February brings important financial news for retirees and those receiving disability benefits. This month, the Social Security Administration (SSA) approved payments of up to $5,108 for those who meet the maximum requirements.
Although the first disbursement of the month (February 12) has already reached the accounts of beneficiaries born between the 1st and 10th of any month, two important dates remain. We explain everything to you step by step, so you don’t miss anything.
Payment schedule: When do you have to receive your retirement?
As we discussed in the previous paragraph, the SSA maintains an organized system for distributing payments based on each beneficiary’s date of birth, as seen in the first payment on February 12.
This month’s schedule includes the other two groups as follows:
- February 19 (third Wednesday): For those born between the 11th and 20th of any month.
- February 26 (fourth Wednesday): Aimed at birthdays from the 21st to the 31st.
The next payments for March are: the 12th, 19th, and 26th, in the same group order as in February. If you have received Social Security benefits since before May 1997, your payment was already made on February 3, following the usual schedule for this group.
Why do the amounts vary up to $5,108?
The number 5,108 is not at random; it corresponds to the beneficiaries who earned the most work credits over the course of their careers. Working and paying Social Security taxes earns you these credits, which will be worth $1,810 in 2025. Most people need 40 total credits, with at least 20 earned within the last decade, before retiring or declaring disability.
However, there is some flexibility. Depending on their circumstances, young people or those with early disabilities may require fewer credits to apply for disability benefits (SSDI). The key is to demonstrate a significant contribution to the system over several years of formal work.
The SSA recommends a payment method so that the money is not delayed
The Social Security Administration encourages beneficiaries to enroll in Direct Deposit, a method that speeds up the arrival of funds to your bank account by avoiding delays caused by physical mail or losses. If you haven’t activated it yet, you can do so online using the official SSA portal or by going to a local office.
First, check the official calendar to ensure that your date of birth corresponds to the group that has already received payment. If everything matches but there is still no money in your account:
- Wait 3 business days: Sometimes there are delays due to weekends or holidays.
- Contact the SSA: Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit their website to report the problem.
- Check your account statement: Make sure you have no blocks or errors in your banking information.
It is also recommended that you verify your date of birth in the system. Although it may appear obvious, some beneficiaries believe that the current month of birth influences the payment, but this is not the case; only the day you were born is important. For example, if your birthday is July 15, you belong to the 11-20 age group, regardless of whether it is summer.
