Some of the 50 million-plus retirees relying on Social Security benefits are about to see their next check hit their bank accounts on Wednesday, March 19. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will also be sending out payments to those receiving disability benefits and survivor benefits—so plenty of folks are watching their mailboxes and bank balances closely.
When are Social Security checks going out in March 2025?
Each month, Social Security follows a three-Wednesday payment schedule, meaning that most of the 73 million recipients get their money based on their birth date rather than all at once.
For March, this staggered system rolled out like this:
- March 12: Payments went to beneficiaries born between the 1st and 10th of the month.
- March 19: Up next are those born between the 11th and 20th—their deposits will arrive on this day.
- March 26: The final group—those with birthdays from the 21st to the 31st—will receive their payments.
If your birthday falls in the middle of the month, you’re next in line for a March 19 deposit—because Social Security likes to celebrate birthdays with direct deposits, not balloons.
Who doesn’t follow the Three-Wednesday payment schedule?
Not everyone gets their Social Security check based on their birthday. In fact, there are a few exceptions to the three-Wednesday rule:
If you started receiving retirement, disability, or survivor benefits before May 1997, this schedule doesn’t apply to you. Instead, your payments land on the third of each month, no matter when your birthday is. The only exception? If the third falls on a weekend or holiday, in which case the payment is sent earlier. For March 2025, this group received their checks on Monday, March 3.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients follow an entirely different schedule. SSI is a separate program from Social Security; it provides benefits to those with limited income and resources, regardless of their work history. These payments always arrive on the first of the month, unless that date happens to be a weekend or holiday. Since March 1 fell on a Saturday this year, SSI beneficiaries got their money a day early on Friday, February 28.
Some Americans qualify for both Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and regular Social Security benefits, which means they get two separate payments each month. If you’re in this group, your SSI check should have landed on February 28, while your regular Social Security payment arrived on March 3.
So, while most people have to wait for their assigned Wednesday, a lucky few still get their money on a fixed date, no birthday required!
Want to plan ahead? The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a full 2025 payment schedule available online. You can check it out on their official website to make sure you know exactly when to expect your next deposit.
How much do retired workers get from Social Security?
For the 52 million retirees in the U.S. relying on Social Security, the average monthly check comes in at just under $2,000. To be precise, the current average retirement payment is $1,978, according to the latest figures from the Social Security Administration (SSA).
Of course, not everyone gets the same amount. In 2025, the maximum possible monthly benefit for a retired worker is $5,108—but hitting that number means years of high earnings and waiting until full retirement age to cash in. For most folks, their Social Security check won’t make them rich, but it’s a crucial piece of their retirement puzzle.
Not everyone receiving Social Security benefits is a retiree. In fact, millions of Americans rely on disability, survivor benefits, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to make ends meet. Here’s how those payments stack up, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA):
- Disabled workers bring in an average of $1,580 per month.
- Survivor benefits provide around $1,546 monthly to those who qualify.
- SSI recipients, who typically have limited income and resources, receive an average of $714 each month.
While these numbers aren’t exactly enough to live large, they serve as a vital financial safety net for millions across the country.
