Bad News for Social Security Retirees: Why You Won’t Get the $1876 You Expected?

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Receiving Social Security benefits provides essential financial support and stability for millions of Americans, but there’s been a recent development that may affect how much you receive in December. The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently announced changes to the payment schedule due to the holiday season, which may leave some beneficiaries confused about when to expect their checks.

How Does Social Security Determine Your December Payment Date?

The SSA operates on a specific annual payment schedule, which is available on their official website. This schedule outlines when payments are distributed for various programs managed by the SSA. Understanding this calendar is crucial for beneficiaries to avoid confusion, especially with the December payment adjustments.

Payment Schedule Breakdown:

1. Pre-May 1997 beneficiaries: These individuals receive their payments on the third of the month, regardless of their birth date.
2. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients: Their payments are made on the first of the month.
3. Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) beneficiaries: Payments are staggered across the second, third, and fourth Wednesdays of the month based on the beneficiary’s birth date.

For those receiving OASDI, the “pay-by-birthday” system dictates the payment schedule:

• Birthdays from the 1st to the 10th: Payments are issued on the second Wednesday.
• Birthdays from the 11th to the 20th: Payments are made on the third Wednesday.
• Birthdays from the 21st to the 31st: Their payments shift to the fourth Wednesday due to Christmas falling on the regular payment day.

What’s Changed This December?

This year, due to the Christmas holiday, the SSA is adjusting the payment schedule for the final group to ensure timely payments. Instead of receiving their Social Security checks on Wednesday, December 25th, beneficiaries with birthdays from the 21st to the 31st will get their payments a day early—on Tuesday, December 24th. This adjustment prevents potential delays due to bank closures on the holiday.

Payment Amounts for December 2019:

• Retirement Insurance: $1,876.95
• Survivors Benefits: $1,508.29
• Disability Insurance: $1,404.51
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): $698.35

The variation in payment amounts depends on your program enrollment and your contributions to Social Security over the years. It’s important for beneficiaries to keep track of their specific schedule and payment amounts.

What If You’re Not Currently Receiving Social Security?

If you’re not currently receiving Social Security but are interested in joining the program, you’ll first need to check if you meet the eligibility requirements:

• Retirement Insurance: You need at least 10 years of contributions to Social Security taxes and must be at least 62 years old.
• Survivors Benefits: This program supports dependents of a deceased worker. Eligibility depends on the worker’s contribution history and age at the time of death.
• Disability Insurance: You must have worked and contributed for at least five of the past 10 years and be officially diagnosed as disabled or blind.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): This program is designed for individuals with limited income and resources, requiring a monthly income below $1,971 and assets worth less than $2,000.

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