In the United States, the Social Security system is keeping up with its usual schedule, and this May, it's time for a new round of payments for millions of people. Those who were born between the 1st and 10th of the month should expect to see their money deposited on Tuesday, May 14, following the Social Security Administration's (SSA) normal payment plan.
The upcoming payment isn't just any payment—it includes the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) that started in January 2025. So, even though there's no new increase this month, the payment will be a bit bigger, by 2.5%, to reflect the increase planned for this whole year.
This COLA boost has been part of every payment from January on, without needing any extra steps from recipients.
It's important to note that some people might think this is a new increase, but actually, the COLA is only adjusted once a year. The idea behind it is to help maintain the value of the monthly benefit against the rise in prices, making sure people can afford what they need with their Social Security money.
Once the increase is set for the year, it stays the same for all payments made that year.
The May 14 payment is specifically for a group of Social Security beneficiaries who started getting their benefits after May 1997 and have birthdays between the 1st and 10th of the month. Those fitting both criteria will get their payment on schedule.
Who is Eligible for the COLA-included Payment on May 14?
This payment targets group 2 of Social Security beneficiaries. To be part of this group, you have to:
- Have begun receiving Social Security benefits after May 1997.
- Have a birthday between the 1st and 10th of any month.
If you only meet one of these requirements, your payment will be scheduled for a different week. The SSA schedules monthly payments by considering both birth date and the start date of benefits, helping spread out payments smoothly throughout the month.
Like all payments since January of this year, the May 14 payment also includes the COLA increase, now at 2.6%. This boost is added automatically to all monthly benefits and is reflected in the money recipients receive, continuing from January through the rest of the year.
What's the Highest Social Security Payment in 2025?
Not everyone gets the same Social Security payment. How much you receive each month can vary based on factors like how long you've worked, your earnings over your career, and at what age you chose to retire. These factors come together to determine your monthly check amount.
In 2025, the most money a retiree could get each month is $5,108. This maximum payment is for those who wait until they're 70 to retire, have worked at least 35 years, and earned a high salary. This top amount is set after applying the year’s COLA.
For retirees who choose to retire at 67, the highest monthly payment is $4,873 in 2025. And for those who retire early at 62, their payment will be significantly less than these amounts.
Regardless of when you choose to retire, the amounts now reflect the yearly COLA boost—something that won’t change again until early 2026.
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Read more: When to Expect Your Tax Refund in 2025: Dates for May 5th to 11th
