The Social Security Administration (SSA) in the United States has officially released the May 2025 retirement payment schedule. This allows all retired beneficiaries to know exactly when they’ll receive their money, depending on their date of birth and when they first started collecting benefits.
If you or a loved one receives Social Security retirement benefits, here’s everything you need to know — from the payment dates to how much you can expect in your bank account this May.
Who Gets Paid and When?
Social Security payments are made based on two main factors:
- Whether you started collecting before or after May 1997
- Your date of birth
Here’s how the SSA divides recipients into four groups:
Group 1 – Retired Before May 1997:
- Payment Date: May 2
- Note: Normally paid on the 3rd, but moved to the 2nd because May 3 is a Saturday, and the SSA doesn’t send payments on weekends.
Group 2 – Birthdays from 1st to 10th:
- Payment Date: May 14 (Second Wednesday of the month)
Group 3 – Birthdays from 11th to 20th:
- Payment Date: May 21 (Third Wednesday)
Group 4 – Birthdays from 21st to 31st:
- Payment Date: May 28 (Fourth Wednesday)
All April payments were completed by April 23, which was the last payment for those in the final group.
How Much Will You Receive in May 2025?
The amount you receive depends on your earnings history, retirement age, and years of contribution. In 2025, Social Security payments include a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to help with rising prices.
Here are the estimated average payments:
- Individual retirees: Around $1,976 per month
- Retired couples (both receiving benefits): Around $3,089 per month
These are average figures, but some people may receive more or less based on personal factors.
Maximum Monthly Payment in 2025
If you retire at full retirement age (which is 67 for most people), the maximum possible payment is:
- $4,018 per month
But if you delay retirement until age 70, you can increase your monthly payment to:
- Up to $5,108 per month
This is because the SSA gives delayed retirement credits, which boost your monthly benefit if you wait to collect it.
Why Your Amount May Be Different
Each person’s Social Security payment is calculated individually. Some things that affect your final amount include:
- How much you earned during your working life
- How many years you worked and contributed
- Whether you retired early, at full age, or later
- Other income or pensions
So while averages are helpful, your actual benefit might be higher or lower depending on your personal financial history.