April has come to an end, and the Social Security Administration (SSA) in the United States has now completed all payments for this month. This includes the last round of checks for retirees, people with disabilities, and widows. So if you were waiting for an April payment and haven’t received it yet, it’s time to check with Social Security directly — no more payments will be made until May.
This update comes after a recent 2.5% COLA (Cost-of-Living Adjustment) increase, which began in January 2025. This change has helped many people, especially those who depend on monthly Social Security payments, by giving them a little extra to manage the rising cost of daily life.
April Ends, and SSA Confirms No More Payments
The final Social Security payment in April was made to people born between the 21st and 31st of any month. With this, all scheduled checks for April are complete.
Now, all attention turns to the May payment schedule, which includes a special update: two SSI (Supplemental Security Income) payments will be made in May due to how the calendar falls. Since June 1 is a Sunday, the payment for that month will be sent on May 30.
Social Security Payment Dates for May 2025
Here is the full list of payment dates for May:
- May 1 – SSI payment
- May 3 – Payments for retirees who started benefits before 1997
- May 8 – People born between the 1st and 10th
- May 15 – People born between the 11th and 20th
- May 22 – People born between the 21st and 31st
- May 30 – Advance SSI payment for June
If you face any delays with direct deposit, wait at least 3 business days. If the money still hasn’t arrived, contact the Social Security office right away to resolve the issue.
How to Maximize Your Social Security Payment
If you want to increase the amount you get from Social Security in the future, here are three proven tips:
1. Delay Benefits Until Age 70
The longer you wait to start collecting Social Security, the more money you receive. For each year you delay past your full retirement age (usually 66 or 67), your payment goes up by about 8% per year. If you can wait until age 70, you could receive the maximum monthly benefit of $5,108 in 2025.
2. Work for at Least 35 Years
The SSA looks at your highest 35 years of earnings to calculate your benefits. So, the more years you work — especially with a good income — the better your final payment will be.
3. Earn a High Salary During Your Career
Your Social Security benefit depends on your average income over the years. If your salary was higher, your benefit will be higher too. So having a strong, stable income during your working life really pays off when you retire.