If you’re waiting for your Social Security payment in May 2025, good news—some beneficiaries will receive their money on May 28, just hours from now. This payment includes retirement benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for those eligible.
Let’s take a look at who is getting paid, how much they may receive, and what to do if your payment is delayed.
Who Will Get Social Security Payments on May 28?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) sends payments based on your date of birth.
If your birthday falls between the 21st and 31st of any month and you started receiving benefits after May 1997, you will receive your May payment on Wednesday, May 28, which is the fourth Wednesday of the month.
If you began receiving Social Security before May 1997, your payment is usually sent on the 3rd of each month. If the 3rd falls on a weekend, the SSA sends the payment on the previous Friday.
How Much Will You Get?
The average monthly Social Security payment in 2025 is $1,976. This amount reflects the 2.5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), which increased the average by around $50 per month.
However, the actual amount you receive depends on:
- How much you earned during your working years
- The age at which you retired
- Whether you qualify for spousal or survivor benefits
Maximum Monthly Social Security Payment: $5,108
To qualify for the maximum benefit of $5,108 per month, you must meet two conditions:
- You must have earned the taxable maximum income (set at $176,100 in 2025) for at least 35 years
- You must have delayed retirement until age 70
Very few people—less than 5%—qualify for this amount. If you retire earlier than your Full Retirement Age (FRA) of 67, your benefit is permanently reduced. For instance, retiring at 62 leads to a 30% reduction in monthly payments.
On the other hand, if you wait until age 70, your payment increases by 8% each year after age 67.
Why SSI Recipients Get a Second Payment in May
In addition to regular Social Security benefits, SSI recipients will receive a second deposit on May 30, 2025. This is because June 1 falls on a Sunday, and the SSA moves payments to the last business day of the previous month to avoid delays.
So if you receive SSI, you will see:
- May SSI payment on May 1
- June SSI payment on May 30
These payments are not extra money, just scheduled earlier due to the weekend.
How Are SSI and Social Security Payments Scheduled?
If you receive both SSI and Social Security, your payments are usually combined and paid on the 3rd of each month. If the 3rd is a weekend, payments arrive the Friday before.
This helps make managing funds easier for people who receive both types of benefits.
What Should You Do If Your Payment Is Late?
If your expected payment hasn’t arrived, don’t panic. The SSA recommends waiting three business days before taking action.
Here’s what to do:
- Check with your bank first – Delays may be due to bank processing times, which can take up to 48 hours.
- If the payment still hasn’t arrived after three business days, call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213, available Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time.
- Have your Social Security number and bank details ready for faster service.
- If your payment is still missing after five business days, file a formal claim on ssa.gov or visit a local SSA office. You’ll need a bank statement and your most recent benefit notice.
Social Security payments of up to $5,108 will be distributed on May 28, 2025, for those born between the 21st and 31st of any month. SSI recipients will also get an early June payment on May 30, meaning two checks in one month.
While these schedules may seem confusing, they are part of regular SSA policy to ensure timely payments. If you don’t see your deposit, be sure to wait the recommended time, check with your bank, and contact SSA if needed. With the 2.5% COLA increase, your benefits are now better aligned with inflation, helping you keep up with daily costs.
