If you’re one of the millions of Americans relying on Social Security, staying updated with payment schedules and strategies to boost your benefit is essential. For May 2025, while some payments have already gone out, two more disbursements remain — and there are ways you can increase your future monthly income significantly.
Social Security Payment Schedule for May 2025
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has already completed two of the four scheduled payments for May:
- May 2: Payment for those who started receiving benefits before May 1997, receive both Social Security and SSI, or reside outside the U.S.
- May 14: Payment for beneficiaries born between the 1st and 10th of any month.
Still to come:
- May 21: Beneficiaries born between the 11th and 20th
- May 28: Beneficiaries born between the 21st and 31st
Make sure you’re aware of your designated payment date to avoid any surprises.
Maximize Your Social Security: Here’s How
Many beneficiaries don’t realize that with a few strategic decisions, Social Security payments can increase dramatically — even up to $5,108 per month in 2025.
The most effective tactic? Delay claiming your benefits. While early filers at age 62 receive $2,831/month, waiting until age 66 raises the maximum benefit to $3,795, and at age 67, it increases to $4,043. Those who wait until 70 — the maximum delay age — unlock the top benefit of $5,108 per month.
This boost reflects a delay incentive built into the system: The later you start collecting, the more you receive monthly. This is especially worthwhile if you’ve consistently earned at or near the Social Security taxable income limit, which is $176,100 annually in 2025.
Additionally, working longer can help those who haven’t yet hit the 35-year mark for high-income contributions. Each additional year of earnings adds to your work history, potentially replacing lower-earning years in your benefit calculation and reducing early retirement penalties.
Inflation Adjustments and Future Increases
In 2025, Social Security saw a boost due to inflation adjustments — and more increases could be on the horizon. The SSA applies an annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to account for rising prices, which means beneficiaries might see higher monthly deposits in the near future.
Bottom Line
Whether you’re waiting for your May payment or thinking long-term about retirement, staying informed on payment schedules and understanding benefit-boosting strategies can make a big financial difference. The key is planning ahead — and knowing when and how to claim what you’ve earned.