Millions of Americans like to prepare something special for Saint Valentine’s Day. If you rely on your Social Security payment to get by, you may want to know if your monthly payment will be delivered before or after this special event.
Only two groups of American retirees can receive Social Security before Saint Valentine’s Day. The rest will have to wait for just 5 days or up to 12 days. As for the amounts, they can be up to $5,108, though checks may be closer to average amounts, $1,976.
Social Security payments before Saint Valentine’s Day
The first February payment for retirees on Social Security will be due on the 3rd. Will you be eligible for the first payday before Saint Valentine’s Day? Only those who:
- Are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and retirement at the same time qualify, and
- those who received retirement benefits before May 1997.
- remaining eligible is also a must
After the February 3 payment, there will be a new payday on February 12, 2025. This will be when those who began collecting retirement benefits after April 30, 1997 will get their checks if they were born from the 1st to the 10th. The rest of the retirees will receive their check or direct deposit after Saint Valentine’s Day.
Social Security payments after Saint Valentine’s Day
If you need the Social Security payment to celebrate this special occasion, there is bad news. The payment for those born from the 11th to the 20th who did not qualify for a check before St. Valentine’s Day will be issued on February 19, 2025.
February 26 will be your next payday if you were born after the 20th. Thus, you will also receive Social Security after Saint Valentine’s Day. All the February payments will include the COLA increase, so they will be 2.5% higher than in 2024.
To receive the maximum retirement benefit in 2025 you must have earned the taxable maximum for 35 years, and it will not be enough. Filing at 70, having jobs covered by SSA and working all those years is essential. If so, you will receive $5,108.
How can check Social Security payment schedule
Sign Up for a “my Social Security” Account: The SSA provides an online portal called “my Social Security” that allows you to view personal benefit information, including payment dates.
SSA’s general payment schedule:
- If your birthday falls on the 1st–10th of the month, you typically receive benefits on the second Wednesday of each month.
- If your birthday falls on the 11th–20th, you typically receive benefits on the third Wednesday.
- If your birthday falls on the 21st–31st, you typically receive benefits on the fourth Wednesday.
- SSI payments are usually on the first of each month.
SSA sometimes sends out notices or statements indicating benefit amounts and expected dates for specific months. Keep these in a safe place for easy reference.
Most banks offer automatic alerts (text or email) to notify you of incoming deposits. Check your bank’s mobile app or website for “alerts” or “notifications” settings. Use your bank’s records to confirm the actual date your benefit was deposited. This is a good way to ensure no payments are missed.
