In the United States, Social Security payments help millions of retirees cover their daily expenses. These payments are sent out every month, but not everyone receives their check on the same day. Instead, the Social Security Administration (SSA) follows a 4-part payment schedule, which depends on when a person retired and sometimes even their birth date.
If you’ve already started receiving your Social Security benefits, you don’t need to do anything—your payment will arrive automatically on your scheduled date. However, knowing the exact day your money will come helps you plan your monthly budget better.
Let’s take a look at who’s getting their next payment and how much they can expect.
Who Is Getting Social Security Today?
The next round of payments is for Group 1 retirees. These are people who started receiving benefits before May 1997. This group always gets their payment at the beginning of the month.
But there’s one more important detail—whether or not you use Direct Deposit.
Here’s how it works:
To receive your payment today or within the next few hours, you must:
- Be a Group 1 retiree (started receiving benefits before May 1997), and
- Not have Direct Deposit set up (those with Direct Deposit usually get their payment a bit earlier).
If you meet both conditions, your Social Security check could arrive today or very soon. If you use Direct Deposit, you may have already received your money yesterday.
How Do Retirees Get Grouped?
The Social Security payment schedule places retirees into four different groups:
- Group 1: Retired before May 1997
- Groups 2, 3, and 4: Retired after May 1997
- These groups receive their payments based on their birth dates
If you’re unsure which group you belong to, check the year you started receiving Social Security. That will tell you when to expect your monthly check.
How Much Will I Receive in April 2025?
The 2025 COLA (Cost-of-Living Adjustment) has already been applied to Social Security benefits, so your payment in April 2025 will be the same amount you received in February and March.
For most retirees, the average payment is around $1,720 per month. However, depending on your past income and the age you retired, you could receive:
- Average Benefit: $1,720
- Maximum Benefit: Up to $5,180 (for those who delayed retirement and had high earnings)
Remember, most people will not receive the maximum benefit, as it is only available to high earners who retired late (often at age 70).
Can I Get Extra Support?
If your Social Security benefit isn’t enough to cover all your expenses, you might also qualify for:
- SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
- SNAP Food Stamps
These programs provide extra help to those with low income or limited resources. Check with the SSA or your state’s benefits office to see if you are eligible.