Millions of retired Americans depend on Social Security payments to cover their monthly expenses like rent, food, and medical needs. These payments usually follow a fixed schedule, but sometimes the exact dates can change due to how weeks fall in a particular month. This can confuse many people, especially when they’re waiting urgently for their money.
In May 2025, there’s a special case where some retirees won’t receive their first payment until later than expected. Even though this may seem like a delay, it’s not an error or late payment—it’s just how the Social Security Administration (SSA) calendar works for that month.
Why May 2025 Payments May Seem Delayed
The Social Security payment schedule is based on two things: the retiree’s birth date and the date they started receiving benefits. Usually, payments go out weekly across different groups.
But in May 2025, the first payment will only be made on the 14th of May, which is officially considered the third week in the SSA calendar—even though it might look like the second week on a regular calendar.
This change only affects those in a specific group of beneficiaries.
Who Will Get Paid on May 14?
To receive your Social Security retirement check on May 14, you must meet these two conditions:
- You began receiving Social Security after May 1997
- Your birthday falls between the 1st and 10th of any month
If you meet both conditions, you are part of Group 2, and your money will arrive in your account on May 14.
What If You’re Not in Group 2?
If you don’t meet the above requirements, don’t worry—you’ll still receive your payment. There are two more payment dates in May:
- May 21: For Group 3, which includes people born between the 11th and 20th of any month
- May 28: For Group 4, which includes those born between the 21st and 31st of any month
So, even though the first check in May goes out later than usual, all eligible retirees who started receiving benefits after May 1997 will get their payment, just on different dates based on their birthday.
Extra SSI Payment Coming on May 30
Apart from retirement payments, there’s good news for SSI (Supplemental Security Income) beneficiaries. The SSA will send an extra SSI check on May 30. This happens because June 1 falls on a weekend, and SSI payments cannot be processed on weekends. As a result, the payment is moved up to the last working day of the previous month.
So if you receive SSI, you’ll get two SSI payments in May—one early in the month, and one on May 30.