U.S. Retirees Get $1,927 Today or Within the Next 7 Days

Retirees in the United States may still be waiting for their December Social Security payment, either by check or direct deposit. If your birthday falls between the 1st and the 10th of the month, your payment will be issued on December 11. However, it’s important to note that only those who filed and were approved for benefits after April 30, 1997, are eligible. If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you will not receive your Social Security payment on this date.

The amount of your payment depends on your earnings history. The average benefit for December is around $1,927, but this can vary. If you had higher earnings during your career, your payment could be as much as $4,873.

If you weren’t able to receive your payment on December 3 and you don’t qualify for the December 11 payment, don’t worry—there are two additional opportunities to receive your Social Security benefits. The next payment date is December 18 for those whose birthdays fall between the 11th and the 20th. Again, to be eligible, you must have filed and been approved for benefits after April 30, 1997, and cannot receive SSI.

Another important date to remember is December 24. Since the 25th is a federal holiday, Social Security payments scheduled for that day will be sent early, on the 24th.

To qualify for Social Security benefits in December 2024 or January 2025, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 62 years old (though early filing will reduce your monthly benefits)
• File for Social Security and wait for approval
• Have earned at least 40 work credits

If you want to receive a larger benefit, you can delay retirement until age 70, which will increase your monthly payments by around 24%. For workers who earn the maximum taxable income for 35 years of work covered by Social Security, the monthly benefit in 2025 will be up to $5,108, a significant increase from the 2024 maximum of $4,873.