The Social Security Administration (SSA) has confirmed the exact payment dates for retirement benefits in April 2025. Many Americans rely on this monthly support, and the April schedule follows the usual system based on birthdays and payment groups.
Along with the regular payments, some beneficiaries will also receive a retroactive bonus of up to $6,700, thanks to a new law passed earlier this year.
Here’s a simple guide to everything you need to know about Social Security payments this month, including who qualifies for extra benefits.
Payment Dates for April 2025
Social Security retirement benefits are paid according to your birthdate and the group you belong to. Here’s how the April 2025 schedule looks:
- April 3: For people who started receiving benefits before May 1997 or those who get both Social Security and SSI (Supplemental Security Income).
- April 9: For those born between the 1st and 10th of any month.
- April 16: For those born between the 11th and 20th.
- April 23: For those born between the 21st and 31st.
These dates fall on the second, third, and fourth Wednesdays of the month, based on the SSA payment calendar.
How Many People Are Getting Paid This April?
Based on official data:
- Around 17.5 million beneficiaries will be paid on April 16.
- Around 19.3 million will receive their payments on April 23.
These numbers are estimates, assuming an even spread of birthdates across the 54.3 million retirement beneficiaries (excluding the group that gets paid on April 3). In total, more than 70 million people receive Social Security or SSI benefits.
Maximum Monthly Benefits in 2025
Your monthly Social Security benefit depends on the age when you start claiming. In 2025, the maximum amounts are:
- $2,831/month if you start at age 62
- $4,018/month if you start at age 67 (full retirement age for people born in 1960 or later)
- $5,108/month if you delay until age 70
These figures are based on maximum taxable earnings and are adjusted annually for inflation. In 2025, there’s a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) included, effective until December.
Waiting longer to claim benefits increases your monthly amount. For example, delaying retirement beyond age 67 earns you an 8% increase per year, up to age 70.
Why Are Some People Getting Up to $6,700 Extra in 2025?
Some retirees will see a big bonus this year—up to $6,700 in extra payments. This is due to the removal of two controversial rules: the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO).
These rules previously reduced benefits for people who had government jobs not covered by Social Security, such as teachers, firefighters, and police officers. The Social Security Fairness Act, signed into law in January 2025, eliminated these reductions.
As a result, eligible retirees are receiving retroactive payments to make up for the lower amounts they received since January 2024.
Who Qualifies for the $6,700 Bonus?
To get the extra payment:
- You must be a retiree with a government pension from a job not covered by Social Security.
- You should have been affected by WEP or GPO reductions in the past.
- This applies to around 2.1 million retirees and 770,000 spouses or survivors.
The average retroactive amount is around $6,650, though some may receive more or less based on their benefit history. For example, those getting a monthly boost of $587 might receive up to $7,044 for 12 months—very close to the $6,700 figure.
Social Security continues to be a vital source of income for millions of Americans. In April 2025, payments are being made as scheduled, and many retirees are seeing their biggest boost in years, thanks to recent changes in law. Whether you’re expecting your regular payment or one of the retroactive bonuses, it’s important to stay updated and know your eligibility.
If you’re not sure whether you qualify for extra payments, it’s best to check directly with the SSA or your local Social Security office. Keep an eye on your benefit notices and bank account this April—your extra funds could be on the way.