The payment schedule for Social Security in the United States may seem regular, but the truth is that there are certain exceptions. Although payments follow a structure defined by weeks and groups of beneficiaries, there are times when the dates can confuse those who are urgently awaiting their money.
This is the case in May 2025, when there is a special circumstance. Although many retirees expect to get their money in the second week of the month, the first retirement check for certain beneficiaries will not arrive until the third week. This is due to the way the weeks are organized on the official Social Security calendar and does not imply any delay on the part of the Administration.
The good news is that, despite this apparent irregularity, the Social Security Administration continues to meet its usual mailing dates. The important thing is to understand which group each retiree belongs to in order to know exactly when the deposit will arrive in their bank account.
Social Security payments in the third week of May
The first retirement payment for May will arrive on the 14th, which is the second Wednesday of the month. Although this date may seem to fall in the second week, in administrative terms it counts as part of the third week of Social Security payments.
To receive this payment on May 14, you must meet the following two requirements:
- You must have started receiving Social Security after May 1997.
- Your birthday must fall between the 1st and 10th of any month.
Those who meet these conditions are part of Group 2 of beneficiaries and will get their check on that day.
I am not eligible for Social Security on May 14
If you do not meet the requirements to receive the May 14 check, there is no reason to worry. The Administration will still make more payments during the month, specifically on May 21 and 28.
The 21st will be the turn of Group 3, made up of those whose birthdays fall between the 11th and 20th of the month. On the 28th, payments will be sent to Group 4, which includes those born between the 21st and 31st. This way, all retirees with benefits after May 1997 will get their money in May, just in different weeks depending on their date of birth.
Extra Social Security payment
In addition to retirement payments, the Administration will also send an additional check in May. This is the second payment of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which will arrive on the 30th of the month.
This type of extra payment occurs when the first day of the following month falls on a weekend, which causes an SSI payment to be moved up to the previous month. Therefore, those who receive this benefit will receive two SSI checks in May.
