security retirement and disability recipients:
- Birth Dates 1st-10th: Payment on December 11
- Birth Dates 11th-20th: Payment on December 18
- Birth Dates 21st-31st: Payment on December 24
The December payment was made on December 3 to recipients who began receiving payments prior to May 1997 or who receive both Social Security and SSI benefits.
Update on Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)
In keeping with moderate inflation rates, the 2.5% COLA for 2025—the lowest rise since 2021—is also being implemented this month. This modification will appear in the January 2025 payment for the majority of beneficiaries. The increase will be applied early to SSI beneficiaries’ December 31, 2024, payout, though.
The average benefit payout will rise by almost $50 per month as a result of the COLA, to nearly $1,976.
Things Recipients Need to Understand
The early adoption of the COLA and the modified payment dates emphasize how crucial it is to keep up with changes to Social Security payments. To make sure they are ready for any changes, beneficiaries are urged to check the SSA’s materials.
Go to the official website of the Social Security Administration for additional information about COLA updates and payment schedules.
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