The Social Security Administration (SSA) in the United States is getting ready to send out the final round of monthly payments for April. This last payment will be delivered on April 23, marking the end of the April schedule. Millions of retired Americans rely on these monthly payments to support their living expenses.
Some people who delayed their retirement until they turned 70 years old and paid the highest amount into Social Security during their working years may receive as much as $5,108 per month.
How Social Security Payments Are Scheduled
Not everyone gets their payment on the same day. The SSA sends money based on a person’s birth date. This system helps avoid delays and makes the process smoother. It also ensures that each person receives their money on time without any confusion or backlog.
This method of staggered payments—spreading them out across the month—has been working well for many years and helps the SSA manage the large number of payments that need to be sent out each month.
How to Get the Highest Social Security Payment
The money you get from Social Security after retirement depends on two main things: when you retire and how much money you paid into the system during your working years.
You can start getting Social Security payments as early as age 62, but if you do, your monthly amount will be smaller. For example, someone retiring at 62 might get around $2,831 per month.
But if you wait until you’re 70 years old, your monthly check could be much higher—up to $5,108. This is a big difference and shows why some people choose to delay their retirement.
To help people plan, the SSA provides an online benefits calculator. This free tool lets you check how much you might receive based on your work history and earnings. It’s a good idea to use this tool before deciding when to retire.
Is Social Security in Financial Trouble?
Social Security is funded through payroll taxes. Both employers and employees pay into it. But there’s a concern. Experts say that by the year 2034, the Social Security trust fund may not have enough money to pay full benefits unless new laws are passed.
Why is this happening? One reason is that more people are retiring, and fewer younger workers are entering the job market. This makes it harder to collect enough taxes to support the growing number of retirees.
Many people are asking lawmakers to take action soon. If nothing is done, future retirees might see smaller monthly checks. It’s important to protect this program so that it continues to help retired Americans for many more years.