Aiexpress – The Social Security payment schedule will undergo significant changes in early 2025. Beneficiaries should be vigilant, as they will not receive a payment until at least a month before this year. This modification responds to a unique aspect of the calendar that began at the end of 2024.
The rules of the calendar state that, if the first day of the month falls on a holiday or weekend, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) checks are delivered on the previous business day. Therefore, the January checks were issued on December 31. For February, checks will be delivered on January 31st and for March, on February 28th.
The new cycle of Social Security payments
On this particular topic that calls us here, we must mention that, as the SSA explains, checks will not be issued in March until things return to normal in April. This adjustment in the schedule can cause confusion among beneficiaries who are accustomed to receiving their payments on a regular basis.
Changes to Social Security payments aren’t the only modifications beneficiaries will need to consider for 2025. Other changes include cost-of-living adjustments, new full retirement ages, and adjustments that could impact different groups of beneficiaries.
However, the most significant change could be on the way, as the country anticipates President Joe Biden signing recently passed legislation that would increase Social Security payments for millions of people. This bipartisan bill is notorious for eliminating long-standing reductions to Social Security benefits.
Approximately three million people who receive pensions from their jobs in federal, state, and local government, or public service jobs, could benefit from this legislation. Even though this change has been expected for decades, momentum for its passage has built in recent weeks, ending just before Congress recesses in 2025.
Maximum Social Security payments in 2025
In 2025, the maximum Social Security benefit varies depending on the age at which you decide to retire. If you reach your full retirement age, you can expect a maximum benefit of $4,018 per month. However, if you choose to retire at age 62, the maximum drops to $2,831 per month. On the other hand, if you delay your retirement until age 70, you can receive a maximum benefit of $5,108 per month.
Additionally, there are several changes to Social Security in 2025 that beneficiaries should be aware of. A 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will apply to both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, with the goal of helping people maintain their purchasing power.
The maximum income limit subject to Social Security tax will increase to $176,100, while the income limit for those who have not reached full retirement age will be $23,400. Beneficiaries are expected to see an average increase of approximately $50 in their retirement benefits; however, this net increase could be reduced when considering the costs of Medicare Part B payments.
Bipartisan approval of changes to Social Security
The vote in the Senate was notably bipartisan, with all Democrats and 27 Republicans supporting the bill. This resulted in a final count of 76 to 20. “Millions of retired teachers, firefighters, mail carriers, and state and local workers have waited decades for this moment,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
The legislation will repeal two provisions that limit Social Security benefits for some beneficiaries who receive retirement payments from other sources. The provisions eliminated are the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset. This revocation could mean an increase in monthly payments for those who currently have reductions in their benefits.
