As the end of March 2025 approaches, the Social Security Administration will mail the last Social Security check on Wednesday, March 26. These checks are only for retirees born between the 21st and 31st of each month. If your birthday falls on those dates, you should expect to see payments in your bank account on March 26, 2025.
With millions of retirees relying on Social Security to pay for essential expenses, it is important to understand the payment schedule. Here’s what you need to know about the final March Social Security payment, the amount you can expect, and what to do if your check doesn’t arrive on time.
Who is eligible for the March 26th Social Security payment?
Instead of sending all payments on a single day, SSA follows a payment schedule that divides retirees into three groups. Retirees born between the 1st and 10th of each month receive their March benefit on Wednesday, March 12, while those born between the 11th and 20th receive checks on Wednesday, March 19. The last group, born between the 21st and 31st, will receive their Social Security checks on Wednesday, March 26.
Who is not eligible for the March 26th Social Security payment?
The following groups of retirees will not receive their payments on the above schedule.
Retirees who began receiving benefits before May 1997 receive payments only on the 3rd of each month, rather than according to the birthday-based schedule. Therefore, for this group of retirees, their March payments were already paid on March 3, which was a Monday, and the next payment will be made on April 3.
Recipients who receive SSI benefits in addition to Social Security received their checks on February 28 because March 1, the scheduled date for this group, was a Saturday. Those who receive both Social Security and SSI were paid on March 3.
How much can retirees expect to receive on March 26?
An individual’s earnings history, the age at which they began claiming benefits, and the annual cost-of-living adjustment are the main factors that affect the amount of Social Security payments. For 2025, retirees are expected to receive
- Up to $5,108 per month for those who delayed retirement until age 70.
- $4,118 per month for retirees who claim benefits at age 67, which is the current full retirement age (FRA).
- $2,831 per month for retirees who claimed Social Security benefits as early as age 62.
However, according to official SSA data, the average monthly retirement benefit in 2025 will be $1,978, meaning that most retirees will not receive the maximum payments listed above. Therefore, the payments you receive on the 26th could be higher or lower depending on your circumstances.
What to do if you do not receive your payment on March 26
If you do not receive your payment on March 26, you should:
- Wait at least three business days to allow SSA and banks to process payments. According to the SSA, you should wait until the 29th before taking any action.
- Check your SSA account by logging into My Social Security on SSA.gov to verify your payment information.
- Confirm with your bank to make sure there are no processing delays on their end.
- Report missing payments by contacting SSA at 1-800-772-1213.
Expected Social Security changes to watch for
While payments for March 26 have already been confirmed, retirees should be aware that their payments may be delayed due to potential changes and updates. Some of these changes include SSA staffing reductions that could result in slower processing times, which could delay future payments. In addition, due to recent SSA adjustments, retirees will see an increase in their benefits beginning in April.
Retirees born between the 21st and 31st of any month should expect their March payments on Wednesday, March 26. Although the average check is about $1,978 per month, the maximum possible benefit is $5,108 per month. If you do not receive your payment by March 29, check your SSA account or call SSA at -800-772-1213.