The Social Security Administration (SSA) is set to release its final round of March 2025 payments on Wednesday, March 26. Retirees born between the 21st and 31st of any month who started receiving benefits after May 1997 will see their payments deposited on this date. Some beneficiaries may receive payments as high as $5,108. However, these payments are not traditional “stimulus checks” like the Economic Impact Payments from the COVID-19 era. Instead, they include regular Social Security retirement, disability (SSDI), and survivor benefits.
March 26 Social Security Payments: What to Expect
1. Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2025
To keep pace with inflation, the SSA implemented a 2.5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2025, which took effect in January. This increase affects all Social Security payments.
- Average Payments: Before the COLA, the average monthly retirement benefit was $1,976. With the 2.5% increase, most retirees will now receive approximately $2,025 per month. Similarly, the average SSDI benefit, previously $1,620, has increased to about $1,660.
- Maximum Benefits: The highest possible monthly Social Security payments in 2025 are as follows:
- Retiring at age 70: $5,108
- Full retirement age (67): $4,018
- Early retirement at 62: $2,831
These figures reflect the COLA increase and vary depending on individual earnings history and claiming age.
2. Social Security Fairness Act and Retroactive Payments
The Social Security Fairness Act, signed into law in January 2025, repealed the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). This change affects over 3.2 million beneficiaries with non-covered pensions, leading to both retroactive and increased future payments.
- Retroactive Payments: Since February 2025, the SSA has been issuing retroactive payments to those impacted. These payments, covering benefits withheld since December 2023, will mostly be completed by late March.
- Average retroactive payment: $6,710
- Payment date: Some eligible recipients may receive these funds with their March 26 Social Security payment, while others may receive them separately by the end of the month.
- Future Benefit Increases: Starting with April’s payment (for March benefits), affected retirees will see higher monthly Social Security deposits due to the repeal of WEP and GPO.
How Much Will You Receive?
- Regular Social Security Recipients: If you are a retiree born between the 21st and 31st, you can expect around $2,025 on March 26, reflecting the COLA-adjusted benefit.
- Beneficiaries Affected by WEP/GPO Repeal: If eligible, you may also receive a one-time retroactive payment of $6,710 by late March, though exact timing may vary.
- Individual Variations: Your final payment amount depends on your earnings history, retirement age, and eligibility under the Social Security Fairness Act.
To check your exact benefit amount and payment status, visit your “my Social Security” account or the SSA’s Fairness Act page for further details.
