If you’re 64 years old and getting Social Security, you might be wondering exactly when your payment is coming this May — and if you’re eligible for the $1,425.42 everyone’s talking about. Here’s a simple breakdown to help you understand the payment dates, who qualifies, and what else to keep in mind.
When Will the Payment Arrive?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) doesn’t send out everyone’s money on the same day. Instead, payments are made based on your birthday.
Here’s how it works this May:
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If your birthday is between the 1st and 10th, you’ll get your payment on Wednesday, May 8
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If your birthday is between the 11th and 20th, your payment will arrive on Wednesday, May 15
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If your birthday falls between the 21st and 31st, you’ll get your money on Wednesday, May 22
There’s one exception — if you started receiving Social Security before May 1997, your payment was already sent out on May 3.
So depending on your birth date, your Social Security check will land in your account on one of those Wednesdays.
Why $1,425.42?
The $1,425.42 figure is just an example of an estimated monthly benefit, not a fixed amount for everyone. How much you get depends on a few things:
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How much you earned while working
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How many years you worked and paid into Social Security
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The age at which you started claiming benefits
At age 64, if you’re already claiming Social Security, you’re getting slightly less than your full amount because full retirement age (for those born in 1961) is 66 years and 10 months. So if your full benefit would be $1,425.42, starting early at 64 means you might be getting closer to $1,237 per month instead.
Who Can Get This Payment?
To be eligible for Social Security benefits at age 64, you need to have:
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Worked for about 10 years or more (that’s 40 “work credits” in Social Security terms)
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Already signed up to receive benefits (you can start anytime after age 62)
If you meet these basic rules and are already receiving benefits, your May payment is on the way. If you haven’t applied yet, you can still do so — just keep in mind that starting early means you’ll get a smaller monthly check than if you waited until your full retirement age.
Things to Keep in Mind
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Cost-of-Living Boost: In 2025, Social Security checks got a 2.5% bump to help with inflation. This helps a little with rising prices.
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Spousal Benefits: If you’re married, you might be eligible for a portion of your spouse’s benefits — even if you didn’t work much yourself.
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Delaying Helps: If you haven’t started yet and can wait until after your full retirement age, your monthly check gets bigger. You can get even more if you delay until age 70.
Final Thoughts
If you’re 64 and already on Social Security, your May 2025 payment — possibly around $1,237 or more — is coming soon, based on your birthday. Make sure your bank info and personal details are up to date with Social Security to avoid delays. And if you haven’t applied yet, take some time to look into your options. Every year you wait (up to age 70) means a bigger check.
