The second Wednesday of June 2025, which is June 11, marks a crucial date in the financial calendar of millions of Americans. On that day, according to the schedule established by the Social Security Administration (SSA), monthly benefits will be deposited for a specific group of retirees, people with disabilities, and survivors.
For many, this payment represents the backbone of their monthly financial stability, a tangible reminder of decades of work or a social safety net in times of need. With a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in effect for 2025, eyes are focused not only on the date, but also on the amount that will hit their accounts.
Who receives their Social Security payments on June 11?
The SSA’s payment system distributes benefits over three Wednesdays of the month, determined by the beneficiary’s date of birth. For the June 11 payment (the second Wednesday), the eligible group is clear:
- Retirement, disability (SSDI), or survivors’ benefits beneficiaries whose birthdays fall between the 1st and 10th of any month.
- This rule applies specifically to those who applied for benefits after May 1997.
- Those who received benefits before May 1997 or those who receive both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are excluded from this date, as the latter are usually collected on the 3rd of the month.
The 2.5% COLA for 2025 translates into concrete increases in beneficiaries’ checks. According to data widely reported by sources such as Investopedia and based on SSA figures:
- Average Retirement: The typical retiree will receive $1,976 in June 2025. This represents an increase of $49 from the average of $1,927 in 2024.
- Retired Couples: When both spouses receive benefits, the average joint payment is $3,089 per month.
- Disability (SSDI) beneficiaries: The average payment for this group is $1,580 per month in 2025.
Since the payment date (second, third, or fourth Wednesday) does not influence the calculation of the individual benefit, these averages are assumed to be representative of the beneficiaries who will receive their benefits on June 11, considering an even distribution of birthdates across the population.
After the first payment for these three groups, those whose birthdays are between the 11th and 20th of the month expect their payment on June 18 (the third Wednesday); and beneficiaries whose birthdays are between the 21st and 31st of any month will receive their payment on the fourth Wednesday, or June 25.
The all-time high benefit: $5,108 for those who qualify
While most receive amounts close to the average, there is a significantly higher ceiling, but reaching it requires exceptional circumstances.
The maximum monthly benefits in 2025 are:
- $5,108: For those who retire at the maximum age of 70.
- $4,018: For those who retire exactly at their full retirement age (FRA, between 66 and 67 for most retirees in 2025).
- $2,831: For those who choose to retire at the minimum age of 62.
Achieving the maximum benefit isn’t a matter of luck. Sources such as Investopedia and the SSA detail the strict requirements:
35 years of maximum earnings: The benefit calculation is based on the 35 years of highest earnings, adjusted for inflation. To qualify for the maximum, a worker must have earned the maximum wage subject to Social Security taxes (or very close to it) for at least 35 years. In 2025, that cap is $176,100 (Kiplinger). Professions such as doctors, senior executives, or highly specialized engineers often fall within this range, but maintaining it for 35 years is a considerable challenge.
Delay retirement until age 70: The key age is 70. Each year you postpone claiming benefits beyond FRA (until age 70), your benefit increases by approximately 8% annually (the so-called “delay credits”). Retiring at age 70 is essential to getting the maximum amount possible based on your earnings history.
The combination of these two factors—a career with consistently high earnings for decades and the ability to delay retirement until age 70—is rare. Therefore, only a small fraction of beneficiaries actually reach the $5,108 maximum; it is believed that less than 4% are privileged to reach this maximum benefit.