Social Security is sending out checks to millions of beneficiaries today, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. Recipients of retirement, disability, or survivor benefits born between the 1st and the 10th of each month are scheduled to receive their latest monthly payment. The U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) issues payments to nearly 70 million recipients.
Many get their money on one of three Wednesdays each month, with the payment date determined by their birthday. This staggered distribution system continues on the following two Wednesdays in May:
Wednesday, May 21: Beneficiaries born from the 11th to the 20th
Wednesday, May 28: Beneficiaries born from the 21st to the 31st
Beneficiaries who began claiming benefits before May 1997 are typically issued their checks on the third of each month, regardless of their birthday. Recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) receive their payments on the first of each month.
If you are a beneficiary of both SSI and one of the SSA’s retirement, SSDI, or survivor programs, you generally get the former on the first and the latter on the third.
Social Security payment schedule for May
However, because May 3 was a Saturday this year, long-term and dual recipients were paid their retirement, SSDI, or survivor benefits on Friday, May 2.
Retired workers, who make up more than 70% of all Americans receiving Social Security, are paid just under $2,000 a month on average. The average monthly retirement check currently stands at $1,999.97, according to figures released this month. Disabled workers receive an average of $1,581.88 per month, according to the SSA.
Survivor benefits are worth an average of $1,565.52 per month. The SSI program provides checks for an average of $717.87 a month. For more detailed information on payment schedules and amounts, you can check out the SSA’s complete payment calendar for 2025.
