Social Security payments for May 2025 will be made according to the timetable set by the Social Security Administration (SSA) in June 1997, which was implemented to spread the strain on the collecting system over several days of the month. This is standard procedure for all months.
Aside from the group of those who claimed before May 1997, the beneficiaries are divided into three groups based on their birthdate.
On May 14, those who were born between May 1st and May 10th will get paid. On May 21, those who were born between May 11 and May 20 will pick up. On May 28, the remaining beneficiaries who were born after May 20 will receive their valuable funds.
One category, let’s call it “exceptional,” consists of people who have been paid since before May 1997. They always have a payment date on the third day of the month, unless it falls on a weekend, like in May, when the payment will arrive on May 2.
An overview of May 2025 Social Security benefits
Here is the entire calendar in list format for ease of understanding:
| Beneficiary Type | Payment Date | Notes |
| SSI recipients | May 1, 2025 | Regular SSI payment |
| Those who claimed before May 1997 or receive both SSI & Social Security | May 2, 2025 | Applies to early claimants and dual recipients |
| Born between 1st–10th of the month | May 14, 2025 | Second Wednesday of May |
| Born between 11th–20th of the month | May 21, 2025 | Third Wednesday of May |
| Born between 21st–31st of the month | May 28, 2025 | Fourth Wednesday of May |
| SSI recipients (advance payment for June) | May 30, 2025 | Early June SSI payment since June 1 is on a weekend |
The maximum Social Security benefits based on the age of retirement
Due to the COLA adjustment, the average monthly income for retirees in 2025 is $1,976—a $50 gain over 2024. The maximum amount that can be received is $5,108, and this average is based on the average beneficiary and may change depending on years of employment and income.
The maximum is determined by the maximum taxable income throughout working life as well as the retirement age.
Read Also: Thousands to Receive $1,702 Stimulus Payment in May 2025 – Are You Eligible?
The SSA maximum examples page states that for an employee whose maximum taxable income begins at age 22:
| Retirement Age | Estimated Monthly Benefit | Notes |
| 62 | $2,831 | Early retirement – reduced benefits |
| 65 | $3,374 | Partial reduction if full retirement age is 67 |
| 66 | $3,795 | Benefits are almost complete based on the year of birth. |
| 67 | $4,043 | For people born in 1960 or after, full retirement age |
| 70 | $5,108 | Benefit maximum with postponed retirement credits |
The highest sum for an individual SSI beneficiary is $967, and for a couple applying jointly, it is $1,450.
