Since there are no pending Social Security deposits in March, what is appropriate now is to start talking about the payment schedule for April 2025. And nearly 70 million Americans depend on this type of payments to make ends meet, and they do everything possible to be able to cover all their living expenses: that is why knowing the payment date, and always keeping it in mind, is essential.
In 2025, Social Security payments vary depending on the date you started receiving benefits. For those who started before May 1997, payments are made on the 3rd of each month, although this is not the first of the payments sent by the Social Security Administration (SSA) each month, with Supplemental Security Income (SSI) being the deposit made on the 1st of each month.
For beneficiaries who began receiving benefits after May 1997, payments are made on Wednesdays of the month, based on date of birth:
- Second Wednesday for those born between the 1st and 10th of the month: the payment date is April 9.
- Third Wednesday for those born between the 11th and the 20th: the payment date is April 16.
- Fourth Wednesday for those born between the 21st and 31st: the payment date is April 23.
The maximum Social Security benefit for retirees in 2025 is $5,108 per month, available to individuals with a history of maximum earnings who delay their claim until age 70. This calculation includes the amount of the initial insurance premium (PIA) upon reaching full retirement age, plus delayed retirement credits of 2/3 of 1% per month after that age, up to age 70.
The average benefit for retirees in 2025 is $1,976 per month, according to data from the SSA itself. This average reflects variability in earnings histories and the age at which beneficiaries choose to claim, with adjustments for the 2.5% COLA applied in January 2025.
Some beneficiaries will receive larger, fairer Social Security deposits
The Social Security Fairness Act, signed into law by President Joe Biden, benefits around 3 million retirees in the US, primarily teachers, firefighters, police officers and federal employees, by eliminating two rules that reduced their benefits: the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). These provisions penalized those who received pensions from jobs not covered by Social Security, such as state or federal jobs.
For example, a teacher with a state pension who paid into Social Security at a second job (such as a summer camp) will see increases of up to $1,000 a month because his or her benefits are now calculated without unfair deductions. The law corrects decades of cuts in their checks, prioritizing real contributions to the system.
There is good and bad news for retirees
Recipients will receive retroactive payments and permanent increases, but the SSA will resume holding 100% of checks in March to recoup overpayments awarded before the law. This affects those who received erroneous amounts due to previous calculations, even if they are now entitled to more money.
Although the measure provides long-term relief, it creates short-term stress for some, especially retirees with limited income. The SSA clarifies that the adjustment seeks to balance the equity of the system, although it recommends that those affected review their account statements and contact the agency to resolve questions about pending debts or adjustments.
The law went into effect in 2024, and the first increases will be reflected in checks at the end of March 2025. Not all workers in the mentioned sectors automatically qualify: it depends on their work history and type of pension. For example, federal employees under the Civil Service Retirement System or people with foreign pensions are eligible.
