More than 70 million Americans receive retirement benefits distributed by the Social Security Administration (SSA) each month on four specific dates. The first set of payments is generally on the 3rd of each month (when it falls on a weekend, it is advanced to the nearest business day) for those beneficiaries who claimed their payments before May 1997.
That date (May 1997) was a turning point, as the payment schedule for those who claimed their benefits since then changed. These retirement beneficiaries (which includes surviving family members) are grouped together and sent on the second, third, and fourth Wednesdays of each month based on the beneficiary’s date of birth.
Two (out of four) Social Security payments were already sent in July
By now, July has already sent two of the four rounds of payments to retirees: for example, those who received their payments on July 3rd already have their money, as well as those who received their payments on the second Wednesday, which was July 9th. This second group is made up of those whose birthdays are between the 1st and 10th of any month.
Then, next week, beneficiaries with birthdays between the 11th and the 20th of any month will receive their payments. For them, the payment date is July 16th. The last group of the month will be on the 23rd, when retirees and surviving family members with a birthdate after the 21st of any month will receive their money.
How much will I receive in retirement in 2025?
In 2025, Social Security benefits in the United States will vary depending on the age at which a person decides to retire, and then on their earnings history throughout their working life. For those who choose to retire at age 62, the minimum age allowed by the SSA for early retirement, the maximum monthly benefit eligible is $2,831.
This amount represents the upper limit that someone can receive if they have contributed to the system for several years with relatively high income, but without having waited for their full retirement age (FRA).
On the other hand, if a person decides to wait a few more years, for example until age 67 (full retirement age for some beneficiaries, depending on their birth), the maximum benefit increases to a maximum of $4,018.
This amount is a sort of “reward” from the system to those who wait to reach the age considered standard by the SSA, and it also assumes having contributed with high income for at least 35 years.
For those who delay retirement until age 70, the age at which your retirement history stops accumulating savings, benefits may reach their absolute maximum. In 20b25, the maximum monthly amount for those who meet all the requirements—that is, have worked at least 35 years with income at the upper taxable limit and delay retirement until age 70—is $5,108.
On the other hand, the average benefit retirees will receive in 2025 is far from the maximum amount. Generally, most Social Security beneficiaries receive around $2,000 per month, but this average is not fixed; it has fluctuated throughout the year between $1,980 and as much as $2,002.
If your Social Security benefits don’t arrive on the expected date, the first thing you should do is wait three business days, as it may be a temporary delay. If after that time, your payment still hasn’t arrived, contact the Social Security Administration immediately at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local office. You can also check your account online at mySocialSecurity to verify the deposit status.
