In the United States, the Social Security calendar continues to move forward as usual, and this May brings new payments for millions of beneficiaries. One of the groups about to get their check is those born between the 1st and 10th of the month. The deposit for these individuals is scheduled for Tuesday, May 14, according to the usual distribution schedule of the Social Security Administration (SSA).
This payment already includes the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) that took effect in January 2025. Therefore, although this is not a new increase applied this month, the amount collected reflects the increase announced for the entire year, which is currently 2.5%. Since January, all payments have included this adjustment without the need for additional paperwork.
Many beneficiaries confuse the updated payments with a new increase, but it is important to remember that the COLA is only applied once a year. Its purpose is to offset the general increase in prices and preserve the purchasing power of those who depend on this monthly benefit to live. Once announced, the increase remains in effect throughout the year on each payment issued.
The group that gets their check on May 14 is made up of beneficiaries who meet two conditions at the same time: they started collecting Social Security after May 1997 and were born between the 1st and 10th of the month. Those who meet both requirements will have their income deposited on time on that date.
Who gets Social Security with COLA on May 14?
This payment is for Social Security beneficiaries in group 2. To be in this group, you must meet the following requirements:
- You started receiving benefits after May 1997.
- You were born between the 1st and 10th of any month.
If only one of the two requirements is met, the check is issued in a different week. The SSA organizes monthly payments according to the beneficiary’s date of birth and when they began receiving benefits, which allows deposits to be distributed in different installments to avoid bottlenecks.
Like all payments since January of this year, this payment also includes the 2025 COLA adjustment, which is 2.6%. This increase is automatically applied to all monthly benefits and is already reflected in the amount you receive. Therefore, the May 14 check already includes the COLA, as was the case with the January, February, March, and April payments.
What is the maximum Social Security payment in 2025?
Not all Social Security beneficiaries receive the same amount. The monthly amount varies depending on several factors, such as the number of years of contributions, average salary during working life, and the age chosen to apply for benefits. The combination of these elements determines the final amount of the check.
In 2025, the maximum benefit a retiree can receive is $5,108 per month, although this figure is only available to those who have delayed retirement until age 70, have worked for at least 35 years, and have contributed with high earnings. This is the maximum cap established after this year’s COLA application.
For those who retired at age 67, the maximum amount that can be reached in 2025 is $4,873 per month. And if retirement was requested early, at age 62, the amount is reduced significantly from the previous values. In all cases, the current amounts already reflect the annual COLA increase, which will not change again until early 2026.
