The Social Security Administration (SSA) will have an unusual payment schedule for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries in November and December due to the timing of weekends and holidays. Typically, SSI payments are issued on the first business day of each month, but in November, recipients will see two SSI payments in one month. Here’s a breakdown of the upcoming payments and how adjustments to Social Security will impact recipients in 2025.
November’s SSI Payment Schedule
In November, SSI recipients will receive two payments on November 1 due to a calendar conflict that impacts both November and December’s payment schedules. Because December 1 falls on a Sunday, the SSA will release December’s SSI payment early, on November 29. Therefore, while SSI recipients receive two payments in November, there will be no payment for December. Additionally, the SSA will issue the January payment early, on December 29, as January 1 is a holiday.
Here’s a quick look at the SSI payment schedule for late 2024:
| Month | Scheduled Payment Date | Advanced Payment |
|---|---|---|
| August | August 1 | August 30 (September 1) |
| September | – | – |
| October | October 1 | – |
| November | November 1 | November 29 (December 1) |
| December | – | December 31 (January 1) |
For beneficiaries, this irregularity in timing may affect their budgeting, as they’ll need to account for two months of SSI funds in November but none in December. The SSA urges recipients to wait three postal days if their SSI payment doesn’t arrive on time before contacting SSA customer care.
Who Qualifies for SSI Payments?
SSI benefits are designed to assist individuals who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled and who have limited income and resources. Administered by the SSA, SSI benefits aim to help those in need cover basic living expenses, such as food, clothing, and shelter. The SSA’s payment schedule is typically reliable, although it occasionally adjusts the date to avoid payments falling on weekends or holidays.
Adjustments to Social Security in 2025
2.5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)
The SSA recently announced a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increase for 2025, effective starting in January. This COLA increase aims to help beneficiaries keep up with inflation, though it’s slightly below the average 2.6% COLA seen over the past decade. The average retiree could see about a $50 increase in monthly benefits due to the COLA adjustment. Here’s a snapshot of 2025 benefit increases by program:
| Program | Average Monthly Payment | After 2.5% COLA Increase | Maximum Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retirement Benefits | $1,948 | $1,996 | Age 70: $4,995 |
| Survivor Benefits | $1,543 | $1,581 | 2 Children: $3,744 |
| SSDI Benefits | $1,575 | $1,614 | Blind Recipients: $2,655 |
| SSI Benefits | $715 | $733 | Couples: $1,450 |
Increased Social Security Tax for High Earners
Alongside the COLA increase, the SSA will raise the Social Security tax cap for higher-income earners. The “taxable maximum” – the maximum income subject to Social Security taxes – will increase by $7,500. This adjustment aligns with inflation and wage growth and raises the taxable maximum from $168,600 in 2024 to $176,100 in 2025.
Future Implications for SSI Beneficiaries
These changes provide SSI and Social Security recipients with some relief from inflation, but unusual payment schedules may still require adjustments to monthly budgets. Staying aware of early or delayed payments will help beneficiaries plan for any irregularities in 2025.
