Some Social Security recipients may see an early payment this month and maybe even an early cost of living (COLA) increase starting in December instead of January.
Social Security recipients typically receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) on the first of each month.
However, given that New Year’s Day is a holiday, instead of getting SSI payments on Jan. 1, payments will be made on Dec. 31.
Recipients who received Social Security payments before May 1997 or receive both SSI and Social Security will receive payments for SSI on Jan. 1, and Social Security on Jan. 3.
A similar payment change will take place at the end of January, as the first of February falls on a Saturday.
This happens a few times in early 2025, with March 1 also falling on a Saturday — meaning instead of being paid on the first of the month in January, February and March, payments will be made on the last day of the previous month.
As for the rest of the year, a few more months fall a little out of wack in terms of payment schedules.
In May, August and October, recipients will receive double payments due to when the first of the month falls.
In May 2025, recipients will receive payment on the first of the month but because June 1 falls on a Sunday, beneficiaries will receive their June payment May 30.
In August, beneficiaries will receive their August payments on the first, but because Sept. 1 lands on Labor Day, beneficiaries will receive their September payment early on Aug. 29.
October will also see double payments.
The first will be made on Oct.1, and the second will be made Oct. 31 because Nov. 1 is a Saturday.
Finally, December 2025 will also see a double payment due to the New Year’s Day holiday on Jan. 1, 2026.
Come January 2025, nearly 72.5 million Social Security recipients will receive a modest Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) increase in their benefits.
The new year’s COLA is 2.5% — meaning, most recipients will see an increase of about $50 in their checks for 2025.
But because Jan. 1 is considered a holiday, payments for some recipients will go into effect Dec. 31.
