We don’t always love routines, we know it, but starting a new month, we do. Do you want to know why? It’s easy! Because a new round of Social Security payments begins. This week it’s time for those who receive their payments on the second Wednesday of each month. On May 14, you could receive up to $2,000 per beneficiary! That’s what the official SSA calendar estimates, which organizes payments based on the beneficiaries’ birth dates. The second Wednesdays of each month correspond to those born between the 1st and 10th of any month (who began receiving benefits after 1997). If that’s not your case… you’ll have to wait a little longer for your payment to arrive.
Below, we’ll tell you who gets paid this week, how much you’ll receive, and what to do if your check doesn’t arrive on time, it’s not common, but it can happen. Let’s go!
Who gets money this May 14
This May 14 is for beneficiaries born between the 1st and 10th of any month. It’s the third payment scheduled by the SSA for the month of May. So if you’re retired, disabled, or a survivor and were born on any of those days, you’re looking at up to $2,000!
How does the SSA payment calendar work?
We’ve already told you that SSA separates payments based on the beneficiaries’ birth dates. That way they can stay organized and ensure payments reach everyone on time. Here’s the remaining calendar for this month of May:
- This Wednesday, May 14: those born between the 1st and 10th receive their check.
- On May 21: those born between the 11th and 20th.
- On May 28: those born between the 21st and 31st get paid.
This only applies to people who started receiving benefits after May 1997. For those who started earlier, they have a fixed date and get their money on the third business day of the month (regardless of when they were born). For May, your payment should’ve arrived on the 2nd (since the 3rd was a Saturday).
On the other hand, those who receive money from the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program get it on the 1st of each month.
And if it falls on a holiday or weekend?
You already know this, but we’ll repeat it: if your check is supposed to arrive on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday, SSA prefers to move the payment up to the previous business day so there are no delays.
How much comes in this month?
Let’s get to the important numbers. The national average for retirement payments is $2,000 per month ($1,999.97 if we want to be exact), but the final amount depends on your earnings history, how many years you contributed, and the age at which you retired.
What other payments are there and how much are they?
- Disability (SSDI): $1,581.88 per month
- Survivor benefits: $1,565.52
- SSI (for low-income individuals or those with disabilities): $717.87
How do I know if my money has arrived?
The fastest way to check if your deposit went through is by reviewing your bank account on the same Wednesday shown on the calendar. Most payments are made via direct deposit and usually appear in the early hours of the day. If you prefer to check online, you can view your profile at my Social Security through the SSA’s official website: ssa.gov.
And if it hasn’t arrived?
SSA recommends waiting three business days before filing a claim. Sometimes delays happen due to banking or technical issues. If after that time it still hasn’t arrived, contact SSA directly or go to a local office with your Social Security number handy, to claim what’s yours!