Social Security beneficiaries have some changes coming in December and January, due to quirks of the calendar and a payment hike.

The Social Security Administration is making a major operational change starting in January. Beginning in the new year, appointments will be required for in-person visits at Social Security offices, something the agency said will “reduce wait times, streamline service delivery and improve the overall customers experience.”

Social Security benefits and SSI payments will increase in 2025, helping tens of millions of people keep up with expenses even as inflation has started to cool.'

For more, here's our essential Social Security cheat sheet, and don't miss the Social Security payment schedule and how to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance. What is

The first round of December’s Social Security payments, worth up to $4,873 for the highest-income earners who retire at age 70, will go out to the first group of retirees in eight days. Here is everything you need to know about December’s Social Security payments,

Social Security benefits will increase by 2.5% in 2025, according to the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). The average monthly Social Security benefit is set to rise from $1,927 to $1,976 once 2025’s COLA kicks in.