This Wednesday, February 26, 2025, is the last payment for the month corresponding to Social Security retirements. This concludes the February payment cycle, and beneficiaries must plan their finances accordingly, with the next deposits reactivated in March, according to the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) usual calendar.
Payments are made based on the date of birth, which is divided into three categories: those born between the 1st and 10th of any month, those born between the 11th and the 20th, and those born after the 21st.
The third payment was made today, making February complete for retirees (and disabled workers receiving SSDI).
Payment schedule for March 2025
Payments will be distributed on the following Wednesdays of the month:
- Second Wednesday: March 12 (beneficiaries with birthdays between the 1st and 10th of the month).
- Third Wednesday: March 19 (birthdays between the 11th and 20th).
- Fourth Wednesday: March 26 (birthdays between the 21st and 31st).
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients, or those who began receiving benefits prior to May 1997, typically receive payments on the first or third of the month, regardless of their birth date.
If your payment does not fall between these dates, check your personalized calendar on the my Social Security platform or contact the SSA with any questions. March brings new deposits, and advance planning is essential for effective financial management.
The maximum and average retirement payment in 2025
Remember that the maximum Social Security payment is set at $5,108 in 2025, but it only applies to a small percentage of beneficiaries who completed at least 35 years of work, paid about $20 in Social Security taxes, and earned high wages.
Perhaps your payment is closer to the average paid in January and February 2025, which was an estimated $1,976 for a retired worker and $3,089 for a couple filing jointly.
All of this has been impacted since January by the 2.5% cost of living adjustment (COLA). This annual increase is intended to help beneficiaries maintain purchasing power in comparison to the previous year’s inflation rate.
If your Social Security benefits have not been deposited as expected, first double-check the scheduled payment date using your my Social Security account or the SSA’s payment calendar. Allow up to three business days for possible delays caused by banking processing or mailing times (paper checks).
If the payment is still missing, contact the Social Security Administration immediately at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778) to report the issue.
