There are exactly six days when checks will be sent, and this schedule affects retirees, survivors, individuals with disabilities, and SSI recipients. Knowing when checks will be sent to seniors can help you plan your finances and avoid unnecessary stress.
The SSA issues payments each month based on your birth date or benefit type, and May’s calendar includes an unusual event, a rare double payment for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients. Whether you’re collecting retirement benefits, spousal or survivor support, or SSI, here’s everything you need to know about when your Social Security check is coming in May.
The 6 Days When Checks Will Be Sent in May 2025
Here are the payment dates when SSI benefits and other benefits like retirement, survivor, and spousal benefits will be disbursed:
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Thursday, May 1
SSI recipients will receive their regular monthly payment, which provides financial help to disabled individuals who have limited income.
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Friday, May 2:
Retirees who have been receiving benefits since before May 1997 or those who receive both SSI and Social Security will get their checks on this day. This group consistently receives payments early in the month.
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Wednesday, May 14:
Retirees born between the 1st and 10th of any month receive their checks on this date.
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Wednesday, May 21:
Seniors born between the 11th and 20th of any month will receive their benefits on this date.
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Wednesday, May 28:
This is the final Wednesday of the month, and it’s the date when benefits for those with birthdays between the 21st and 31st are sent.
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Friday, May 30:
This payment day is one of the unusual payment days, and it’s because June 1 falls on a weekend. Therefore, all SSI recipients will receive their June payment early
The SSA moves the payment up to avoid delays and financial hardship. This second SSI payment in May is not a bonus or duplicate; it’s simply being sent early, and you won’t receive another one on June 1.
Why Some Seniors Receive Two Payments in May
If you receive SSI, you’ll see two payments in May: one on May 1 and another on May 30. This happens whenever the 1st of the following month lands on a weekend or federal holiday. The SSA adjusts the timing so you’re not left waiting.
Importantly, this double payment doesn’t mean you’re getting extra money. It’s just a timing shift, and the next payment after May 30 will arrive on Tuesday, July 1, not in June.
How Much Will You Get?
The amount one will get will depend on their work history, retirement age, and other factors. Here are the approximate amounts;
- The maximum retirement benefit for those who retire at full retirement age of 67 will be approximately $4,018 per month.
- Those who retire at 70 get a maximum benefit of $5,108 per month.
- The average retirement benefit as of January 2025 is $1,976 per month.
- The maximum SSI benefit is $967 for individuals and $1,450 for couples.
Note that these are just the maximum amounts, and the actual payment could be higher or lower depending on the age at which you started to collect benefits and your lifetime earnings.
Conclusion
According to the Social Security Administration payment schedule, seniors in the United States will receive checks on 6 distinct days. Those who are part of the group should stay up to date so that they can know on which date their check arrives to be able to budget for their expenses. Whether you’re receiving SSI or traditional retirement benefits, knowing your exact Social Security payment date helps you stay in control of your finances.
If your check doesn’t arrive within three business days of your expected date, the SSA advises reaching out, just make sure to allow for weekends and holidays when offices are closed.