Why are Social Security benefit payments falling later than usual in May? What we know

Some Social Security beneficiaries may have noticed a delay in receiving their monthly checks in May 2025, and the reason has nothing to do with technical glitches or bureaucratic slowdowns. Rather, the delay is the result of how the calendar falls this month-and for many recipients, that means a longer-than-usual wait before their benefits are deposited.

Each month, the Social Security Administration (SSA) distributes payments based on a fixed schedule that aligns with recipients’ birthdates. Typically, checks are sent on the second, third, and fourth Wednesdays of the month, depending on when a person was born. But when those Wednesdays land later in the month, it can create the appearance of a delay-even though the payment schedule remains unchanged.

In May 2025, the second Wednesday doesn’t arrive until May 14, which is the latest possible day it can fall within that cycle. That delay impacts beneficiaries who were born between the 1st and 10th of any given month. As a result, many people expecting their checks earlier in the month are only now receiving their payments.

What the calendar quirk means for Social Security recipients

For those unfamiliar with how the SSA disperses funds, here’s how the payment schedule works: beneficiaries born between the 1st and 10th of the month are paid on the second Wednesday.

Those born between the 11th and 20th receive their benefits on the third Wednesday, which this month falls on May 21. Finally, individuals born after the 20th are scheduled for the fourth Wednesday, which will be May 28.

This calendar arrangement has confused some recipients who were anticipating their checks earlier in the month. But officials emphasize there’s no cause for concern.

It’s also worth noting that not all beneficiaries are affected. Those who began receiving Social Security benefits prior to May 1997 or individuals who collect both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) operate on a different timetable. These groups typically receive their payments on the 1st or 3rd of the month and are unaffected by the shifting Wednesday-based schedule.

In light of the delay, the SSA recommends that recipients wait at least three mailing days past their expected payment date before contacting the agency to report a missing check. For the vast majority of beneficiaries-around 99 percent -payments are made via direct deposit, which significantly reduces the chance of logistical errors.

Looking ahead, similar situations may arise again later this year. August and November 2025 also have second Wednesdays that fall later in the month, meaning those months may see similar shifts in the perceived arrival of payments.