The viral $4,983 number circulating online is not a new stimulus or special payout. In 2025, the maximum Social Security retirement benefit is $5,108/month for someone who worked at or near the taxable maximum for 35 years and claimed at age 70. Typical retirees receive much less—about $1,976/month on average in early 2025.
August 2025 Social Security Payment Dates
Social Security pays on Wednesdays based on your birth date (if you started after May 1997). For August 2025, the schedule is:
- Aug 13 (birthdays 1–10)
- Aug 20 (birthdays 11–20)
- Aug 27 (birthdays 21–31)
People who’ve received benefits since before May 1997 are paid on the 3rd of the month, and SSI is paid on the 1st. Due to the calendar, SSI beneficiaries also receive an early September payment on Aug 29.
How Much You Could Receive in August
Your exact amount depends on lifetime earnings, claiming age, and program type.
| Program / Situation | Typical / Max Amount (2025) | Who Gets It | August 2025 Pay Date(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retired worker (average) | $1,976 | Most retired workers | Aug 13, 20, 27 (by birth date) |
| Retired worker (maximum) | Up to $5,108 | Very few—35 yrs of max earnings + claimed at 70 | Aug 13, 20, 27 (by birth date) |
| SSI (individual federal rate) | $967 | Low income/limited resources | Aug 1 and Aug 29 (early Sept payment) |
| Filed before May 1997 (OASI) | Varies by record | Long-time beneficiaries | Aug 3 (or prior business day if weekend/holiday) |
Key point: There is no special $4,983 deposit for everyone. Payments follow the standard schedule and your benefit formula—based on Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME) and claiming age.
Eligibility at a Glance
- Social Security retirement: based on work credits and earnings history; amount varies widely.
- SSI: means-tested; 2025 federal base is $967 (individual) and $1,450 (couple). States may add supplements.
- Maximum benefit ($5,108): only if you paid Social Security tax on maximum-taxable earnings for ~35 years and delayed to age 70.
What Changed in 2025
- COLA 2025: +2.5%, which lifted average and maximum checks modestly.
- Payment schedule rules and birth-date Wednesdays remain the same.
The headline “$4,983 direct deposit for everyone” is misleading. Your August 2025 payout follows the standard SSA calendar—Aug 13/20/27 for most retirees, Aug 1 for SSI (with an early Aug 29 September SSI).
Only a small minority receive the maximum benefit ($5,108); the average retiree gets about $1,976. Focus on your SSA record, claiming strategy, and the official 2025 schedule to know exactly what to expect.
