Big news for millions of Social Security recipients! In May 2025, some people will see two payments deposited into their accounts instead of one. But before you get too excited, it’s important to understand why this is happening. It’s not an “extra” payment, but an early one because of how the dates fall this year. Here’s a complete guide to the Social Security payments in May 2025, who will get double deposits, and what changes you should know.
Why Will Some People Receive Two Payments in May?
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments usually arrive on the first of each month. But if the 1st falls on a weekend or holiday, payments are sent earlier.
In May 2025:
- May 1 is a Thursday, so the normal May SSI payment will arrive as usual.
- June 1, however, falls on a Sunday. This moves the June SSI payment forward to Friday, May 30, 2025.
So, SSI recipients will see two deposits in May — one for May and one early for June.
Remember, you are not getting extra money. You are simply receiving June’s payment early. There are still only 12 SSI payments per year.
Social Security May 2025 Payment Schedule
For those receiving Retirement or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments, the payment dates depend on when you started receiving benefits and your date of birth.
Here’s the May 2025 schedule:
- May 2 (Friday): For those who started receiving benefits before May 1997.
- May 14 (Wednesday): For people born between the 1st and 10th of any month.
- May 21 (Wednesday): For people born between the 11th and 20th.
- May 28 (Wednesday): For people born between the 21st and 31st.
Updated Social Security Benefit Amounts for 2025
Thanks to a 2.5% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), Social Security payments have increased in 2025. Here are the maximum monthly benefits:
SSI Payments:
- Individual: $967
- Couple: $1,450
- Essential Person: $484
Retirement Benefits:
- At age 62: up to $2,831
- At age 65: up to $3,374
- At age 66: up to $3,795
- At age 67: up to $4,043
- At age 70 or older: up to $5,108
Disability (SSDI) Benefits:
- Disabled worker: up to $3,917
- Disabled worker with spouse and children: up to $2,826
Survivors’ Benefits:
- Elderly widow or widower: up to $1,832
- Widower with two children: up to $3,761
- Child of deceased worker: up to $1,475
The average monthly payment is:
- Retired worker: $1,975
- Disabled worker: $1,581
Why Some Recipients Will See Extra Payments
Some Social Security recipients are receiving more money now due to a major law change — the Social Security Fairness Act, signed in January 2025.
This law repealed two rules:
Before the repeal, these rules reduced benefits for over 3.2 million people, mostly public-sector workers like teachers, police officers, and federal employees under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS).
Now, with WEP and GPO gone:
- Many retirees are receiving higher monthly payments.
- Some are also getting retroactive payments dating back to January 2024.
These back payments began in February 2025 and cover money that wasn’t paid properly because of the old rules.
In May 2025, some Social Security recipients will notice two deposits, but it’s simply an early payment for June. SSI recipients especially need to plan their budgets, remembering they won’t receive a deposit in June.
Additionally, thanks to the Social Security Fairness Act, many retirees and public workers are finally seeing their full Social Security benefits, with back payments being processed. If you’re a beneficiary, stay alert, track your payments carefully, and enjoy the well-deserved updates to your monthly income.
