Social Security Payment Schedule — May 2026
For May 2026 benefits, the SSA issues payments on 4 dates. Which one is yours depends on your birthday and benefit type — find your date below.
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All May 2026 payment dates
Adjusted for weekends and federal holidays. Click a date for full details.
| Payment date | Who gets paid |
|---|---|
| Friday, May 1, 2026 | Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients; Beneficiaries who started receiving benefits before May 1997, or who receive both Social Security and SSI |
| Wednesday, May 13, 2026 | Retirement, survivors, and disability (SSDI) beneficiaries born on the 1st through the 10th of the month |
| Wednesday, May 20, 2026 | Retirement, survivors, and disability (SSDI) beneficiaries born on the 11th through the 20th of the month |
| Wednesday, May 27, 2026 | Retirement, survivors, and disability (SSDI) beneficiaries born on the 21st through the 31st of the month |
Source: official SSA payment schedule (2026).
Which May date is yours?
Born 1st – 10th
Paid on the 2nd Wednesday of May.
Born 11th – 20th
Paid on the 3rd Wednesday of May.
Born 21st – 31st
Paid on the 4th Wednesday of May.
Before May 1997 / SS + SSI
Paid on the 3rd of the month; SSI arrives on the 1st.
Program-specific calendars: SSDI payment schedule 2026 · SSI payment dates 2026
How much is the payment in 2026?
Monthly amounts after the 2.8% COLA. Source: SSA 2026 COLA fact sheet.
Frequently asked questions
How many Social Security payments are there in May 2026?
The SSA issues payments on 4 dates in May 2026: Friday, May 1, 2026; Wednesday, May 13, 2026; Wednesday, May 20, 2026; Wednesday, May 27, 2026. Each date covers a different payment group, so each beneficiary receives one monthly payment.
When is SSI paid in May 2026?
SSI for May 2026 is paid on Friday, May 1, 2026. When the 1st falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the payment moves to the previous business day.
Which May 2026 payment date is mine?
For retirement, survivors, and disability (SSDI) benefits started May 1997 or later, it depends on your birthday: born 1st–10th → 2nd Wednesday; born 11th–20th → 3rd Wednesday; born 21st–31st → 4th Wednesday. SSI is paid on the 1st, and beneficiaries who started before May 1997 (or get both SS and SSI) are paid on the 3rd.
What happens if a May payment date falls on a weekend or holiday?
The SSA issues the payment on the closest preceding business day, so it arrives early — never late. The dates shown on this page already include those adjustments.
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