Millions of Americans expecting Social Security checks will find their accounts quiet this week—but this is not because of any issue, it is just how the payment calendar is structured.
May 5 to 10 marks just one of two weeks this year in which no scheduled benefits are being distributed, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA)’s 2025 payment calendar.
Why It Matters
Some 68.5 million Americans receive Social Security checks of some kind, according to SSA figures from 2024.
These people will be used to being paid on every week of the year—there are only two weeks in which Social Security payments are not made—this one and August 4-9.
Even a planned gap in payments can be concerning to recipients who rely on the timing of these deposits. While the week may feel like a delay, it’s simply a function of how monthly benefits are spaced.
What To Know
The SSA uses a rotating schedule to distribute benefits, with benefits issued based on birth dates.
Those born between the 1st and 10th of the month are paid on the second Wednesday (May 14), while those with birth dates from the 11th to the 20th are paid on the third Wednesday (May 21). Those born after the 20th receive their checks on the fourth Wednesday (May 28).
Because of this structure, the first full week of May includes no payment dates.
Those who began receiving Social Security benefits before May 1997 are paid on the 3rd of each month. For May 2025, that date fell last week.
These schedule quirks happen every year but the number of payments per year remains the same.
What People Are Saying
Celebrating the Donald Trump administration’s first 100 days in office, Acting Commissioner of Social Security Lee Dudek said: “I am proud of the extraordinary work by our dedicated employees at SSA to help deliver on President Trump’s promise to protect Social Security.
“Our employees understand the urgency of the moment and have worked hard to restore the public’s trust. While much work remains to be done, there is no question that SSA is taking the necessary steps to transform how it serves the public while protecting hardworking American taxpayers.”
What Happens Next
The next Social Security payments will be issued on May 14, 21 and 28, depending on recipients’ birth dates. The SSA urges beneficiaries to check its official calendar to stay informed and avoid confusion.
The SSA recommends that beneficiaries who have not received their monthly payment on the expected date wait three working days before contacting the agency. Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays are not considered working days.
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