The Social Security Administration (SSA) is preparing to send the final round of April 2025 payments on April 23, marking the end of the monthly schedule for millions of American retirees.
These payments are part of a planned system where checks are sent out in groups based on birth dates, helping to manage the process smoothly and make sure everyone receives their money on time.
If you’ve delayed your retirement until age 70 and have paid the highest contributions during your career, you might qualify for the maximum Social Security check of $5,108. However, most people will receive a lower amount based on when they retired and how much they contributed during their working years.
Let’s break down how the Social Security payments work, who qualifies for the highest benefit, and what the future holds for the system.
Who Gets the Final April Payment?
The last Social Security retirement payment for April will be issued on April 23, 2025. The SSA sends out payments in stages based on your date of birth:
If your birthday falls between the 21st and 31st of any month, your payment is scheduled for this final round. This method of dividing payments by birth date makes the process easier and ensures that millions of beneficiaries receive their checks without delay or confusion.
How to Qualify for the Highest Monthly Payment
Social Security benefits are different for each person and depend on two main factors:
1. Age at Retirement
You can start getting Social Security benefits as early as age 62, but this comes with a lower monthly payment. For example, retiring at 62 might give you up to $2,831 per month in 2025.
However, if you wait until age 70, you can receive a much larger amount—up to $5,108 per month. Delaying your retirement increases your payment every year you wait, up to age 70.
2. Lifetime Contributions
The more you earned and contributed to Social Security through payroll taxes over your career, the higher your benefit will be. Those who earned the maximum taxable income and paid into the system over many years are the ones who qualify for the top payment.
Use the SSA Benefits Calculator
If you’re not sure how much you’ll receive, the Social Security Administration offers a free online calculator. This tool uses your earnings history to estimate your monthly benefit. It’s a helpful way to plan your retirement and choose the best time to start collecting benefits.
What About Social Security’s Future?
Even though Social Security remains one of the most important sources of income for older Americans, there are growing concerns about its long-term funding.
The program is supported by payroll taxes paid by both employees and employers. However, experts warn that the Social Security trust fund might run low by the year 2034, unless new laws are passed by Congress.
As the number of retirees increases and the number of workers contributing to the system decreases, there may not be enough money to pay full benefits in the future. Without action, future payments could be reduced.
Many lawmakers and financial experts are calling for urgent changes to keep the system strong and stable for years to come.