See the complete process to receive both $5,180 and $967 Social Security benefits in January 2025: Learn how to get the most out of your Social Security benefits, including the potential for $967 in SSI and $5,180 in retirement benefits. Learn about the requirements for eligibility, helpful advice, and a detailed guide to make sure you’re making the most of your income in January 2025.
Receive both $5,180 and $967 in Social Security benefits: If you want to optimize your Social Security benefits, you might consider the possibility of receiving both $5,180 in retirement benefits and $967 in Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in January 2025. Even though the concept sounds great, it’s important to understand the steps, prerequisites, and restrictions. This guide outlines eligibility requirements, how these programs operate, and practical actions to take to ensure you’re getting the most out of your benefits. To make the topic accessible, we’ll also explain how these payments work together, ways to increase your income, and real-world examples.
Get Both $5,180 and $967 Social Security Payments
| Program | Maximum Payment | Eligibility | January Payment Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Security Retirement | Up to $5,180/month | Earnings history, delayed retirement age | Varies by schedule |
| Supplemental Security Income (SSI) | $967/month | Limited income/resources, aged 65+, blind, disabled | December 31, 2024 |
| COLA Increase | 2.5% | Automatic for eligible beneficiaries | Applies across programs |
Even though it’s unusual to receive both $5,180 and $967 in Social Security benefits, you can optimize your benefits by being aware of eligibility requirements and how the programs work together. If you think you’re eligible for both, assess your financial situation, consider your options and get help from the SSA. You can maximize your benefits and secure your financial future with careful planning. You should also talk to benefits specialists or financial advisors to make sure you’re making wise choices.
Are you sure you can receive both payments?
Although it’s technically possible to receive Social Security retirement benefits and SSI at the same time, it’s uncommon because of SSI’s resource and income restrictions. Let’s examine the details of each program, how they work together and how some recipients may be eligible for both.
Social Security Retirement Benefits
Your work history determines your eligibility for Social Security retirement benefits. Your lifetime earnings and the age at which you begin receiving benefits determine how much you will receive. A portion of your pre-retirement income will be replaced by the program, depending on how much you paid in payroll taxes.
Important Information
- In 2025, the maximum payment is $5,180 per month for people who postpone retirement until age 70.
- A minimum of 40 work credits or approximately ten years of work is required for eligibility.
- Earnings made throughout your career that are at or near the maximum taxable earnings limit.
Schedule of payments:
- Payments are made on a monthly basis based on your date of birth.
For example:
In 2025, Mark, who consistently earned at the maximum taxable limit and postponed retirement until age 70, would receive the largest monthly benefit of $5,180. His higher earnings history and additional delayed retirement credits earned by delaying reaching full retirement age (FRA) are both reflected in this amount.
Security Income Supplement (SSI)
SSI provides financial assistance to elderly, blind, and disabled people with low income and resources. SSI is need-based and, unlike Social Security benefits, does not require a work history. Payroll taxes do not fund it; general tax revenues fund it.
Important information
- In 2025, the maximum payment for an individual is $967 per month.
- Eligibility requires income less than the federal benefit rate (FBR).
- Assets (resources) of less than $2,000 for single people or $3,000 for couples.
- U.S. citizenship or status as an eligible noncitizen.
For example:
As a disabled person with limited resources and no significant work history, Sarah is eligible for SSI and will begin receiving $967 per month in January 2025. This amount is needed to pay for necessities such as food and housing.
How to Increase Your Social Security Benefits
1. Identify Your Eligibility
To find out if you qualify for both programs, assess your financial situation. Think about the following:
- Income and work credits determine Social Security retirement benefits.
- Eligibility for SSI is based on asset and income limits. The amount of SSI payments can be reduced by any Social Security income.
Expert Advice:
If you’re not sure whether you qualify, use SSA’s online tool or speak to a Social Security representative for a thorough evaluation.
2. Delay retirement to maximize benefits
If you qualify for Social Security, postponing your retirement benefits until age 70 increases your monthly payments by about 8% annually after your FRA. Using this strategy can greatly increase your lifetime income.
Why delaying makes sense:
- If you claim at age 62, you’ll only receive 70% of your full benefit.
- If you claim at age 70, you’ll receive 124% of your full benefit.
Helpful tip:
To determine your benefits based on different retirement ages, use the SSA’s Retirement Estimator. (Click here to estimate your benefits.)
3. If you’re eligible, apply for SSI.
If your income and assets fall under the SSI limits, think about applying for this extra help. For people with low Social Security benefits, it can serve as an additional source of income.
How to apply:
- You can visit your local SSA office or submit your application online.
- Submit supporting documentation, including proof of resources, income and, if relevant, a disability.
Important information
Since SSI takes Social Security income into account when determining eligibility, receiving benefits from Social Security may result in a reduction in your SSI payment. Together, both programs are intended to give eligible people a starting income.
The Relationship Between Social Security and SSI
The amount of Social Security benefits you receive is determined by how much your SSI payment is reduced by the Social Security Administration (SSA). This is how it works:
- If your Social Security retirement benefit is more than the SSI earnings limit, you will not be eligible for SSI.
- You can get both payments, but if your Social Security benefit is less than the SSI limit, your SSI will be reduced.
For example:-
Jane’s Social Security retirement benefits are $700 per month. She may be eligible for an additional $267 in SSI benefits because it is less than the $967 SSI maximum, making her total monthly income $967. This change guarantees that people who meet the requirements for SSI will continue to receive a minimum income.