For millions of retirees in the United States, July 2025 means receiving their regular Social Security payments. These payments are a crucial source of income for many, but the schedule can vary based on a few important factors. Let’s break down how Social Security payments work in July and what you can expect.
When Will You Get Your Payment?
The schedule for Social Security payments in July 2025 is mostly consistent, but it changes depending on your specific situation. Here are the key dates:
- SSI Recipients, Overseas Residents, and Others with Special Cases: If you collect Supplemental Security Income (SSI), live abroad, or have certain state-covered Medicare premiums, you’ll receive your payment on July 3 (or the business day before if July 3 falls on a weekend).
- For Most Beneficiaries: If you’re not in one of the special cases, the date your payment arrives depends on your birthday.
- If your birthday falls between the 1st and 10th of the month, your payment will be on the second Wednesday, which is July 9.
- For those with birthdays from the 11th to the 20th, the payment will come on the third Wednesday, July 16.
- If your birthday is the 21st or later, your payment will be on the fourth Wednesday, July 23.
How Much Will You Receive on Average?
The amount you get depends on a variety of factors, including your age, how long you worked, and your earnings. Here’s a breakdown of the average amounts:
Average for Individuals: As of January 2025, the average monthly benefit for individuals is $1,976. This represents a 2.5% increase from the previous year due to the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).
Average for Couples: For couples who both receive Social Security benefits, the combined monthly total is $3,089.
Maximum Social Security Benefit
The amount of Social Security benefits you can receive also has a cap. Here’s a quick look at the maximum benefits, depending on when you retire:
If you start collecting Social Security at the minimum age of 62, the maximum monthly benefit is $2,831.
If you wait until your full retirement age (around 67 for most people), the maximum benefit increases to $4,018.
For those who can wait until age 70, the maximum benefit jumps to an impressive $5,108 per month.
This increase happens because the Social Security system adds about 8% more to your benefits for each year you delay taking them after full retirement age, up to age 70.
How Do You Reach the Maximum Benefit?
Not everyone will receive the maximum benefit of $5,108, but it is possible. To qualify for this amount, you need to meet a few requirements:
You must have earned a high income over the course of your working years.
You need to have worked for at least 35 years, as Social Security bases your benefit on the highest-earning years during this period.
You should also have earned income above the maximum taxable amount, which is $176,100 per year as of 2025.
Finally, you need to wait until age 70 to start collecting your benefits.
Some retirees, like Derek Fowler, have a wide range of Social Security amounts depending on when they start and how much they earned during their careers.
“Some earn close to the average, around $2,000. Others, like me, who started around 66, receive amounts in between. My check is around $3,800,” he says. A few lucky individuals who wait until age 70 may surpass the $5,000 mark.
Making the Decision: Early or Late?
The decision to take Social Security benefits earlier or later is a personal one. Starting earlier means receiving smaller payments over a longer period, while waiting allows you to receive more each month but for a shorter time.
Experts agree that Social Security typically covers only about 40% of pre-retirement expenses, so it’s essential to have other savings or income sources to make up the difference.
Social Security payments are an essential source of income for many retirees in the U.S. Understanding when to expect your payments and how much you can receive is important for planning your retirement.
Whether you’re receiving the average benefit or aiming for the maximum possible amount, it’s crucial to plan wisely and understand the options available to you.
