April 16 Social Security Payments: Eligibility and Updates

WASHINGTON – Eligible retirees can expect their Social Security payments on April 16, 2025, as part of a staggered schedule determined by their birth dates. This round of payments may be significant, with some beneficiaries potentially receiving over $3,500 depending on their earnings history and the age at which they filed for benefits.

To qualify for these payments, retirees must meet specific criteria set by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Beneficiaries in Group 3 will receive their checks on April 16, while Group 4 retirees will see their payments on April 23. As a reminder, the maximum Social Security benefit for 2025 is set at $5,108 per month, but the average recipient will likely receive a lesser amount.

While retirees eagerly await their checks, they should also note another looming deadline: the IRS‘s first-quarter estimated tax payment is due on April 15, 2025. Taxpayers are advised to file using Form 1040-ES and can calculate their payment using the Tax Withholding Estimator, completing transactions via IRS Direct Pay or other electronic methods.

In addition, eligible taxpayers may qualify for a one-time $1,600 tax refund related to their 2021 filings. The IRS has announced that details surrounding this initiative will be available soon as part of efforts to return unclaimed tax credits.

Changes in Social Security payments come alongside updates for millions of retired public workers. The recently enacted Social Security Fairness Act aims to rectify past provisions that reduced benefits for specific retirees receiving state or local government pensions. Affected beneficiaries will receive one-time retroactive payments by the end of March 2025, followed by higher monthly benefits starting in April.

According to the SSA, the adjustments stem from the repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), which disadvantaged public employees collecting other retirement payments. The agency estimates that over 2.3 million beneficiaries have seen their records updated under the Social Security Fairness Act.

Moving forward, to enhance security and prevent fraud, the SSA has introduced stricter identity verification protocols for new Social Security applicants and current recipients wishing to change their direct deposit information. For legitimate verifications, individuals may need to visit an in-person SSA office, a change aimed to strengthen security measures.

Additionally, all Social Security recipients will receive an estimated 2.5% increase in their monthly payments. While this is less than the previous years—3.2% in 2024 and a substantial 8.7% in 2023—the adjustment reflects stabilizing inflation trends over the past year.

The SSA continues to ensure that all beneficiaries are informed about their payment schedules. Regular monthly payments depend on when individuals were born, with new beneficiaries assigned payment dates. For most recipients, payment schedules are typically determined by the second, third, or fourth Wednesday of the month based on their birthdates.

In a significant operational shift, the SSA aims to transition to digital payment methods by September 30, 2025, eliminating paper checks. This change is expected to bolster payment security and reduce costs associated with mailing checks, given that a vast majority of beneficiaries—68 million—already receive deposits electronically.

For those awaiting April’s Social Security payments, patience is key. The SSA has encouraged beneficiaries to wait three additional mailing days before reaching out for assistance regarding their payments. If needed, the national toll-free number is available for inquiries, especially during off-peak hours to minimize wait times.

As Social Security payments progress through the month of April, eligible beneficiaries are advised to stay informed about their rights and obligations to ensure they receive the full benefits due to them.