When Will Social Security Payments Arrive in May 2025?

• Author: Jenny Wolff
• Posted: 2025-04-28

The Social Security Administration (SSA) will once again send out payments to millions of Americans in May 2025.

These payments include retirement, survivor, and disability benefits, as well as Supplemental Security Income (SSI). About 70 million people rely on these benefits every month.

Social Security payments are typically sent out as a single, monthly lump sum. Most recipients receive their funds according to a schedule based on their birth date or when they started collecting benefits.
 

Payment Schedule for May 2025

Here’s when you can expect Social Security payments in May, depending on the type of benefit you receive:
 

• Thursday, May 1: SSI payments will be sent.
• Friday, May 2: Retirement payments for individuals who started receiving benefits before May 1997 and those who also qualify for SSI benefits.
• Wednesday, May 14: Payments for people born between the 1st and 10th of any month.
• Wednesday, May 21: Payments for individuals born between the 11th and 20th.
• Wednesday, May 28: Payments for those born between the 21st and 31st.
• Friday, May 30: Advance SSI payments for June.

Special Note for SSI Recipients: SSI beneficiaries may receive two payments in May. This happens when the first day of the following month falls on a weekend or a federal holiday. In this case, the SSA sends the next month’s payment early.

Here’s how the SSA explains it: "When the first day of the month falls on the weekend or a Federal holiday, you receive your SSI payment on the last business day before the first day of the month. This ensures you don’t experience delays or financial issues."
 

What If Your Payment Is Late?

If your payment doesn’t arrive on the scheduled date, the SSA recommends waiting three working days (excluding weekends and holidays) before reaching out.
 

How Much Will You Receive?

The amount you receive from Social Security depends on several factors, including the type of benefit and your specific eligibility. Here’s a general breakdown:
 

• Retirement Benefits: If you start collecting payments at full retirement age (currently 67), the maximum monthly amount is $4,018. Starting earlier at age 62 lowers the maximum to $2,831, while waiting until age 70 increases it to $5,108. Your actual payment depends on your lifetime earnings and how long you paid Social Security taxes. As of January 2025, the average monthly retirement payment was about $1,976.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): The maximum payment for SSI in 2025 is $967 for individuals and $1,450 for couples. However, the actual amount may vary depending on your income, financial resources, and living situation.

Social Security benefits are a vital resource for millions of Americans. The SSA works hard to ensure payments arrive on time and avoids delays whenever possible. If you’re expecting payments in May 2025, the above schedule should help you plan accordingly.

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