The Social Security Administration (SSA) has put out the payment dates for May 2026, and it’s the usual routine with no delays expected. Up to 70 million recipients get these payments every month, and the groups comprised are retirees, surviving relatives of late retirees, disabled individuals, among others.
They still go by your birthday to decide when you get paid. Most retirees and disability recipients get their money on a Wednesday, divided into three groups:
- Born between the 1st and 10th: payment on Wednesday, May 13.
- Born between the 11th and 20th: payment on Wednesday, May 20.
- Born on the 21st or later: payment on Wednesday, May 27.
One important exception for older Social Security workers
If you started getting Social Security before May 1997, you’re on the old schedule. You should receive your payment on Friday, May 1, regardless of your birthday.
Now, for those with Supplemental Security Income (SSI) usually hits on the first business day of the month. For May 2026, that’s Friday, May 1.
The full 2026 SSI schedule looks like this:
- May 1 (Friday)
- June 1 (Monday)
- July 1 (Wednesday)
- July 31 (Friday)
- September 1 (Tuesday)
- October 1 (Thursday)
- October 30 (Friday)
- December 1 (Tuesday)
- December 31 (Thursday)
A few months this year have two payments (July, October, and December) because of how the calendar falls. Just something to keep in mind for your budgeting.
Maximum Social Security Benefits in 2026
If you’ve earned the maximum taxable amount for most of your career, here’s what you could get per month depending on when you claim:
- At age 62: up to $2,969 per month.
- At full retirement age (66-67 depending on your birth year): up to $4,152 per month.
- At age 70: up to $5,181 per month.
- SSI benefits: $994 for an individual an $1,450 for a couple filing together.
Waiting until 70 gives you the biggest monthly check, but of course that only makes sense if you can afford to delay and you’re in good health. Most people get less than these maximums because they didn’t earn the top amount every year.
