Social Security retirement, SSDI and survivor benefits will be paid to millions of beneficiaries on Wednesday as the three-week payment cycle begins, benefiting older people, people with disabilities and the families of former Social Security workers.
There has been a longer wait for payments than usual for some beneficiaries in May, due to the month starting on a Friday and payments landing in bank accounts on the second Wednesday of the month. Here’s what you need to know about this week’s Social Security payments, as well as those in the month ahead.
What payments will be made, and who will receive them?
Beneficiaries whose birthdays fall between the 1st and the 10th of the month will receive their payments in this cycle. Payments for this group are due on the second Wednesday of the month, May 13.
Note that anyone who receives both Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a payment for people with lower incomes, and Social Security is paid at the beginning of the month. This schedule applies to those who began receiving Social Security before May 1997.
If you get benefits based on someone else’s earnings record (a survivor benefit or spouse benefit), your payment date is determined by that person’s birthday.
The full table of Social Security payment dates for May 2026 can be found below.
Will any payments be delayed this month?
As May 25 falls on Memorial Day, banks and government offices will be closed.
If your Social Security payment is late and you cannot contact the Social Security Administration that day, first check whether the payment date was adjusted because of a weekend or holiday.
Check to see if there is a pending deposit in your bank account, and log in to your Social Security account to confirm your payment history and direct-deposit details. Beneficiaries are advised to wait at least three business days after the expected payment date before contacting the SSA, because bank processing delays can happen.
If the money still hasn’t arrived after that, call 1-800-772-1213 or check your online account and bank activity first. Before calling the SSA, have your Social Security number, bank account information, the date the payment was due and any recent change of address, bank or representative payee status ready.
How can I check whether my payments are correct?
You can check whether your Social Security payments are correct by reviewing your My Social Security account, where you can see your monthly benefit amount, earnings history and any deductions.
It’s important to make sure your earnings record is accurate, since benefits are calculated based on your lifetime income and missing or incorrect earnings can affect your payment.
You should also compare your current deposit with the benefit amount listed in your Social Security award letter and account for common deductions such as Medicare premiums, taxes or overpayment recoveries.
If something doesn’t look right, you can contact the SSA to request a review or recalculation of your benefits. The average monthly retirement benefit totals $2,026.41, while disabled workers take home roughly $1,634.70.
