For millions of retirees in the United States, knowing when their Social Security checks will arrive is important for managing their monthly expenses. In April 2025, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will continue its regular payment schedule, sending checks on different days depending on your retirement group and birthdate.
The next important date to remember is April 3, 2025. On this day, Retiree Group 1 will receive their Social Security payment. But if you retired after May 1997, you’ll have to wait a bit longer to receive your check.
Why the Social Security Payment Dates Are Different
The SSA divides retirees into different groups based on two things:
- When they started receiving Social Security (before or after May 1997)
- Their birthdate
This system helps the SSA manage and organize payments smoothly, without delays.
If you started receiving your Social Security check before May 1997, you’re in Retiree Group 1, and you will receive your monthly benefit on April 3, 2025. However, if your Social Security benefits started after May 1997, you’ll be placed into one of three other groups and get your payment later in April.
Full Social Security Payment Schedule for April 2025
Here’s the complete Social Security payment schedule for April 2025:
April 1 – Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments
April 3 – Payments for retirees who started benefits before May 1997
April 9 – Retirees after May 1997 with birthdays from the 1st to the 10th (Retiree Group 2)
April 16 – Retirees after May 1997 with birthdays from the 11th to the 20th (Retiree Group 3)
April 23 – Retirees after May 1997 with birthdays from the 21st to the 31st (Retiree Group 4)
So, depending on your birthday and the year you retired, you’ll receive your Social Security check on one of these days.
What If You Don’t Use Direct Deposit?
If you haven’t set up Direct Deposit, your payment might arrive a few days later. But don’t worry—you’ll still receive your money. The only difference is that bank transfers are faster than receiving a check by mail.
Setting up Direct Deposit can make sure your money comes on time, without any delay or postal issues.
Why This Schedule Matters
Knowing your exact payment date helps you plan your monthly budget better. For retirees who rely mainly on their Social Security check, even a few days’ difference can matter a lot when it comes to paying bills, buying groceries, or handling emergencies.
The good news is, the SSA sticks to this schedule every month unless there’s a public holiday or unusual situation.