Although the Social Security calendar in the United States usually follows a fixed monthly schedule, May 2025 presents some irregularities that could cause confusion among beneficiaries. Among these irregularities is even a change in the payment day for group 1. These changes do not affect the amount of benefits, but they do affect the dates on which certain groups get their monthly payments.
The main reason for this discrepancy is due to the start of the month: May begins on a Thursday, which means that the second Wednesday, which is the usual payment day for a large group of retirees, does not come until the third week of the month. For some United States citizens, this longer wait may cause concern due to each family’s financial plans.
However, it is important to remain calm. Social Security always makes its monthly payments, and although they may be delayed by a few days compared to previous months, all retirees and beneficiaries will receive their money. Knowing the schedule in detail helps you plan better and avoid unnecessary worries.
Who has to wait longer for Social Security?
In May 2025, the group of retirees who have to wait the longest is group 2, made up of those who began receiving their benefits after May 1997 and whose birthdays fall between the 1st and 10th of the month. This group always gets paid on the second Wednesday, but this year, that Wednesday will not arrive until May 14, well into the third week of the month.
Therefore, those in this group will notice that their payment arrives later than usual when compared to other months. This is not an error or a loss of rights, but simply a consequence of the way the Social Security monthly calendar is organized.
To belong to group 2, you must meet these two requirements:
- Have started receiving benefits after May 1997
- You must have been born between the 1st and 10th of any month
It is true that this month we will receive our payment later, but this pattern in the payment schedule repeats itself every month. However, when the second Wednesday falls very late, as is the case in May 2025, the payment is delayed by several days compared to the first of the month, creating a noticeable difference between group 1 and group 2.
Remaining Social Security payments
The month of May has three regular payments for Social Security retirees who began receiving their benefits after May 1997. Below, we detail the two remaining payments and the requirements to receive them:
- Wednesday, May 21: On this day, payments are sent to group 3, i.e., retirees who began receiving benefits after May 1997 and who were born between the 11th and 20th of the month.
- Wednesday, May 28: The last payment of the month corresponds to group 4, which includes those who also began receiving benefits after May 1997 and were born between the 21st and 31st.
As usual, these payments are deposited directly into the beneficiary’s bank account or Direct Express card. There are no changes in the amounts or delivery methods, only variations in the specific days on which the payment is processed.
Those belonging to group 1, i.e., retirees who have been receiving their benefits since before May 1997, already received their payment on May 2, as their schedule is always linked to the first working day of the month, regardless of which week it falls on.
In this regard, despite the apparent discrepancies, the schedule remains on track and each group will receive their full payment in May, as they are entitled to.