Receiving retirement benefits after working more than 40 years could be one of the most exciting moments for millions of retirees who have waited to claim their Social Security benefits to finally enjoy their golden years. Depending on the age at which they claimed their first check, retirees and other beneficiaries can receive different payment amounts, but generally, on average, they will get $1,914 per month. Based on the current Social Security payment schedule for this year, retirees will receive the first payment tomorrow, December 11th. It is important to highlight that this payment will reach beneficiaries’ accounts only if they were born between the 1st and the 10th and who additionally claimed benefits after May 1997.
American retirees who will get a new Social Security check of $1,914 on average
After the Social Security Administration delivers the first Social Security check tomorrow, there will be two additional payments scheduled to be mailed on December 11th for those who were born between the 11th and the 20th and on the 24th for those who were born between the 21st and 31st. It is important to highlight that these payments are only for those who qualify for the retirement, survivors, and disability insurance (RSDI) program, as those who are eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) usually get their paychecks on the first day of the month.
However, this month comes with an exception as SSI recipients will receive an extra payment on December 31st. This payment is being made because January 1st falls on a holiday; as a result, the SSA will move the payment date to the day before, specifically Tuesday, December 31st. This payment will already come with the new 2.5% cost of living adjustment (COLA), which means that SSI recipients will be the first beneficiaries to receive the new boost. After they receive this payment, retirees, survivors, and disabled Americans will also receive their increased benefits as of January 3rd. Considering the 2.5% COLA increase, here is how much all beneficiaries will receive next year:
| Retirees amounts (2025) | Survivor benefits (2025) | SSDI benefits (2025) | SSI benefits (2025) |
| On average: $1,948 Age 62: $2,778 Age 67: $3,918 Age 70: $4,995 |
On average: $1,543
Individual: $1,817 2 Children: $3,744 |
On average: $1,575 Blind recipients: $2,655 Maximum payment: $3,918 |
On average: $715
Individuals: $967 Couples: $1,450 Essential person: $484 |
What do retirees need to retire before reaching the full retirement age?
For people who wish to begin receiving Social Security payments at age 62, the United States offers the option of early retirement. Employees who have contributed to the system for years are reaching a turning point. To be eligible for these benefits, one must fulfill several minimal standards the federal government sets. Workers who choose this option should be well aware of the requirements they must fulfill to be eligible for early retirement as 2025 draws near. Aside from the minimum age, additional variables that affect the amount of money that can be received include the number of years worked, contributions paid, and other aspects of the Social Security system.
The minimal requirements for eligibility to receive Social Security payments at age 62 in 2025 are mostly unchanged from prior years, while certain economic shifts may have an impact on the amount received. To be eligible for benefits, a worker must have worked for at least 40 quarters (10 years) and paid payroll taxes. The benefits depend on the worker’s historical earnings and contributions to the system.
In order to determine payments, the Social Security System considers the average of the highest incomes for the 35 years during which the highest income was obtained. The monthly payments, however, will be lower if an employee chooses to retire before the full retirement age of 66 because they are determined by the amount they would have received had they waited until full age.