If you receive Social Security retirement benefits in the United States, knowing your exact payment date each month can make life easier. Thankfully, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has a clear payment calendar that helps you find out when your check will arrive. This makes it much easier to plan your budget, pay bills on time, and manage day-to-day expenses.
Let’s take a look at who will get the next Social Security check on April 16, and how you can know your payment schedule every month.
How Does the Social Security Payment Calendar Work?
The SSA sends retirement payments based on two main details:
- When you started receiving benefits (before or after May 1997)
- Your birth date
This system divides retirees into four main groups, and each group gets their payment on a specific day of the month. Once you know your group, you can predict your payment day every month.
Who Will Get the Next Social Security Payment?
The next retirement payment will be made on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. This is the third Wednesday of the month and is reserved for Group 3 retirees.
To be part of Group 3, you must meet these two conditions:
- You began receiving Social Security benefits after May 1997
- Your birthday falls between the 11th and 20th of any month
If both apply to you, then you can expect your next check to arrive on April 16, 2025.
How Does Direct Deposit Help?
If you’ve signed up for Direct Deposit, your Social Security payment will usually be available on the same day—April 16 in this case. This is the fastest and safest way to receive your benefits.
However, if you still receive paper checks, or if your bank has processing delays, your payment might take a few more days to show up in your account.
Important Note: If you owe money to your bank (for example, unpaid loans or fees), the bank may hold or delay your payment. Always check with your bank if your deposit doesn’t arrive on time.
What About the Other Social Security Payment Groups?
Here’s a quick look at how the SSA divides retirees into groups:
- Group 1: Received benefits before May 1997 – Paid on the 3rd of each month
- Group 2: Birthday falls between 1st–10th – Paid on the second Wednesday
- Group 3: Birthday between 11th–20th – Paid on the third Wednesday (April 16 this month)
- Group 4: Birthday between 21st–31st – Paid on the fourth Wednesday (April 23 this month)
Knowing your group lets you plan your monthly spending better.
The next Social Security retirement payment will be sent on April 16, 2025, but only to those in Group 3. To receive this check, you must have started receiving benefits after May 1997, and your birthday must fall between the 11th and 20th of any month. If you use Direct Deposit, you’ll likely see the money in your account on the same day.
Being aware of your group and payment date helps you plan bills, grocery shopping, and other household needs with ease. And while you may only get one check per month, knowing exactly when it will arrive brings peace of mind and better financial control.
