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

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 payments are typically paid out starting on the 2nd Wednesday of the month. The remaining two payments will be paid out on the following two Wednesdays of the month. Which week you receive your payment depends on your birthdate. There is one big exception, which I'll cover below.