Why Some Retirees Receive 3 Social Security Checks in December

Most of the year, your Social Security payments show up like clockwork. You know which week your deposit hits, and you build your budget around that. Then December rolls around, and you suddenly see three Social Security deposits in one month.

It's easy to think the Social Security Administration (SSA) made a mistake or sent you a surprise bonus. What's really happening is a timing issue. Holiday calendars, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) rules, and start dates can make payments bunch up in December. The money is still yours, but it's not extra. So you'll still need to stick to your budget so you don't derail your retirement plan and leave yourself short in January.

How Social Security checks are usually paid

Social Security retirement and survivor benefits are typically paid once per month, the month after they're due. That's why the first benefit payment with the 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is for December's benefit period but won't show up until January for most people.

The exact calendar date in the month you get paid depends on your birthday.

• Birthdays between the 1st and 10th get paid on the second Wednesday
• Birthdays between the 11th and 20th get paid on the third Wednesday
• Birthdays between the 21st and 31st get paid on the fourth Wednesday

The only exceptions are if you started claiming Social Security before May 1997 or if you get both Social Security and SSI. In these cases, your Social Security arrives on the 3rd of the month and your SSI on the 1st.

Why SSI can cause two deposits in December

SSI is a separate, need-based program for people with low income who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled. Those payments are supposed to arrive on the first of each month.

However, the government doesn't issue payments on weekends or federal holidays. When the first of the month falls on a weekend or on January 1 (a holiday), the SSI payment is sent on the last business day before that date.

For the January SSI check, this always means it's paid in late December. That means you essentially get two deposits. But that second one isn't "extra", it's just your January payment a day or two earlier.

How that turns into three Social Security checks

On top of those two SSI payments, add in your regular Social Security or disability payment. That's three payments in December.

If you receive both Social Security and SSI, your Social Security payment comes in on the 3rd of each month, and your SSI payment on the 1st. In early December, you'll get your normal SSI payment, then on the 3rd, your regular Social Security retirement, survivor, or disability benefit. And at the end of December, you'll get your January SSI payment paid early because January 1st is a federal holiday.

All three hit in the same calendar month, so your bank statement shows three Social Security-related deposits. But they actually cover two months of SSI and one month of Social Security, not a bonus.

Holidays and weekends for regular Social Security

Even if you don't get SSI, holiday timing can still bunch up your payments. Social Security isn't paid on weekends or federal holidays either. When a regular payment date falls on one of those days, the deposit is sent on the prior business day.

There's also a special rule from the 1977 Social Security Amendments. In years when benefits are scheduled for January 3rd, and that date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, those are issued on December 31st instead.

If you're on the 3rd of the month schedule, that means that you may receive both your December and January payments in December, so you'd see two Social Security deposits in your account in that month.

First payments and catch-up deposits

Sometimes December brings an extra deposit because of the timing when you first start benefits.

Social Security benefits are always paid a month behind. So your first check might cover a past month or two, depending on when your application was processed.

If SSA finishes your claim late in the year, you might see a lump-sum or catch-up payment for earlier months, plus your regular December benefit, both land in December. To you, that might seem like an extra check. On SSA's side, it's just them catching up on money you were already owed.

Bottom line

Instead of guessing, you can check your exact dates in a few minutes. Look at the official schedule of Social Security benefit payments for the current year. Sign in to your "my Social Security" account to see your benefit type, payment history, and upcoming deposits.

When you get multiple deposits in December, it's not a bonus. You won't get another SSI payment in January, because you already got it, just a few days early. The same applies to early January 3rd payments.

So if you see three deposits in December, don't splurge. That's a money mistake you can't afford to make. It has to last until your next scheduled payment. Try not to overspend and instead treat it just like what it is: your January payment.

You May Also Like

Almost 80% of Americans Fear a Retirement Age Increase — Here’s the Real Reason Why

Read More

10 Smart Money Moves to Retire

Read More

The Easiest Way to Diversify Your Investment Portfolio With Fine Art

Read More

7 Brilliant Ways to Build Wealth After 40

Read More

5 Ways Seniors Are Throwing Away Money

Read More

Best High-Yield Savings Accounts of December 2025: Earn Up to 4.30% APY

Read More

Save Money and Get Huge Discounts on Everyday Purchases

AARP Benefits

• Huge discounts on travel, groceries, prescriptions and more
• Access to financial planning resources and health tools
• Join AARP and get 25% off your first year

Become a member now!

---

Subscribe Today

Unlock the Best Banking Deals and Bonuses

From high-yield savings accounts to cashback checking and sign-up bonuses, we bring you the best banking offers to grow your money smarter.

or

SEE TOP BANKING OFFERS →

By submitting this form you agree to receive emails from FinanceBuzz and to the privacy policy and terms