Each month, the Social Security Administration pays nearly 73 million benefits, mostly to retired participants. The government agency also offers financial support to people with disabilities and to the families of workers who have died.
The SSA aims to give financial support to everyone who benefits from the retirement, survivor, and disability insurance programs, as well as the Supplemental Security Income program.
When will beneficiaries receive their Social Security paychecks this month?
The organization sends checks based on when people were born and the benefits they get, following the Social Security payment schedule. With this monthly schedule, people will get their Social Security checks on these days:
- On the 2nd Wednesday, or January 8th, for all recipients who qualify for the RSDI programs and whose birthdates fall between the 1st and the 10th.
- On the 3rd Wednesday, or January 15th, for all recipients who qualify for the RSDI programs and whose birthdates fall between the 11th and the 20th.
- On the 4th Wednesday, or January 22nd, for all recipients who qualify for the RSDI programs and whose birthdates fall between the 21st and the 31st.
In addition to the regular payments to retirees, survivors, and disabled individuals, the federal agency will also make monthly payments to SSI recipients on January 31st since February 1st is on a weekend. So, these beneficiaries will get their benefits early to prevent any financial problems.
Social Security beneficiaries will receive between $1,976 and $5,108 this week
Based on the latest rules from the SSA, retired workers eligible for benefits this Wednesday will get monthly payments ranging from $1,976 to $5,108. The payment amount will be different for each person based on their situation, finances, and what they need to contribute.
For example, people who start getting benefits before their full retirement age (FRA) will receive about $2,831 each month. If they wait until they are 67, they can get up to $4,018. Retirees usually get about $1,976 a month. However, if they wait until they are 70 to retire, they could receive the highest Social Security benefit of $5,108 a month.
The new cost of living adjustment (COLA) for this year was announced last October. This means the new paychecks will already have the 2.5% increase, helping American beneficiaries keep up with inflation and pay for their expenses. With the new annual increase, here are the main payment amounts that the other recipients will get:
- Survivor benefits: older spouse $1,832
- Survivor benefits: Widowed parent and two qualifying children $3,761
- Survivor benefits: Aged Widow(er) Alone $1,832
- SSDI benefits: beneficiaries will receive, on average, $1,580
Can beneficiaries work and receive Social Security benefits?
The rules from the federal agency say that this year, people can work and still get their Social Security benefits. They need to be aware of certain income limits. If they earn more than these limits, the Social Security Administration might reduce their monthly benefits. For information about the earnings limit for 2025, please see the chart below:
| If you are | You can earn up to | Benefits withheld |
| Under full retirement age in 2025 | $23,400 ($1,950/mo.) | $1 for every $2 |
| Turning full retirement age in 2025 | $62,160 ($5,180/mo.) | $1 for every $3 |
| Beginning the month, an individual
attains FRA |
No limit | |
Remember that benefits held back because of your earnings will go up when you reach full retirement age. This will include adjustments for the months your benefits were held back in the previous year.
Why should beneficiaries open a My Social Security Account?
Creating a My Social Security Account allows users to safely and easily access Social Security services online. If you are eligible for Social Security benefits, you can ask for a new Social Security card, report your earnings if you work, and receive benefits from the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. You can download financial statements and ask for other changes like:
- Verify your earnings history, benefits, and payment details.
- Change your address and phone number.
- Start or change the direct deposit of your benefit payment.
If you are not getting your monthly benefits yet, you can check estimates of your retirement benefits for different ages or the dates you want to start receiving them. You can also check the status of your application and ask for an estimate of the Social Security and Medicare taxes you have paid.
