Social Security payments are set to go out May 14 – a few days later than is typical.
That's because Social Security payments for the month of May come later than any other month of the year. It's just how the agency's calendar plays out.
Most of the nearly 74 million Social Security beneficiaries get benefit payments on Wednesdays throughout the month. For instance, if your birthdate falls between the first and 10th of the month, you will get your payment are paid on the second Wednesday of the month, which is May 14 – the latest day on the calendar it could fall on.
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May Social Security payment schedule
Here's the schedule for regular Social Security retirement benefits sent out in May, according to the SSA calendar:
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Wednesday, May 14: Birth dates between the first and 10th of the month.
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Wednesday, May 21: Birth dates between the 11th and the 20th of the month.
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Wednesday, May 28: Birth dates between the 21st and the 31st of the month.
Note: if you get benefits based on your spouse’s work, the payment date is based on your spouse’s birth date.
Social Security recipients who began getting benefits before May 1997 are paid on the 3rd of the month – if they also get Supplemental Security Income (SSI), that benefit arrives on the 1st.
A reminder: The Social Security Administration suggests if you don’t receive your payment on the expected date, allow three additional mailing days before contacting the agency; but most recipients (99%) are paid electronically.
Social Security payments will come a bit later in these upcoming months
Later than typical Social Security payments will crop up on the calendar again, according to the Social Security Administration calendar for 2026, so if you need to budget, here's a look ahead:
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January 2026: The second Wednesday of the month is on Jan. 14 - those born from the 1st to 10th of the month will get benefit payments that day. Those born the 11th to the 20th will get benefit payments on Jan. 21; recipients born on the 21st-31st get paid on Jan. 28.
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May 2026: The second Wednesday of the month is on May 13, so those born the 1st to 10th of the month will get benefit payments that day. Recipients born the 11th to the 20th will paid May 20; those born on the 21st-31st get paid on May 27.
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October 2026: In October, the second Wednesday is on Oct. 14. Those born from the 1st to 10th of the month will get benefit payments that day. Those born the 11th to the 20th will get benefit payments on Oct. 21; recipients born on the 21st-31st get paid on Oct. 28.