In the United States, Social Security payments are made each month based on when a person was born and when they started receiving their benefits. This helps the Social Security Administration (SSA) manage the system smoothly and avoid payment delays.
For May 2025, if you are a retiree born between the 1st and 10th of any month, and you started getting your benefits after May 1997, you can expect your next payment on Tuesday, May 14, 2025.
This payment will already include the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2025, which helps seniors keep up with rising living costs.
What Is COLA and Why Is It Important?
COLA stands for Cost-of-Living Adjustment. Every year, the SSA increases Social Security payments a little to keep up with inflation – meaning the rising cost of goods and services like food, medicine, and rent.
The 2025 COLA is 2.6%, and it has already been added to all Social Security payments since January 2025. This means the check you get in May will include that increase.
It’s important to note that COLA is not a new bonus or a special increase in May. It was announced at the end of last year and has been part of your monthly benefit from the start of 2025. No need to apply separately — it’s added automatically.
Who Will Get the Social Security Payment on May 14?
The May 14 payment goes to people in Group 2, which includes those who:
- Started receiving Social Security after May 1997
- Were born between the 1st and 10th of any month
You must meet both conditions to receive your check on May 14. If you only meet one of them, your payment will come on a different date later in the month.
The SSA uses this organized system to avoid delays and manage millions of payments efficiently.
How Much Will You Receive?
Not all retirees get the same monthly amount. Your Social Security check depends on several factors:
- How many years you worked
- How much you earned during your working years
- The age you chose to retire
Maximum Social Security Benefits in 2025
Here are the highest monthly payments for retirees in 2025, based on retirement age:
- $5,108 per month: for those who retired at age 70 after a long and high-paying career
- $4,873 per month: for those who retired at full retirement age (67 years)
- Less than that: for those who retired early at 62, since early retirement lowers your monthly amount
These figures already include the 2.6% COLA increase and will stay the same throughout the rest of the year. The next COLA update will come in early 2026.
If you were born between the 1st and 10th and began receiving Social Security after May 1997, mark your calendar for May 14, 2025. That’s when your monthly check will arrive — already adjusted with the COLA increase of 2.6%.
It’s not an extra benefit, but it does reflect this year’s increase to help with inflation. Understanding the payment schedule helps you plan your expenses better and avoid confusion. Stay informed to make the most of your Social Security benefits.
