U.S. Social Security distributes monthly payments according to a schedule based on the beneficiary’s date of birth and enrollment history. Those who started after May 1997 receive funds on the second, third or fourth Wednesday of the month. Those registered before that date receive payments on the 3rd of each month.
This system seeks to avoid congestion and guarantee efficient distribution. In March 2025, Wednesdays correspond to the 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th. Only the second Wednesday (March 12) falls in the second week of the month (10th to 16th).
Definition of beneficiary groups
The beneficiaries are divided into three groups according to their date of birth:
- Group 1 (birthdates 1-10 of any month): payment on the second Wednesday (March 12).
- Group 2 (birthdate 11-20 of any month): payment on the third Wednesday (March 19).
- Group 3 (birthdate 21-31of any month): payment on the fourth Wednesday (March 26).
Those who received benefits before May 1997 maintain a fixed date: March 3. This group is not included in the classification by Wednesday, according to data from the Social Security Administration (SSA).
So, just one group is set to get their payment
In March 2025, the second week runs from the 10th to the 16th. Only Group 1 receives their payment during that period (March 12). Groups 2 and 3 access funds in the third and fourth week, respectively. The fifth week (March 31) does not apply for regular payments.
There are no changes reported in the calendar due to holidays or regulations. Although the COLA 2025 increases amounts by 2.5%, the dates remain unchanged. The Social Security Fairness Act also does not affect the schedule.
Those who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or have Medicare premiums covered by the state may have additional dates, but these do not change the standard calendar.
The SSA suggests checking your assigned pool and planning expenses based on confirmed dates. Those expecting payments on March 19 or 26 should consider possible delays of 1-3 days for electronic or bank payment methods.
No additional action is required to maintain eligibility other than updating contact details or bank accounts. The institution remembers that the amounts include COLA 2025, automatically reflected in deposits.
The maximum Social Security benefit is set to $5,1018 for those beneficiaries that have paid taxes over high salaries for at least 35 years of work. The average is $1,976 as of the first month of 2025.
What to do if your money does not arrive on time
If your Social Security Administration (SSA) payments do not arrive on the estimated date, verify that you have the correct date noted and, if that is okay, contact your bank to determine that there is not an error in your bank account. Sometimes the delay can be an internal processing problem.
If the delay is not there, call the SSA toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can also visit your local SSA office, but we recommend calling first to schedule an appointment. If an in-person visit is not possible, you can use your “My Social Security” account on the official SSA website, where you can find a large amount of information related to your benefits.
If your payment is too late (the SSA suggests waiting at least three days after the estimated date), you may be eligible for a replacement payment. To request it, follow the steps indicated when calling 1-800-772-1213 or at your local office.