The Social Security Administration (SSA) has confirmed new retirement payments for April 2025. These payments are for the second group of beneficiaries who started getting Social Security after May 1997. Depending on your birthday, your payment will arrive on one of three Wednesdays in the month.
Let’s take a simple look at who is getting paid, how much they will receive, and what changes have happened in 2025 due to the Social Security Fairness Act.
Social Security April 2025 Payment Schedule
Social Security benefits are paid based on your date of birth. Here is how it works:
- If your birthday is from the 1st to 10th, your payment came on Wednesday, April 9.
- If your birthday is from the 11th to 20th, you will get your payment on Wednesday, April 16.
- If your birthday is from the 21st to 31st, your payment is scheduled for Wednesday, April 23.
These payments include retirement, disability (SSDI), and survivors’ benefits.
Who Gets Paid on April 16?
If your birthday falls between April 11 and 20, your payment will be sent on April 16, 2025. This includes:
- Retirees: You must have earned at least 40 work credits, equal to around 10 years of work.
- Disabled individuals (SSDI): You must have a medical condition that keeps you from working for at least one year or is expected to cause death.
- Survivors: Family members like spouses, children, or dependent parents of a deceased person who was eligible for Social Security.
Note: Once SSDI recipients reach retirement age, their disability benefits automatically turn into retirement payments.
Social Security Average and Maximum Benefits in 2025
In 2025, the average monthly Social Security retirement benefit is $1,976, which is a 2.5% increase from the previous year.
- For couples where both partners get Social Security, the average combined payment is $3,089.
- If you retired at age 62, the maximum payment you can get is $2,831 per month.
- If you wait until full retirement age, the amount can go up to $4,018.
- And if you delay retirement until age 70, your payment could rise to $5,108 per month.
These amounts are based on your work history and lifetime income, especially if you earned close to the maximum taxable income, which is $176,100 in 2025.
What About SSI Benefits?
The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program is separate and supports low-income people, regardless of their work history.
- In 2025, individuals can receive up to $967 per month.
- Couples can get up to $1,450 monthly.
Unlike Social Security retirement, SSI is needs-based, meaning you qualify based on your income and assets.
Working While Receiving Social Security Benefits
If you’re under full retirement age and still working, your benefits might be reduced if your income crosses a certain limit:
- $23,400 per year if you’re below 67
- $62,160 during the year you reach full retirement age
But these rules don’t affect people already receiving the maximum amount.
Fairness Act Brings Extra $6,700 for Many
The Social Security Fairness Act, effective from January 2025, brought major changes for public service workers like teachers, firefighters, and federal employees. Earlier, their Social Security benefits were reduced due to rules like WEP (Windfall Elimination Provision) and GPO (Government Pension Offset). These rules were cancelled this year.
As a result:
- Between February and March, over 1.1 million people received retroactive payments averaging $6,700.
- Starting April, monthly benefits increased by:
- $360 for affected retirees
- $700 extra for spouses
- $1,190 more for widows and widowers
This has brought much-needed financial relief to many families. However, some payments may be delayed due to staff shortages and policy changes under the DOGE Department, including adjustments made during the Trump administration and experiments introduced by Elon Musk’s department.
The SSA has advised beneficiaries to wait until late April before asking about exact amounts, as adjustments are still being processed.
Social Security continues to be a major source of income for millions of Americans. With rising costs, every rupee (or dollar) counts. The April 2025 payments come with new updates, especially for those affected by past unfair rules.
Whether you’re getting retirement, disability, or survivors’ benefits, it’s important to stay informed and understand your rights. And if you’re one of the 1.1 million people who got a boost this year—congratulations, your voice was finally heard!