May Social Security Payments Arrive Later Than Usual This Month

Social Security Payments Scheduled for Later Distribution in May 2025

Social Security beneficiaries should prepare for a slightly delayed payment schedule this May, with distributions set to arrive on May 14 for the first group of recipients. This Social Security payment delay represents a standard calendar variation that consistently makes May payments arrive later than in other months of the year.

The Social Security Administration operates on a structured distribution calendar that affects nearly 74 million beneficiaries. Most recipients receive their Social Security benefits on designated Wednesdays throughout the month, determined by birth date. For instance, individuals with birthdays between the 1st and 10th will receive their benefits on the second Wednesday, which falls on May 14 this year—the latest possible date for this payment group.

May 2025 Social Security Payment Schedule

The official Social Security retirement benefits schedule for May 2025 is as follows:

• Wednesday, May 14: Beneficiaries with birth dates from the 1st through 10th
• Wednesday, May 21: Beneficiaries with birth dates from the 11th through 20th
• Wednesday, May 28: Beneficiaries with birth dates from the 21st through 31st

It is important to note that beneficiaries receiving Social Security payments based on a spouse’s work record will have their payment date determined by their spouse’s birth date rather than their own.

Individuals who began receiving Social Security benefits prior to May 1997 follow a different schedule, with payments arriving on the 3rd of each month. Those who also receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will get that portion on the 1st.

The Social Security Administration recommends allowing three additional mailing days before contacting them about missing payments, although this is rarely necessary as approximately 99% of recipients now utilize electronic deposit services.

Future Social Security Payment Schedule Anomalies

According to the Social Security Administration’s 2026 calendar, several other months will experience similar payment delays:

• January 2026: Second Wednesday falls on January 14
• May 2026: Second Wednesday falls on May 13
• October 2026: Second Wednesday falls on October 14

Financial planning should account for these variations in Social Security payment timing.

Supplemental Security Income: May Dual Payment Month

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients received their regular payment on May 1 and will receive an additional payment on May 30. This second payment occurs because June 1 falls on a Sunday, triggering the early payment protocol that applies when the standard payment date coincides with a weekend or federal holiday.

Approximately 7.4 million Americans—including disabled individuals, children, and those with limited income or resources—receive monthly SSI benefits. Approximately half of these recipients also qualify for standard Social Security benefits.

Remaining 2025 SSI Payment Schedule

The complete SSI distribution calendar for the remainder of 2025 is as follows:

• Friday, May 30, 2025 (June benefit)
• Tuesday, July 1, 2025 (July benefit)
• Friday, August 1, 2025 (August benefit)
• Friday, August 29, 2025 (September benefit)
• Wednesday, October 1, 2025 (October benefit)
• Friday, October 31, 2025 (November benefit)
• Monday, December 1, 2025 (December benefit)
• Wednesday, December 31, 2025 (January 2026 benefit)

Beneficiaries should mark these Social Security payment dates accordingly for proper financial planning.