Here’s when your Social Security payment will be made this week

The final regular Social Security payments for May 2026 will go out on Wednesday.

Social Security retirement, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and survivor benefits will be paid to those whose birthdays fall between the 21st and 31st of the month, providing help to older people, people with disabilities and the families of former Social Security workers. 

Some beneficiaries experienced longer-than-usual wait times for payments in May due to the month starting on a Friday and payments landing in bank accounts on the second Wednesday of the month. Here’s what you need to know.

What payments will be made, and who will receive them?

Beneficiaries whose birthdays fall between the 21st and the 31st of the month will receive their payments in this cycle. Payments for this group are due on the fourth Wednesday of the month, May 27.

Note that anyone who receives both Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a payment for people with lower incomes, and Social Security is paid at the beginning of the month.  This schedule applies to those who began receiving Social Security before May 1997. 

If you get benefits based on someone else’s earnings record (a survivor benefit or spouse benefit), your payment date is determined by that person’s birthday.

The full table of Social Security payment dates for May 2026 can be found below.

Will any payments be delayed this month?

Although Memorial Day fell on May 25 and banks and federal offices were closed, the final scheduled Social Security payments for May 2026 are still due on May 27.

If your Social Security payment is late and you cannot contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) that day, first check whether the payment date was adjusted because of a weekend or holiday.

Check to see if there is a pending deposit in your bank account, and log in to your Social Security account to confirm your payment history and direct-deposit details. Beneficiaries are advised to wait at least three business days after the expected payment date before contacting the SSA, because bank processing delays can happen. 

If the money still hasn’t arrived after that, call 1-800-772-1213 or check your online account and bank activity first. Before calling the SSA, have your Social Security number, bank account information, the date the payment was due and any recent change of address, bank or representative payee status ready.

How can I check whether my payments are correct?

You can check whether your Social Security payments are correct by reviewing your My Social Security account, where you can see your monthly benefit amount, earnings history and any deductions.

It’s important to make sure your earnings record is accurate, since benefits are calculated based on your lifetime income and missing or incorrect earnings can affect your payment.

You should also compare your current deposit with the benefit amount listed in your Social Security award letter and account for common deductions such as Medicare premiums, taxes or overpayment recoveries.

If something doesn’t look right, you can contact the SSA to request a review or recalculation of your benefits. The average monthly retirement benefit totals $2,026.41, while disabled workers take home roughly $1,634.70.