If you or someone in your family receives Social Security benefits in the US, it’s important to know how the system works, especially in May 2025 when payments are going out as usual.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is making payments on schedule, and there’s no delay or issue in the distribution of these monthly benefits. Here’s a simple guide to help you understand how Social Security benefits are being paid and who can receive them.
What Are Social Security Benefits?
Social Security benefits are monthly payments provided by the US government to retired people, people with disabilities, and the families of workers who have passed away. These benefits are managed by the Social Security Administration (SSA), which is a federal agency.
To fund these payments, taxes are collected from workers and their employers while they are employed. Later, when these workers retire or become disabled, or if they pass away, their family members may receive money based on the worker’s earnings history.
Types of Social Security Payments
There are different types of benefits under the Social Security system:
- Retirement Benefits: For people who stop working after a certain age.
- Disability Benefits (SSDI): For people who cannot work due to health issues.
- Survivor Benefits: For family members of someone who has died.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI): For people with very low income, including the elderly and disabled.
So far in May 2025, payments were already sent out on May 1st, 2nd, and 14th.
Who Can Receive Retirement Benefits?
To get retirement benefits, a person must:
- Be at least 62 years old.
- Have worked for at least 10 years and earned 40 credits by paying Social Security taxes.
If you delay retirement, you receive more money each month. For example, retiring at 70 gives you the highest possible payment.
Family members such as a spouse, children, or dependent parents may also qualify if the worker had enough credits. Even divorced spouses may receive benefits if the marriage lasted at least 10 years and they remain unmarried.
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How to Apply for Social Security
Applying for Social Security is simple. You can apply:
- Online through the SSA website
- By calling the SSA
- Or by visiting a Social Security office
You will need documents like a birth certificate, proof of income, and for disability cases, medical records. The time it takes to get approved depends on how complex your case is.
Social Security Payment Amounts in 2025 by Age
The amount you receive from Social Security depends on:
- Your total earnings during your working years
- When you start collecting benefits
- Whether you delay receiving the payments
Here’s what the maximum monthly payment looks like in 2025:
- At 62 years old: $2,831 (30% less than full benefits)
- At 65 years old: $3,279 (13.33% less than full benefits)
- At 66 years old: $3,652 (6.67% less than full benefits)
- At 67 years old (Full Retirement Age): $4,018
- At 70 years old: $5,108 (highest possible amount)
These amounts are only available to people who had very high and consistent earnings during their working life. Less than 1% of the 70 million people who receive Social Security benefits actually qualify for the maximum amount.