The Social Security Administration (SSA) makes monthly payments to Social Security beneficiaries, which include retirees, people with disabilities, and their surviving families, the latter in the event that the primary beneficiary has died.
In February 2025, Social Security payments in the United States are distributed based on the date of birth of beneficiaries and the type of benefit they receive. For those receiving retirement benefits who retired after May 1997, payments are made on Wednesdays, according to the day of birth.
The three February Social Security payment dates
To begin with, we must clarify that beneficiaries who claimed their retirement before May 1997, or who receive retirement benefits in conjunction with Supplemental Security Income (SSI) have a different date: usually this payment is on the 1st of each month, but because February 1 fell on a Saturday, the payment was brought forward to January 31.
Now, we move on to the three February payments for retirees (after May 1997):
- Second Wednesday (February 12, 2025): Beneficiaries born between the 1st and 10th of any month.
Third Wednesday (February 19, 2025): Beneficiaries born between the 11th and 20th of any month.
Fourth Wednesday (February 26, 2025): Beneficiaries born between the 21st and 31st of any month.
The maximum Social Security payment can be up to $5,108
To obtain your Social Security benefits, a few things are considered. The SSA will first verify that you have worked or will work for 35 years before electing Social Security benefits (this is necessary to calculate your benefits). They will then take and analyze your income and adjust it based on the Average Wage Index (AWI), to take into account the rising standard of living during your working years.
After that, it will average your highest 35 years of indexed earnings to calculate your Social Security benefit. Finally, officials make the calculation into account when you were born and your desired election year to adjust the amount of Social Security benefit you will actually receive.
For 2025, the maximum monthly benefit is $5,108 for those who retire at age 70, compared to $4,873 in 2024. This translates to a maximum annual benefit of $61,296 in 2025, compared to $58,476 in 2024. The maximum amount is for those who have had high incomes and have paid all their Social Security taxes, and who have also deferred their retirement, as we have just explained.
The top 3 states to retire in the USA in 2025
According to a recent study by WalletHub, the most beneficial states to retire in 2025 are Florida, Colorado, and South Dakota. These states offer a combination of affordability, quality of life, and access to healthcare that make them ideal for retirees. Florida, in particular, is a popular choice for retirees due to its warm weather, no state income tax, and abundance of recreational activities.
Colorado is another great option for those who enjoy the outdoors, with its stunning scenery and numerous opportunities for hiking, skiing, and fishing. Finally, the beautiful state of South Dakota offers a lower cost of living than many other states, as well as a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
