Social Security Announces Christmas Check to Retirees

As December draws near, the Social Security Administration has announced a new $1,914 check. This check will be deposited on Christmas Day for eligible retired workers. Each month, SSA makes more than 70 million payments to retirees, survivors, disabled workers, and recipients of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. SSA has developed a monthly schedule for delivering these monthly benefits so that beneficiaries know when they will receive their checks. On average, retired workers can receive $1,914, but there are other payment amounts available depending on your full retirement age (FRA), work history, and Social Security taxes paid while you were an active worker. 

Social Security announces a huge payment of $1,914 for retirees

According to this year’s Social Security payment schedule, retirees will receive four rounds of payments in December. Typically, SSA sends the first payment for this group of beneficiaries on the third day of the month, followed by payments on the second, third, and fourth Wednesdays of each month. Next month, however, the calendar will have a slight change because the fourth Wednesday falls on December 25. Since this date is a holiday, the federal agency will move this payment date to the previous business day, which means that the last payment of December will arrive on December 24th. To learn more about all the requirements that beneficiaries must meet to receive these payments, please read the information below. 

• On Tuesday, Dec. 3rd. On this date, retirees who received their first Social Security check before May 1997 will begin receiving their benefits.
• On Wednesday, Dec. 11th. Benefits will be paid on this date to retirees who filed claims after May 1997 and were born between the first and the tenth. 
• On Wednesday, Dec. 18th. On this date, retirees who filed claims after May 1997 and were born between the eleventh and the twentieth will receive their benefits.
• On Wednesday, Dec. 24th. Benefits will be paid to retirees who filed claims after May 1997 and were born between the twenty-first and thirty-first. 

It’s crucial to remember that if your monthly benefit does not arrive on time, you should wait at least three mailing days before contacting the Social Security Administration, as the delay could be due to your bank’s system. Remember that you can visit your My Social Security Account to download statements and request additional Social Security services. 

Social Security payment amounts scheduled to be mailed for other beneficiaries on Christmas Eve

Based on current SSA guidelines, retirees will receive different payment amounts depending on the age at which they claimed benefits and the amount of Social Security taxes they paid over the past 35 years. Below are all of the payment amounts that beneficiaries will receive this Christmas: 

As the end of the year approaches, beneficiaries should be aware that their monthly checks will increase beginning in January 2025. The reason for the increase is the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), which was set at 2.5% for next year. With this annual increase, beneficiaries will receive an average of $1,948, while those claiming benefits at age 62 will receive $2,778. 

In addition, those who claim benefits at their full retirement age of 67 will receive $3,918. Lastly, if certain retirees pay taxes according to their highest taxable earnings, they will receive the maximum benefit of $4,995. Other beneficiaries, including surviving spouses, disability beneficiaries, and SSI recipients, will receive the increase to their monthly benefits, which is explained in detail here: