If you are receiving Social Security benefits and your birthday falls between the 11th and 20th of any month, then this week is your payday. On Wednesday, May 21, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will send out checks to eligible retirees, spouses, and survivors whose birth dates fall within that range.
This schedule does not include people who also receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI)—those individuals already got their checks earlier this month. So if you are only collecting retirement or survivor benefits, and your birthdate lands in that mid-month range, your money should be hitting your bank account this week.
The SSA recommends waiting three business days before calling their office if your payment does not show up on time.
How much can you expect from social security in May 2025?
Here’s the deal: most people will not get $5,108. That is the maximum benefit for those who wait until age 70 to start collecting. But the amount you receive depends on a few personal factors like:
- Your lifetime earnings
- How long you worked
- How much Social Security tax you paid
- And most importantly—when you started claiming
In 2025, here are the key figures you should know:
- Average monthly retirement benefit: $1,976
- If you retired at 62: up to $2,831/month
- If you retired at 67 (full retirement age): up to $4,018/month
- If you waited until 70: up to $5,108/month
So yes, you could be getting over five grand, but only if you delayed retirement and had a strong earnings history.
How do I know if I qualify for the maximum $5,108 payment?
To get the full $5,108 per month, you would need to check off a few boxes:
- You waited until age 70 to begin collecting benefits.
- You worked for at least 35 years.
- You earned at or above the Social Security tax cap each of those years (which is $168,600 in 2025).
If that sounds like you, congratulations—you are likely one of the few receiving the top-tier payout. But if you started claiming benefits early or had lower annual earnings, your monthly amount will be smaller.
What if I am also receiving SSI?
If you collect Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in addition to retirement or survivor benefits, your payment schedule is different. SSI checks are sent out on the first of each month unless that day falls on a weekend or holiday. So your May SSI payment should already be in your hands.
In 2025, the maximum SSI benefit is:
- $967/month for individuals
- $1,450/month for couples
Your actual amount may be less depending on your income and living situation.
What can you do if your payment is delayed?
If your Social Security check does not arrive by the expected date—May 21 in this case—the SSA asks you to wait three business days before reaching out. Delays can happen due to bank processing times or holidays, so give it a little time before making that call.
