In May 2025, millions of retired Americans are scheduled to receive three Social Security payments. Eligible beneficiaries could receive as much as $5,108 this month, depending on their earnings history and retirement age. These payments reflect updated rates influenced by the 2025 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) and the SSA’s standard monthly distribution calendar.
Here’s a full breakdown of who qualifies, the payment schedule, and how much to expect.
Social Security Payment Dates for May 2025
The Social Security Administration (SSA) pays retirement benefits on a schedule that depends on a retiree’s date of birth. For those who began receiving benefits after May 1997 and are not enrolled in Supplemental Security Income (SSI), payments will be made as follows:
- May 14, 2025 – Birthdays between the 1st and 10th of any month
- May 21, 2025 – Birthdays between the 11th and 20th
- May 28, 2025 – Birthdays between the 21st and 31st
If you began receiving Social Security benefits before May 1997, your payment will be issued on May 3, 2025, regardless of your birthday.
How Much Will You Receive in May 2025?
The maximum Social Security benefit in 2025 is $5,108 per month, but this amount is available only to a select group of retirees.
To qualify for the highest benefit, retirees must:
- Have worked for at least 35 years
- Have earned the maximum taxable income every year during those 35 years
- Have delayed retirement until age 70
For comparison:
- Retiring at full retirement age (67) could earn a maximum of about $3,822
- Retiring early at age 62 may reduce that amount to around $2,710
The average monthly benefit across all retirees in 2025 is approximately $1,997, according to the SSA.
2025 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)
To help offset the impact of inflation, the SSA implemented a 2.5% COLA increase effective January 2025. This adjustment increased all Social Security payments, including:
- The maximum benefit at age 70 from $4,873 in 2024 to $5,108 in 2025
- The average benefit from $1,927 in 2024 to $1,997 in 2025
The COLA is calculated based on inflation data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W).
SSI and SSDI Payment Information
If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), your payment dates and amounts may differ slightly.
SSI Payments:
SSI is typically paid on the 1st of each month. If the 1st falls on a weekend or holiday, payments are made on the prior business day. In May 2025, since the 1st is a Thursday, SSI recipients will receive their payment on time.
SSDI Payments:
SSDI follows the same birthday-based payment schedule as retirement benefits, provided the beneficiary became eligible after May 1997.
Who Qualifies for the Full $5,108?
Only a small percentage of retirees receive the full monthly benefit of $5,108. To get the maximum, you must:
- Earn the maximum taxable income for at least 35 years
- Delay claiming Social Security until age 70
- Not claim early retirement (doing so reduces your benefit by as much as 30%)
Final Thoughgt
May 2025 offers three scheduled Social Security payments, potentially totaling up to $5,108 for those who qualify. The benefit amount you receive depends on your work history, age of retirement, and whether you delayed claiming.
To avoid delays or confusion with your payments, always refer to official government sources and maintain your online SSA account.
