Social Security

Today, millions of Americans across the country are receiving Social Security payments, with the average monthly check hitting nearly $2,000 for retirees. The U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) is distributing benefits as part of its monthly payment schedule, continuing to support retirees, disabled individuals, and survivors. Who Is Getting Paid Today? Social Security payments are made every month, but not all recipients get their money on the same day. The SSA divides the payment schedule based on the recipient’s birthday to streamline the process. For those whose birthdays fall between the 21st and 31st of any month, today is the official payment date. If your birthday is in this range, you can expect your payment to land in your bank account or mail box today, Wednesday...

A recent report by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has uncovered that the Social Security Administration (SSA) database included more than 12 million individuals aged 120 years and older who were marked as deceased. This startling revelation sheds light on outdated data, legacy system challenges, and ongoing federal efforts to clean up records and prevent misuse. The Scale of the Cleanup According to the DOGE report, a massive data review led to the identification and removal of approximately 12.3 million Social Security number holders who were categorized as being 120 years old or older and marked as deceased. The breakdown includes: 3.3 million people aged 120–129 3.9 million aged 130–139 3.5 million aged 140–149 1.3 million aged 150–159 124,000 aged ...

In an unusual occurrence, some Social Security recipients in the United States will receive up to three payments in May 2025. This rare event is due to an adjustment in the payment schedule by the Social Security Administration (SSA), and it has sparked curiosity and questions among beneficiaries. Here’s a clear and simple explanation of why this is happening and who exactly will receive these extra payments. Why Are Some Recipients Getting Three Payments? Typically, Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments are issued monthly on a regular schedule. However, in May 2025, some recipients will receive three separate payments, which is uncommon. The reason lies in how the SSA handles payment dates that fall on weekends or holidays. For SSI recipients, payments a...

Millions of Americans relying on Social Security benefits will receive payments starting this June 2025, with many beneficiaries seeing amounts up to $1,999 or more. With the recent 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) applied for 2025, recipients can expect slightly higher benefits compared to last year. Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming Social Security payments, who qualifies, and when you can expect the money to arrive. When Will You Receive Your Social Security Payment in June 2025? The Social Security Administration (SSA) follows a set schedule each month to distribute benefits. Payment dates depend primarily on your birth date and when you first began receiving benefits. Here’s the breakdown for June 2025: June 3, 2025: Payment for individuals who st...

If you’re dreaming of receiving the highest possible Social Security retirement benefit in 2025, it’s important to understand how much you need to earn and what steps you need to take. The maximum monthly benefit that someone retiring at age 70 can receive in 2025 is $5,108. But not everyone qualifies for this amount — the path to the maximum benefit requires specific income levels, years of work, and timing of your claim. How Social Security Benefits Are Calculated Social Security retirement benefits are based on your lifetime earnings. The Social Security Administration (SSA) calculates your benefit amount by averaging your highest 35 years of earnings, adjusting for inflation, and applying a formula to this average. If you work fewer than 35 years, the SSA fills in the missing yea...

Social Security spousal benefits provide an important source of income for millions of Americans, offering up to 50% of a spouse’s benefit amount. While this can be a helpful financial boost, many people make critical errors when claiming these benefits — mistakes that can permanently reduce their income. If you are planning to claim Social Security spousal benefits, it is vital to understand how the system works to avoid costly pitfalls. What Are Social Security Spousal Benefits? Spousal benefits are designed for married individuals whose own Social Security retirement benefit is less than half of their spouse’s benefit. In such cases, the lower-earning spouse may claim benefits based on their partner’s work record, receiving up to 50% of their spouse’s full retirement benefit (calc...

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is under intense scrutiny after a newly implemented fraud detection system flagged only two potentially fraudulent claims out of over 110,000 reviewed — even as the backlog for retirement claims approaches 600,000. Fraud Detection System Yields Minimal Results In April 2025, the SSA launched an initiative to curb fraudulent claims for retirement, survivor, and family benefits. This program involved using advanced tools from private vendors like TransUnion and PinDrop, aiming to identify suspicious phone-based claims. The system was designed to detect fraud early and prevent improper payments. Despite reviewing more than 110,000 claims, the fraud detection system flagged fewer than 1% as suspicious and ultimately identified just two claims w...

Social Security is a vital source of income for millions of Americans, especially retirees and those receiving disability benefits. Over the past month, two major changes have taken effect that could impact how you receive your benefits and how much you get paid. These updates are important to understand whether you are currently receiving Social Security or planning to in the near future. Here’s a clear breakdown of the two key changes and what they mean for you. 1. End of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) One of the most significant changes to Social Security in recent years took effect fully this past month with the repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). This change is part of the So...

The Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2026 is expected to be the lowest in five years, raising concerns for millions of retirees, especially Baby Boomer homeowners who rely heavily on these benefits to manage their household expenses. According to early projections, the COLA increase for 2026 will hover around 2.4%, significantly lower than the 8.7% boost seniors received in 2023. This adjustment is based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) and reflects a cooling inflation rate compared to the sharp rise seen in recent years. The Social Security Administration (SSA) typically announces the official COLA in October, after analyzing inflation data from the third quarter. The COLA is designed to help Social Security recipien...

In recent years, the average retirement age in the United States has been steadily increasing. More Americans are working past the traditional retirement milestone of 65, and many are choosing—or feeling forced—to extend their careers well into their late 60s and beyond. But why is this happening? The answer is a mix of economic realities, changing government policies, and evolving social attitudes toward work and retirement. Financial Necessity Is Driving Many to Work Longer A major reason more Americans are working longer is simple: money. Many people nearing retirement find their savings insufficient to cover the rising costs of daily living and healthcare. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 11 million Americans aged 65 and older were either working or looking ...