For millions of Americans, receiving a Social Security check every month isn’t a luxury—it’s a basic need. It’s the steady income that allows retirees and people with disabilities to live with some peace of mind. Whether it’s covering rent, buying medicine, or making sure there’s food on the table, these payments make a real difference.
That’s why even a small increase is appreciated. And now, thanks to the 2025 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), Social Security recipients will notice a little extra in their upcoming payments.
Who Will Get Their Payment on April 23, 2025?
Not everyone will receive a payment on April 23. The Social Security Administration (SSA) follows a strict calendar based on when you started receiving benefits and your birth date.
You’ll get your payment on April 23 if:
- You started receiving Social Security benefits after May 1997.
- Your birthday falls between the 21st and 31st of any month.
This group includes both retirees and disability beneficiaries (SSDI).
It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been receiving your checks—if you meet these two conditions, your payment is on the way.
How Much Will You Receive?
Because of the 2.5% COLA increase that started in January 2025, payments are a little higher than last year:
- The maximum retirement payment can now reach up to $5,108 per month.
- For disability benefits (SSDI), the maximum amount is $4,018.
This increase isn’t a special bonus or one-time extra payment. It’s built into your monthly checks to help protect your money from inflation, making sure it keeps its real value as prices go up.
How to Increase Your Social Security Benefits
If you haven’t filed for Social Security yet, you still have some control over how much you’ll get later. Here’s how you can make the most of your benefits:
Delay Your Retirement:
The longer you wait after your full retirement age (up to age 70), the bigger your monthly check will be. Each year you delay adds about 8% more to your benefit.
Work at Least 35 Years:
Social Security looks at your best 35 years of earnings. If you have fewer than 35 years, they count zeros for the missing years, which lowers your average.
Earn More:
The higher your salary during those 35 years, the better your benefit calculation will be.
For people with disabilities, choosing when to apply isn’t an option. But they can make sure that their work history is accurate and request corrections if there are mistakes in their records.