Three big Social Security payments arrive in February and there are little tricks you should know to be able to get every last cent out of them. I’ll tell you everything without fuss, as if we were having a coffee, and we will learn how to achieve the maximum benefit that is eligible in 2025.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a top check reserved for a few. Who are those? Those who played the card of delaying retirement until 70. I know it sounds like an eternity, but here patience pays, in this case, literally. If you retire before your official age (what they call Full Retirement Age, or FRA), they cut your money forever. No “I’ll get it back later.”
Another detail: it is not enough to be a veteran at work. You must have had high and stable salaries for 35 years. We are talking about reaching the taxable limit, which by 2025 will be about $168,600 a year. And be careful, you need a minimum of 40 work credits (that is, 10 years having made all the respective Social Security tax payments).
Social Security dates for February 2025
After we talk about the maximum benefits, and the requirements to achieve them, we have to see what the three upcoming payment dates are for the month of February. Payments are made on the second, third, and fourth Wednesday of each month, and are grouped based on your birthday.
- From the 1st to the 10th of any month: you receive the check on February 12.
- From the 11th to the 20th: Your day is February 19.
- From 21 to 31: you have to wait until February 26.
Now, if you receive, in addition to your retirement, Supplemental Security Income benefits (that extra program for basic needs) there is a different date.
Although in February you will not see a deposit (because they advanced it to January 31), in March you get a double payment: the regular payment on the 1st of the month and another advance payment on February 28 (because March 1st falls on a Saturday). Finally, retirees in March follow the same routine: payments on the 12th, 19th and 26th.
Be careful: these actions could cause you to lose your profits
The SSA does not forgive certain errors. Take note to avoid making the most basic mistakes that could end in the suspension of your benefits.
Earning too much: If you work after you retire and go over the income limit, say goodbye to part of your check. Review the caps every year, as this is not static.
Making up facts: If you lie about your age, income or ability to work, be prepared to pay back every penny and be left without benefits. The SSA has accounting detectives who review cases at random.
Improve your health: If you recover and the SSA believes you can return to working full-time, they could cut your payment for benefits such as SSI or SSDI. Be careful with medical reports.
Return to the office: If you decide to suspend your retirement to re-engage in a job, payments are paused. But don’t worry, you can reactivate them later (although recalculated).
