The Social Security Administration (SSA) confirmed that more than 70 million beneficiaries will receive their payments for the month of May 2025, starting today, something they had been looking forward to because more than 50% of beneficiaries over the age of 65 receive at least half of their family income from Social Security benefits, and about 25% depend on these payments to cover up to 90% of their expenses.
Additionally, 40% of older Americans combine Social Security with one of the options, between Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or a private retirement such as 401(k).
Social Security: May 2025 payments confirmed for 70 million Americans
In May 2025, Social Security benefits will be distributed on the 14th, 21st, and 28th, depending on the date of birth. Exceptions apply for those who initiated payments before May 1997, whose deposit is scheduled on the third day of each month. Payments are distributed on the second, third, and fourth Wednesdays:
- Recipients with birthdays from 1 to 10 will receive their payment on May 14.
- Those born from the 11th to the 20th will get it on May 21.
- And those from the 21st to the 31st will see the money fall into their bank accounts on May 28.
- Quick note: If any of the dates fall on a weekend or holiday, the deposit is advanced to the previous business day.
For those who started benefits before May 1997, the cigar occurs on the 3rd of each month. In May 2025, as the 3rd fell on a Saturday, the deposit was made on May 2nd. This rule applies to retirees and Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries.
Some will receive up to $5,108 in their Social Security payment in May
The maximum benefit a retiree can receive depends on, among other things, the age at which they decide to start claiming their payments. You can start receiving your payments at age 62, and you could expect a maximum of $2,831.
However, if you wait a little until you reach your full retirement age (FRA), which can be 66 or 67, depending on your year of birth, the maximum payment amounts to $4,018.
Now, you can wait a little longer, until the age of 70. At that age, an eligible beneficiary can receive up to $5,108, which is the final rate for 2025. Waiting beyond that age will not increase payments.
In all cases, these values require maximum taxable income ($176,100 in 2025) for 35 years. Less than 4% of beneficiaries reach the maximum amount, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA).
These amounts are only received by that small amount of the beneficiaries who had those high incomes. Most are entitled to payments that are closer to the average of $1,976 for retirees, and $1,580 for disabled workers receiving SSDI payments.