New $1,875 Social Security Checks Start This Month — Are You Eligible for the Payout?

Millions of Americans are seeing a welcome boost to their Social Security checks this month, thanks to a major policy shift that officially kicked in for April 2025.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has started rolling out monthly payments averaging $1,875, part of a broader update connected to the Social Security Fairness Act. This law, passed in late 2024, repealed two controversial rules, the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), that had long reduced benefits for many public workers.

Who’s Getting the Boost?

This increase mainly helps retired teachers, police officers, firefighters, and other government employees who paid into pension plans instead of Social Security during their working years. Previously, those workers often saw their Social Security checks slashed — even if they had paid in for years, due to WEP and GPO.

Now, with those rules gone, affected individuals are finally receiving their full earned benefits, plus a little extra.

What’s Included in the Payment?

• New Monthly Amount: The average benefit has increased to $1,875, depending on your personal earnings history.

• Retroactive Back Pay: Many people are also getting one-time lump sum payments of around $6,710, covering missed benefit amounts from January 2024 to March 2025.

Some of these retroactive payments started arriving in bank accounts back in February, and they’re continuing through spring.

Payment Dates to Watch in April

The SSA is sticking to its usual staggered payment schedule, so when you get paid depends on your birthday:

• April 9: For those born between the 1st and 10th of the month

• April 16: For birthdays between the 11th and 20th

• April 23: For those born between the 21st and 31st

Make sure your direct deposit details or mailing address are up to date to avoid delays.

Still Waiting? Here’s What to Do

While most beneficiaries will see their updated payments automatically, the SSA says a few complex cases may take longer to process. If you haven’t received your payment within three mailing days after your scheduled date, it’s a good idea to contact your local Social Security office or check your account online at ssa.gov.

Bottom Line

This is a long-overdue win for many Americans who’ve been shortchanged on their Social Security checks for years. Whether you’re receiving monthly retirement benefits or qualifying as a spouse or survivor, this change could mean hundreds more in your pocket — every month.

Be sure to check your eligibility, confirm your payment date, and don’t miss out on what could be thousands in back pay.