If you’re a retired worker in the United States aged 62 or older, you might be wondering when your next Social Security payment will arrive. The good news is, the Social Security Administration (SSA) is set to send out the next round of payments on May 21, 2025, but not everyone will get paid on that day. Let’s break down who qualifies, how much you could receive, and what to expect.
Who Will Get Paid on May 21?
To get your payment on May 21, two main conditions must be met:
You must have filed for Social Security after April 30, 1997, and
Your birthday should fall between the 11th and the 20th of any month.
If both of these apply to you, and you didn’t already receive a Social Security check earlier in May, then you should expect your money to arrive on May 21 either through direct deposit or as a check.
Remember, if you’re receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), this payment schedule doesn’t apply to you.
How Much Money Will You Get?
The amount you receive depends on your age when you started claiming Social Security. Here’s a simple guide for average payments by age (based on December 2024 figures):
Ages 62 to 70:
62 years old – $1,341
63 years old – $1,364
64 years old – $1,425
65 years old – $1,611
66 years old – $1,763
67 years old – $1,929
68 years old – $1,979
69 years old – $2,039
70 years old – $2,148 (highest average benefit)
The reason older retirees get more is because they delayed claiming their benefits, which increases the monthly payment amount. For example, filing at 70 gives you about 24% more than filing at 67.
Average Payments After Age 70
Even after turning 70, payment amounts vary. Here’s the average for retirees aged 70 and above:
70 – $2,148.12
71 – $2,114.43
72 – $2,117.23
73 – $2,087.94
74 – $2,054.16
75 – $2,064.53
76 – $2,076.39
77 – $2,046.16
78 – $2,060.78
79 – $2,012.59
80 – $2,006.20
81 – $2,004.45
82 – $2,007.04
83 – $2,006.39
84 – $1,983.59
85 – $1,944.05
86 – $1,924.82
87 – $1,893.13
88 – $1,838.39
89 – $1,813.00
90 – $1,809.24
91 – $1,814.93
92 – $1,838.03
93 – $1,825.54
94 – $1,815.61
95 – $1,814.95
96 – $1,821.27
97 – $1,822.09
98 – $1,798.73
99 & older – $1,775.88
What If You Don’t Receive It on May 21?
Payments are usually processed on the exact date, but sometimes banks might take an extra day or two. If you don’t see the money in your bank account by May 24, wait for three mailing days before contacting Social Security.
Next Payment Dates After May 21
If your birthday falls between the 21st and the 31st, your payment will arrive on May 28, but only if you started receiving benefits after April 30, 1997.
People on SSI will receive their next monthly payment on June 3, but since June 3 is a Monday, the deposit will actually be sent on May 30.
If you’re retired and your birthday falls between the 11th and 20th, and you’ve filed for Social Security after April 30, 1997, then your next payment should arrive on May 21, 2025. The exact amount depends on your age, with older retirees getting higher benefits. While delays are rare, it’s always good to wait for three days before reporting a missing payment. With the average benefit for all retired workers sitting around $1,999, most seniors are receiving a good amount of support from the SSA.
