The Social Security Administration (SSA) has confirmed that millions of SSA beneficiaries can expect Social Security payments of between $967 and $1,450 in their bank accounts this month. Social Security recipients value SSA benefits as they serve as a financial lifeline. The date when these checks will reach the bank accounts of different citizens is mainly based on each recipient’s birthdate. Due to the way the 2025 calendar is structured, some Social Security May payments are due to arrive later in the month, while the June payments for Social Supplementary Income (SSI) will be in bank accounts at the end of May for some.
Exploring the May Social Security payment schedule
All of the SSA’s Social Security payments are distributed in three phases as per the beneficiary’s birth date:
- Citizens born between the 1st and 10th of the month: payments on the second Wednesday of the month.
- Citizens born between the 11th and 20th of the month: payments on the third Wednesday of the month.
- Citizens born between the 21st and 31st of the month: payments on the fourth Wednesday of the month.
The way Social Security payments have been structured this May is as follows:
- May 14 (second Wednesday)
- May 21 (third Wednesday)
- May 28 (fourth Wednesday)
The first round of payments received in May was relatively late towards the middle of the month, with May 14 being the date of the first round of checks. The dates, however, remained fixed for citizens receiving both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI was paid out on May 1, and the group of beneficiaries receiving Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) was paid out on May 3. The good news is that SSI beneficiaries will see two payments in their bank accounts this May. SSI beneficiaries will receive another payment this May, as June 1 falls on a weekend. Hence, the SSI payments will arrive on May 30.
At present the average retirement amount for 2025 is between $967 and $1,450 based on the person’s earnings history and the age when they choose to retire. Citizens with higher lifetime earnings may receive even more than the average payments of between $967 and $1,450.
What to do when payments are not received as planned in May?
According to the Social Security payment schedule, most beneficiaries will receive payments on time, as 99% of payments are sent electronically via direct deposit. Generally, the SSA suggests that beneficiaries wait for at least three business days after the scheduled payment date before making any further moves. For payments delayed beyond the waiting period of three business days, citizens can:
- Check with their respective bank to note any processing delays.
- Double-check the payment date as per the payment schedule and benefit type.
- Get in touch with the SSA for payments delayed for over three days. The agency’s job is to review such cases and issue replacement payments when needed.
Generally, SSA recipients who get paid via paper checks can expect payment delays due to weather, holidays and mailing issues. Electronic payments hardly ever experience any sort of delays. The SSA payment schedule for May is available to check if any payment is delayed.
Social Security payments are being garnished in June
June’s SSI average payment of $715 will be paid out in May this year. However, Americans awaiting Social Security payments in June may be in for a surprise. Due to initiatives by the Treasury Offset Program (TOP), the Department of Education will be able to garnish up to 15% of Social Security benefits as a form of repayment for federal student loans.
As it stands, over 450,000 recipients aged 62 and over owe student loans. These beneficiaries will receive or have received garnishing notices. Nevertheless, the minimum Social Security check cannot fall below $750 per month, irrespective of garnishing rules. Whether it be a $967 check or a $1,450 check, Social Security recipients must make their SSA benefits work for them. Citizens must not run the risk of losing money in retirement.
