Millions of retirees collecting Social Security benefits will receive their payments later this week. The Social Security Administration (SSA) distributes billions in benefits every month to nearly 70 million recipients, making it a crucial source of income for retirees across the United States.
Due to the vast number of recipients, not everyone is paid on the same date. Payment schedules are organized based on birth dates and the duration of benefit claims. This week, payments will be made on Wednesday, March 12, for claimants whose birthdays fall between the 1st and 10th of any calendar month.
This schedule does not apply to beneficiaries receiving benefits since before May 1997 or those receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI). These groups were already paid earlier this month. To claim Social Security retirement benefits, one must be 62 or older and have worked and paid Social Security taxes for at least 10 years.
The SSA notes that the maximum benefit depends on the age of retirement. For instance, retiring at full retirement age in 2025 offers a maximum benefit of $4,018.
Payment schedule for March benefits
Retiring at age 62 in 2025 would result in a maximum benefit of $2,831, and retiring at age 70 in 2025 offers a maximum benefit of $5,108. These amounts are subject to individual lifetime earnings and the number of years Social Security taxes were paid.
In January 2025, the average retirement check issued was $1,976. If recipients do not receive their payments on the expected date, the SSA recommends waiting three working days before contacting the agency. Weekends and public holidays are not considered working days.
Due to recent legislative changes, some federal employees, including teachers, firefighters, police officers, and their spouses, will see boosted payments starting in April. This follows removing two provisions that had previously reduced benefits for approximately 3.2 million workers. The SSA is undergoing extensive changes, including workforce reductions and department closures, which were announced in February.
The agency has also confirmed that any outstanding debts will result in 100 percent of benefits being withheld until the debt is settled. For more information and updates, recipients must visit the official SSA website or contact the agency directly.
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