The U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) has begun distributing this month’s payments according to its regular schedule, with some exceptions for dates affected by weekends. Payments are sometimes made on the first day of the month, especially for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients and retirement beneficiaries who began collecting their payments before May 1997. In August 2025, this group received their payment on Friday, August 1, instead of the usual August 3 date, because that day fell on a Saturday. Payments were advanced to the nearest prior business day.
For most Social Security retirement beneficiaries who first claimed benefits after May 1997, payment dates are tied to the beneficiary’s date of birth and fall on a Wednesday. The SSA divides this group into three categories each month. Those with birthdays from the 1st to the 10th of any month receive their benefits on the second Wednesday, which in August is the 13th. Those born between the 11th and 20th will receive their benefits on the third Wednesday, August 20. Finally, beneficiaries born on or after the 21st will receive their payment on the fourth Wednesday, August 27.
SSI recipients will also notice a payment on Friday, August 29. While it may seem like an extra benefit, it is actually the September 1 payment sent early because that date falls on a Monday, which is part of a weekend for processing purposes. Such adjustments are common when scheduled payment dates land on non-business days.
The amount a beneficiary receives depends on several factors, including their work history and the age at which they claimed benefits. In 2025, the maximum monthly payment varies significantly depending on retirement age. Those who retired at age 62—the earliest age allowed—can receive up to $2,831 per month. Beneficiaries who waited until full retirement age, which is 67 for most people, can receive up to $4,018 monthly. Those who delayed benefits until age 70 can qualify for the highest possible monthly payment of $5,108.
Earning this maximum amount requires an extended and consistent work history. Specifically, the worker must have had at least 35 years of earnings at or above the taxable maximum, which in 2025 is $176,100. These high earnings allow the SSA to calculate the highest possible Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME), which leads to the maximum Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). However, very few beneficiaries achieve this level—fewer than two percent receive the maximum. The vast majority of recipients collect amounts much closer to the national average, which in 2025 is just under $2,000 per month.
If a scheduled payment does not arrive on the expected date, the SSA advises waiting three mailing days before taking further action. Delays can be caused by holidays, banking issues, or processing slowdowns. After this period, beneficiaries should call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 or visit their local SSA office. Another useful step is to log into the my Social Security online account to check payment status and confirm that banking details are correct. This ensures that any problems can be quickly identified and resolved.
