The Social Security Administration (SSA) will issue its next round of monthly payments on April 9, 2025. This payment is part of the SSA’s staggered distribution system, which schedules checks based on a beneficiary’s birth date and the date they began receiving benefits. This round of payments is for retirees born between the 1st and 10th of any month and began receiving benefits after May 1997.
If both apply to you, expect your direct deposit or paper check to arrive on April 9. For those who started receiving Social Security after May 1997, payments are issued in three waves each month:
Second Wednesday: Birthdays on the 1st-10th
Third Wednesday: Birthdays on the 11th-20th
Fourth Wednesday: Birthdays on the 21st-31st
That makes April 9 the first wave of post-1997 retiree payments for the month. If you began receiving benefits on or before May 1997, you follow a different schedule and typically receive your check on the 3rd of each month, regardless of your birth date.
Each payment issued in 2025 includes the latest 2.5 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) enacted in January 2025. The COLA is designed to help beneficiaries keep up with inflation and rising costs of living, such as food, housing, and medical care. Though applied at the start of the year, the ongoing adjustment ensures that payments are higher than in 2024.
Benefit amounts vary based on factors like your earnings history, retirement age, and claiming strategy.
Next round of payments
For 2025, here’s what the SSA reports:
Maximum benefit at age 62: $2,831
Maximum benefit at age 70: $5,108
Average monthly benefit: About $1,976
Claiming later (up to age 70) results in significantly higher monthly benefits, though personal circumstances often guide when someone chooses to retire.
While most Social Security payments are made on time—especially via direct deposit—delays can happen because of holidays, banking issues, or outdated information. If your payment doesn’t show up on April 9, here’s what the SSA recommends:
Wait three full business days before taking action
Check your My Social Security account for notifications or status updates
Contact your bank to rule out internal delays
If the issue persists, call SSA at 1-800-772-1213
Most delays are easily resolved and rarely require further follow-up. In addition to the 2.5 percent COLA, several other Social Security changes are now in effect:
The maximum taxable earnings cap has risen to $176,100, meaning high earners pay Social Security tax on a greater portion of their income.
The full retirement age (FRA) has increased to 67 for those born in 1960 or later. This is the age at which beneficiaries can receive 100 percent of their earned benefit. These adjustments reflect broader efforts to keep the Social Security program financially sustainable as life expectancy rises and the ratio of workers to retirees continues to decline.
The My Social Security online portal remains the best tool for managing your benefits. Through your account, you can:
Verify upcoming payment dates
View detailed benefit statements
Update your personal or banking information
Enrolling in direct deposit is the fastest and most secure way to receive your monthly check—and ensures the fewest payment delays. For more information, contact the SSA or visit their website.
