The Social Security Administration (SSA) will make its final June payment on June 25th. This deposit is applicable to beneficiaries born between the 21st and the 31st of the month. This disbursement concludes the monthly payment schedule for June 2025. The payment cycle will resume in July, according to the established schedule.
Following a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2025, maximum benefits returned to historical levels. This increase, which has been in effect since January, applies to all payments. For those who retired at the age of 70, the maximum monthly amount now exceeds $5,100. The annual COLA aims to maintain purchasing power against inflation, ensuring that recipients do not lose purchasing power.
Social Security payments based on retirement age
The new maximum amounts following the 2025 COLA are listed below. The maximum monthly benefit for early retirement at the age of 62 is $2,831. Those who choose to retire at age 67, which is considered full retirement for those born in 1960 or later, may receive up to $4,018. The highest amount corresponds to deferred retirement until age 70, with a monthly maximum of $5,108.
To receive the maximum Social Security benefit, you must meet three strict conditions. First, the beneficiary must have worked for a minimum of 35 years. During those years, annual income must be at or above the maximum taxable income. By 2025, the limit is set at $176,100.
Second, there cannot be any years with low or no income during that 35-year period. Third, claiming benefits must be delayed until the age of 70. This postponement raises the monthly payment by about 8% for each year after the full retirement age.
July Social Security payments are coming soon
Most of the June payments have already been distributed, and the July schedule follows the same pattern as previous months. There are no expected changes for this month, which begins in just a few days:
- July 1: SSI payments
- July 3: Those who claimed payments before May 1997, those who live abroad, or those who receive both Social Security and SSI
- July 9: Beneficiaries born between the 1st and 10th (claiming after May 1997)
- July 16: Beneficiaries born between the 11th and the 20th (claiming after May 1997)
- July 23: beneficiaries born between the 21st and 31st (claiming after May 1997)
If a payment is not received by the scheduled date, it is recommended that you wait three business days. There may be occasional bank or postal delays. If the payment does not appear within this time frame, you should contact the Social Security Administration. The phone number is 1-800-772-1213, which is available during business hours (based on your local time).
Social Security will suspend paper check payments for 456,000 beneficiaries
Beginning September 30, 2025, the Social Security Administration will eliminate paper checks for federal benefits. This is a permanent measure that requires the transition to electronic methods. It impacts all payments, including Social Security, SSI, and SSDI. The change is based on a federal executive order.
Approximately 456,000 beneficiaries continue to receive their monthly payments by physical check. This figure accounts for approximately 0.7% of the total 68 million Social Security recipients. Estimates differ slightly between sources, but they are generally consistent on a small scale. A particular segment of the population will be affected.
People with disabilities, rural residents, and older adults are frequently among those affected. It also affects those without access to traditional bank accounts. This group includes beneficiaries who have limited digital capabilities. These characteristics distinguish those who still rely on physical means.
The White House justified its decision by citing an increase in mail theft and check fraud during the pandemic. They recognized the significantly higher risk associated with Treasury checks. Specifically, they’re “16 times more likely to be reported lost or stolen, returned undeliverable, or altered than an electronic funds transfer.”
Beneficiaries must select one of the authorized electronic methods for receiving funds. Direct deposit into a bank or credit union account is a valid option. Government-issued prepaid debit cards (Direct Express) and digital wallets are also accepted. Real-time payment systems are another viable option.
