In May 2025, many Social Security beneficiaries will receive a surprising development: they’ll be getting three payments instead of the usual two. If you’re wondering why you’ve received an additional payment, don’t get too excited—it’s not extra money. Here’s everything you need to know about why this is happening, what it means for your benefits, and how to plan for it.
Why You’re Getting Three Payments
Typically, Social Security payments are issued once a month, and this can happen on different days depending on your circumstances. However, when the 1st of the month falls on a weekend or holiday, the Social Security Administration (SSA) makes adjustments to ensure payments are made on the next available business day.
This situation arises in May because the 1st of the month falls on a Thursday. But there’s another twist: June 1st, 2025, will fall on a Sunday, meaning the payment for June needs to be issued early. To ensure beneficiaries receive their payments on time, the SSA will pay out benefits for June on Friday, May 30, 2025. This results in many people receiving two payments in May one for May and one for June effectively giving them three payments.
What This Means for Your Social Security Payments
Receiving three payments in May isn’t a bonus or a special benefit it’s simply an adjustment to the regular payment schedule. For most beneficiaries, this means two payments will arrive in a single month, one for May and one for June, in line with SSA’s regular procedures for payments.
Here’s how it works:
- May 1st: Payments for people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security benefits for the month of May.
- May 2nd: Social Security recipients who were born on the 1st–10th of the month will receive their payments.
- May 30th: Because June 1st falls on a Sunday, Social Security payments for June will be issued on May 30, meaning some will receive payments for two months at once.
Who Is Affected?
The majority of people who receive Social Security will be affected by this change, but there are a few specific groups of people to note:
- SSI Recipients: Those who receive both SSI and Social Security payments will get two payments in May one for May and one for June. This is due to the SSA’s adjustment when the 1st falls on a weekend or holiday.
- Social Security Payments: For individuals who started receiving Social Security benefits before May 1997, payments will also be issued on May 2, 2025. People whose birthdates fall between the 1st and 10th will see their benefits arrive earlier than usual.
- Regular Social Security Payments: If you receive Social Security on a regular monthly schedule, based on your birthdate, your payments will still arrive in the same week each month. The May payments will arrive on May 14th, 21st, or 28th, depending on when your birthday falls.
What You Should Know About Payment Schedules
While it may be surprising to see two payments in one month, it’s important to remember that these aren’t “extra” payments. The Social Security Administration simply shifts payment dates around to ensure benefits are distributed correctly and timely. For example:
- If you were born on the 1st–10th of the month, your payment will arrive on May 14th.
- If you were born on the 11th–20th of the month, your payment will be issued on May 21st.
- If you were born on the 21st–31st of the month, you will receive your payment on May 28th.
This ensures that no one gets missed or delayed, and that you can still plan for your payments even when the calendar shifts.
Is This “Extra” Money?
No, these are not additional payments. Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments are part of a regular schedule, adjusted only for holidays and weekends. In this case, the shift in payment timing results in two payments for the month of May, one for May and one for June, but they’re still part of your regular benefits.
This adjustment isn’t unique to May 2025. Whenever the first of the month falls on a weekend or holiday, the SSA shifts the payment dates to make sure beneficiaries don’t miss their scheduled payments.
How to Manage Your Payments
If you’re receiving two payments in one month, it’s important to plan accordingly. Since you’ll be receiving benefits for two months at once, budgeting is essential. While the payments themselves aren’t extra money, the timing may give you a little more flexibility in managing your monthly expenses.
Here are a few tips to help you manage:
- Budget for the Month Ahead: If you receive your June payment early, consider using that payment to plan for upcoming bills in June.
- Watch for Payment Delays: While most payments will be issued as expected, keep an eye on your payment schedule to avoid confusion.
- Stay Informed: If you’re unsure of when you’ll receive your payment, always refer to the official Social Security website for updates. You can check the payment schedule directly at the Social Security Administration’s official page.
Conclusion
If you’re receiving three payments in May 2025, don’t worry it’s just a schedule adjustment. While it might feel like extra money, these payments are simply timed adjustments to ensure you get your benefits on schedule. Be sure to plan your spending and budgeting accordingly, and remember that your next Social Security payment will come on time as always.
