On Wednesday, April 16, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will send monthly payments to Group 3 retirees, marking a significant moment in the 2025 payment calendar due to new federal regulations and benefit increases.
Who Qualifies for April 16 Payments?
Payment distribution for Social Security benefits in the United States is organized based on the retiree’s birth date and the date of benefit approval. For Group 3, eligibility hinges on two specific conditions:
- The retiree’s benefit must have started after April 1997, and
- Their date of birth must fall between the 11th and 20th of any month.
This means individuals in Groups 1, 2, and 4 will not receive their payments on April 16.
How Much Are the 2025 Payments?
Monthly amounts vary based on a beneficiary’s work history and contributions to the system. In 2025, the maximum monthly benefit has increased to $5,108, although most retirees receive much less.
Typical payments range from $1,500 to $2,000 for the average retiree. The maximum benefit at age 70 now climbs to $5,180 per month.
Major Benefit Boost: New Fairness Act Takes Effect
This April also sees the Social Security Fairness Act kick in, eliminating both the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). These long-debated rules had reduced payments for those receiving certain public pensions. With their repeal:
- Retirees see an average increase of $360,
- Spouses gain about $700, and
- Widows and widowers could receive $1,190 more per month.
These changes represent one of the most substantial adjustments to Social Security in recent years.
Updated Regulations: Identity Checks and Overpayment Recovery
Starting April 14, the SSA now requires most identity updates to be verified in person—except for those applying for Medicare, disability, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Other updates include:
- Direct deposit changes are now processed within one business day.
- Overpayment recovery reverts to full withholding of monthly benefits until debts are paid, excluding SSI recipients and legacy exceptions.
What to Expect Next
The SSA continues to modernize its operations. Beneficiaries are encouraged to review updates on the official SSA website or visit their nearest local office for assistance.
With higher payments, stricter verification rules, and faster processing, 2025 is reshaping how retirees experience Social Security in the United States.
My husband was in a bad car accident (not his fault and rolled down a hill 3X in dec. 09,2022. He had 9 concussions already from the past and was on disability but when FRA came SS rolled it over to retirement. I sent in a SSDI application with letters from a few of his dr’s he is still seeeing but not getting better, He had a MRI, Brain Scan & X-rays. See’s several doctors. and he got a bad concussion and slight brain damage from this accisent . He can’t do anytning anynore. He’s 69, I’m 71 yrs old and have to do everything as he can’t walk long, can’t remember, has severe headaches, knee replacement and SS denied himSSDI. So I’m applling again. (spouse) Christopher R ottner