Millions of Americans receiving Social Security benefits are set to receive their April checks this week, with payments reaching up to $5,108 for some retirees who delayed their retirement until age 70. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), this week's disbursement applies to recipients with birthdays between the 21st and 31st of any month and who began collecting benefits after May 1997.
The SSA, which pays out more than $1 trillion annually to over 70 million Americans, distributes benefits according to a monthly schedule based on recipients' birth dates and claim status. For April 2025, those born between the 21st and 31st are scheduled to receive their checks on Wednesday, April 23. These payments exclude individuals who began collecting prior to May 1997, who typically receive benefits at the start of the month.
The maximum retirement benefit for 2025 stands at $5,108 per month, available only to retirees who delay collecting Social Security until age 70. For those retiring at the full retirement age of 67, the maximum monthly benefit is $4,018, while early retirement at age 62 reduces that figure to $2,831. The SSA reported that in January 2025, the average monthly retirement benefit was $1,976.
The April 2025 payment calendar is as follows:
- April 1: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries.
- April 3: Retirees who began collecting before May 1997 and those who receive both SSI and retirement benefits.
- April 9: Recipients born between the 1st and 10th.
- April 16: Birthdays between the 11th and 20th.
- April 23: Birthdays between the 21st and 31st.
Eligibility for the highest possible benefit depends on several factors, including delaying retirement, working at least 35 years, and maintaining a high salary during those years. Social Security calculates benefits based on the 35 highest-earning years of a worker's career.
Those whose birthdays fall between May 21 and 31 get their payment on May 21 of each month, SSA stated, noting that such recipients are part of Group 4-individuals who began receiving payments after May 1997. Depending on lifetime earnings and retirement decisions, these retirees may qualify for above-average payments.
The SSA recommends that beneficiaries monitor their accounts through the official my Social Security portal and contact the agency if payments are delayed beyond three working days. Federal holidays and weekends are excluded from this timeframe.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a separate program for low-income elderly or disabled individuals, was disbursed on April 1. Other April payment dates included April 3 for pre-May 1997 retirees and SSI recipients, April 9 for those born between the 1st and 10th, and April 16 for those born between the 11th and 20th.
In 2025, the maximum monthly SSI benefit is $967 for individuals and $1,450 for couples, with actual payments varying based on household income, living arrangements, and disability status.
