If you are wondering whether you are getting a Social Security check this Wednesday, May 28, here is what you need to know. The Social Security Administration (SSA) sends out payments based on your birth date and when you started receiving benefits.
If you started getting benefits after May 1997 and your birthday falls between the 21st and 31st, then May 28 is your payment day. That means you could see a deposit of up to $2,000 hit your account this Wednesday.
The payment includes the latest 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) that took effect in January. That means your check may be slightly higher than what you received last year.
What is the Social Security payment schedule for May?
If you are trying to keep track of when Social Security benefits are sent out each month, here is how it works. The SSA uses a staggered schedule based on your birthdate and the type of benefits you receive:
- May 3: Payments for people who started receiving benefits before May 1997
- May 8: Payments for those born between the 1st and 10th
- May 15: Payments for birthdays between the 11th and 20th
- May 22: Payments for birthdays between the 21st and 31st
- May 28: A special Wednesday payment this month (due to the way the calendar falls)
So, if you are due on the last cycle, May 28 is your date.
How much will you get in your May 28 social security check?
The average monthly Social Security benefit is now about $1,900, thanks to the 2.5% COLA increase. But some of you could receive as much as $2,000 or more, depending on your work history, earnings record, and age when you started collecting benefits.
If you delayed claiming benefits past full retirement age, you might even be receiving the maximum benefit, which in 2025 is just over $4,800 per month. But for most people, that May 28 deposit will fall in the $1,800 to $2,000 range.
Remember, this check is your April benefit, even though it is paid out in May. Social Security always pays benefits a month behind.
What should you do if you do not see your social security deposit?
If you were expecting a payment on May 28 and do not see it, do not panic right away. The SSA recommends waiting at least three business days before taking action. Sometimes delays happen due to bank processing times or holidays.
Here are a few quick steps you can take:
- Check your direct deposit account
- Log in to your mySocialSecurity account to confirm the payment status
- Call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 if it has been more than three business days
You will also want to make sure your mailing address and bank information are up to date to avoid any future payment issues.
What does the COLA increase mean for you?
The 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment may not seem like much, but for a lot of people, that extra $40 to $50 a month can help cover groceries, medications, or gas. This adjustment happens annually and is based on inflation data from the Consumer Price Index.
While 2025’s increase is slightly lower than the 3.2% COLA from 2024, it still brings benefits in line with the rising cost of living.
So if you are seeing a bump in your check this May, now you know why—and it is likely to stick through the rest of the year.
Related article:
Why your Social Security statement may be the most important thing you’ll read today
