Social Security Confirms December Payments for Retirees Age 70

November 26, 2025 kenra

Retired Americans who turn 70 in 2025 will receive their December Social Security payments according to the birth-date-based payment system managed by the Social Security Administration (SSA). This month’s schedule is especially important due to holiday timing and the inclusion of early Supplemental Security Income (SSI) deposits. Below is a complete breakdown of who gets paid on which date and how benefit amounts vary for 70-year-old retirees.

December 10: Payment Date for Early-Month Birthdays

Retirees aged 70 who were born between the 1st and 10th of any month will receive their December 2025 Social Security payment on December 10. This date, which falls on the second Wednesday, marks the first of three retirement payments scheduled for the month.

Eligibility Requirements

To receive the December 10 payment, retirees must:

Have started Social Security benefits after April 30, 1997
NOT be receiving SSI and retirement benefits together, because dual beneficiaries receive payments on a separate schedule
Fall within the early-month birth-date group

This group represents a large share of older retirees, especially those at age 70 who benefit from maximum delayed retirement credits.

Why 70-Year-Old Beneficiaries Receive Higher Payments

Retirees who wait until age 70 to claim benefits enjoy the highest Social Security payouts, averaging around $2,148 per month.

Payment Breakdown by Gender

Men age 70 average: ~$2,390 monthly
Women age 70 average: ~$1,909 monthly

The notable $500 gap between men and women results from:

Lifetime wage differences
Career breaks for caregiving
Historical pay inequality

Value of Delaying to Age 70

Delaying benefits past full retirement age (~67) increases payments by about 24%, with delayed retirement credits adding 8% per year. This makes age 70 the most financially advantageous claiming age for many retirees.

December 17: Mid-Month Birthdays Receive Payment

The second major payment is scheduled for December 17, 2025, for retirees born between the 11th and 20th of any month.

Why This Payment Matters

Landing right before the height of the holiday season, the December 17 deposit helps retirees manage:

Holiday gift spending
Travel plans
Seasonal gatherings
Increased December household expenses

Experts encourage retirees to confirm direct deposit arrivals early to avoid overspending during the holidays.

December 24: Christmas Eve Payment for Late-Month Birthdays

Retirees born from the 21st through the 31st will receive their December Social Security payment on December 24, which falls on Christmas Eve.

Holiday Considerations

Banks may operate with limited hours
Deposits may clear later due to holiday processing
Last-minute holiday spending may strain budgets

Financial advisors warn beneficiaries to budget carefully, as this is the final Social Security payment of 2025 and must last until January 2026 payments arrive.

December 3: Early Payment Group

Not all retirees follow the Wednesday schedule. Two groups receive their funds earlier on December 3, 2025:

Early Pay Recipients Include:

Retirees who began receiving benefits before May 1997
Retirees who receive both Social Security and SSI

This group always receives payment on the first non-holiday Wednesday of each month.

Receiving funds early can help with holiday budgeting, but careful planning is necessary because these benefits must stretch through the entire month.

December 2025 Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Schedule

SSI operates on a separate system from Social Security retirement payments, resulting in two SSI payments in December.

SSI Payment Dates

December 1 – Regular monthly SSI payment
December 31 – January 2026 SSI payment paid early due to the New Year’s Day holiday

The two-payment month can cause confusion, and beneficiaries are advised to avoid spending both payments in December, since the December 31 payment must cover January expenses.

SSA Push for Electronic Payments

The Social Security Administration is steadily transitioning beneficiaries to electronic payment systems.

Electronic Payment Options

Direct deposit into a checking or savings account
Direct Express debit card for those without bank accounts

Benefits of Electronic Payments

Avoid mail delays
Reduce risk of lost or stolen checks
Ensure faster and more secure deposits

Holiday mail congestion in December makes switching to electronic payments particularly beneficial.

Choosing the Best Age to Claim Social Security

Deciding when to claim benefits remains one of the most important financial choices for older Americans.

Tools for Smart Decision-Making

Retirees can use their My Social Security account to compare estimated payments at:

Age 62
Full retirement age (~67)
Age 70

General Guidelines

Healthy individuals or those with long family life expectancy benefit from delaying to age 70
Individuals facing health issues or immediate financial needs may find earlier claiming practical

Complete December 2025 Payment Calendar

Date	Recipient Group
Dec 1	Regular SSI payment
Dec 3	Pre-1997 retirees & dual SSI/retirement beneficiaries
Dec 10	Birthdays 1st–10th
Dec 17	Birthdays 11th–20th
Dec 24	Birthdays 21st–31st
Dec 31	January 2026 SSI paid early

Understanding this full schedule ensures retirees receive their December 2025 Social Security payments without confusion, especially during the busy holiday season.

Many retirees are eager to understand how the 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) will shape their benefits, especially in the regions most impacted by rising living expenses. Top 5 States Receiving the Largest Social Security Increases After the 2026 COLA highlights where seniors will see the biggest financial boosts. These states typically face higher housing, healthcare, and daily living costs, making the COLA increase more meaningful for residents. The updated benefits aim to help retirees maintain purchasing power and keep pace with inflation-driven economic pressures nationwide.

Conclusion

The December 2025 Social Security payment schedule includes multiple distribution dates to accommodate different beneficiary groups. Retirees aged 70 benefit from higher monthly payments, thanks to delayed retirement credits, while birth-date-based payment dates help maintain organized monthly distribution. With holiday spending at its peak, knowing your exact deposit date is essential for smart budgeting and financial planning throughout December and into January.