Today, April 16, 2025, is a good day for thousands of retired Americans. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is sending out exclusive retirement payments to a specific group of beneficiaries, known as Retiree Group 3. This group will receive their monthly Social Security check today—and for some, the payment amount may be much higher than what they received in April 2024.
This special payment is part of the SSA’s organized monthly schedule, which divides retirees into different groups based on when they were born and when they began receiving benefits.
Who Gets the Social Security Payment on April 16, 2025?
The April 16 payment is only for Retiree Group 3, which includes people who meet both of the following requirements:
- You started receiving Social Security benefits after May 1997.
- Your birthday falls between the 11th and 20th of any month.
If you meet these two conditions, your retirement benefit will be sent today.
What If I Don’t Use Direct Deposit?
Those who have Direct Deposit activated will receive their payment on the same day—April 16. However, if you are still using a paper check or bank transfer without Direct Deposit, your money might take a few more days to arrive.
So, while the payment is sent today, the arrival date may vary depending on your chosen method of receiving Social Security benefits.
How Much Is Today’s Social Security Payment?
The amount you receive depends on your work history and how long you waited to start your benefits. For 2025:
- The maximum monthly payment for those who retired at age 70 is $5,108.
- Most retirees receive a lower amount, based on their lifetime income and the age at which they started collecting benefits.
So, while some retirees will get up to $5,108, the majority will receive their standard monthly payment, which still includes a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2025.
What Are the Other Payment Days in April 2025?
Social Security payments in the U.S. follow a four-group schedule:
- April 3: For people who started receiving benefits before May 1997 or those also getting Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
- April 9: For those born between the 1st and 10th of any month.
- April 16: (Today) For birthdays between the 11th and 20th.
- April 23: For people born between the 21st and 31st.
Each group gets paid on a Wednesday, based on the date of birth and when they began receiving benefits.
If you’re part of Retiree Group 3, your Social Security retirement check will arrive today—April 16, 2025. Make sure you’ve signed up for Direct Deposit if you want to receive your funds without delay.
Even if you’re not in this group, don’t worry. The SSA sends payments every week in April, depending on your eligibility. For many seniors, this monthly income is essential—and thanks to the COLA increase this year, the check is slightly higher than last year.