In May 2025, some Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries will receive three payments—but how does that happen, and why? Let’s break it down.
Understanding SSI Payment Adjustments
Normally, SSI recipients receive monthly payments, but in May, there will be two separate SSI payments:
- May 1: The regular SSI payment for the month of May.
- May 30: This payment is for June, as June 1 falls on a Sunday. The Social Security Administration (SSA) moves payments made on non-business days to the nearest business day before the 1st of the month, so the June payment is advanced to May 30.
Three Payments for Certain Beneficiaries
Some beneficiaries receive three payments in May—this includes both SSI and Social Security retirement payments. Here’s how this works:
- SSI Payments: SSI recipients will get their May 1 payment and May 30 payment, just as usual. This is standard for those receiving only SSI.
- Social Security Payments: Social Security retirement payments are scheduled based on your birthdate. Depending on when your birthday falls, your retirement payment will come on a specific date in May:
- Birthdate 1st-10th: Payment will be on May 14Birthdate 11th-20th: Payment will be on May 21Birthdate 21st-31st: Payment will be on May 28
Why Three Payments Happen
For a beneficiary with a birthday between May 1-10, here’s how the three payments can stack up:
- May 1: SSI payment
- May 2: Social Security retirement payment (if applicable)
- May 30: SSI payment for June (brought forward due to June 1 being a Sunday)
So, someone who receives both SSI and Social Security retirement could get three deposits in May. However, these three payments do not mean additional income. The third payment (May 30) is simply an advance for June.
Important Points to Keep in Mind
- No increase in benefits: The triple payments don’t represent an increase in annual benefits. It’s a payment schedule adjustment because of how the SSA handles the calendar month and non-business days.
- Social Security payment amounts: The maximum monthly Social Security payment for 2025 is $5,108. This is based on a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment.
- SSI payment amounts: The maximum SSI payment for an individual is $967 per month and for a couple, it is $1,450. However, these amounts may be lower depending on other income or support.
Key Takeaways
- Triple payments are uncommon, but they can happen when an individual qualifies for both SSI and Social Security.
- If you meet specific criteria (like living outside the U.S. or having applied for benefits before 1997), you might receive payments on May 1, 2, and 30.
- While it might seem like extra money, remember that the last deposit (May 30) is simply an advance for June.
- The SSA recommends careful budget management for those who experience these triple payments, as they might impact how much you have available each month.
Social Security Retirement Payment Dates
Here’s a quick overview of when Social Security retirement payments are scheduled in May 2025 based on your birthdate:
- May 1 & 30: SSI payments (as usual)
- Birthdate 1-10: May 14
- Birthdate 11-20: May 21
- Birthdate 21-31: May 28
- May 2: Applies to specific cases (outside the U.S. or receiving both SSI and retirement).
While it may sound unusual to receive three payments in a month, it’s simply due to the adjustment in the payment schedule made by the SSA when a month starts on a non-business day. For those lucky enough to qualify for both SSI and Social Security retirement, May 2025 will bring a few extra deposits to help with budgeting. However, these are not additional funds, just timing adjustments, and careful management of funds is encouraged.
