As we move into the latter half of December, the air is filled with the scent of Christmas dinner and New Year’s fireworks. But first, let’s take a brief look at the Social Security payment schedule for December 2025, which follows the usual birthdate-based pattern.
The payment scheduled for Wednesday, December 10, for beneficiaries whose birth dates fall between the 1st and 10th of the month, has been processed already. This payment adheres to the standard process for most pensioners who started receiving their benefits in May 1997 or thereafter.
Social Security Reveals Last December Payment Date
End of the year 2025 according to the calendar To finish the monthly cycle, two payment dates are left. Those beneficiaries whose date of birth is between the 11th and the 20th of the month will be paid on Wednesday, December 17th, which is this month’s third Wednesday. If your birthday falls between the 21st and 31st of the month, you can expect to receive your payment on December 24th (the fourth Wednesday of December).
By contrast, the payment for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is issued on the first day of every month, will be modified. As January 1, 2026, is a holiday, the SSI payment will be rescheduled to Wednesday, December 31, 2025. For the first time, this early payment will include the 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), which has been established at 2.8%.
Maximum Payments for the Final Month of COLA 2025 Are in Effect
The payments in December 2025 are the final ones subject to this year’s Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), which was 2.5%. Beginning in January 2026, all sums will be raised based on the new rate of 2.8%. For December 2025, the maximum monthly benefits differ considerably based on the age at which the beneficiary opted to start receiving the funds.
The quoted amounts are based on a worker profile that has had maximum taxable income since age 22 and is effectively retiring in January 2025. The maximum monthly payment for someone who claimed benefits at age 62 in December 2025 is $2,831. Individuals who began their collection at 65 years of age can obtain a maximum of $3,374.
Advancement of Quantities As per Retirement Age
For individuals who retired at the age of 66, the amount rises, capping at $3,795. The maximum benefit amounts to $4,043 for individuals who have attained Full Retirement Age (FRA)—67 years for those born in 1960 or later. Deferred retirement until age 70 results in a peak monthly benefit of $5,108, according to the rules and COLA applicable in December 2025.
What Is the Method of Calculation for the Maximum Social Security Benefit?
The method used to calculate the maximum retirement benefit from Social Security relies on a formula set by law. This is determined for a theoretical employee whose income has matched the maximum contribution and benefit base in every working year from age 22 to the year preceding retirement. These maximum bases are revised every year based on the Average Wage Index (AWI).
The first step consists of gathering and organizing annual earnings data into an index. The earnings from each year are adjusted by an indexation factor. The calculation of this factor involves dividing the AWI for the year in which the employee reaches 60 years of age by the AWI for the year to which earnings are being indexed. This procedure aligns the historical wage purchasing power with current levels.
Calculation of Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME)
The 35 years that have the highest indexed earnings are then chosen. The sum of these earnings is divided by 420 (which is the product of 35 years and 12 months) to calculate the Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME). The maximum estimated AIME values for retirement in 2025 vary based on the retirement age, with higher values for younger ages due to the inclusion of more recent years with high nominal wages.
The subsequent step involves applying the Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) formula to the AIME. This calculation employs “bend points,” which are revised every year along with the AWI. According to the formula, the portion of the AIME below the first bend point is allocated 90%, the amount between the first and second bend points is allocated 32%, and the excess above the second bend point is allocated 15%.
The PIA produced is rounded down to the closest ten-cent value. This figure represents the theoretical advantage if it is claimed at the age of initial eligibility, which is usually 62. Then, it is raised by applying the COLA percentages enacted for each year, starting from the year after eligibility and continuing until the year before actual withdrawal.