If you’re someone who gets Social Security payments, you might have noticed some buzz around a delay this May. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has said that there will be no retirement checks issued during the second week of May 2025. But don’t worry—it’s a temporary issue, and here’s why it’s happening.
What’s Causing the Delay?
Normally, the SSA sends Social Security checks based on when you were born. But this May, something a little unusual is happening with the calendar.
In May 2025, the second Wednesday, when Social Security checks are usually sent to those born between the 1st and 10th of the month, falls too late to be part of the usual schedule. This means that no payments will be made in the second week of May. Instead, those expecting checks on that day will get theirs a week later, on May 21.
How Does the Payment Schedule Work?
To help everyone understand, here’s a quick refresher on how Social Security payments are typically scheduled:
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If your birthday is between the 1st and 10th, your check usually comes on the 2nd Wednesday of the month.
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If your birthday is between the 11th and 20th, your check comes on the 3rd Wednesday.
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If your birthday is between the 21st and 31st, your check comes on the 4th Wednesday.
But, because May 2025 has a weird calendar quirk, the second Wednesday, May 14, won’t fit the usual pattern. So, there are no payments issued that week. If you would normally get your check on May 14, you’ll receive it on May 21 instead.
Who Will Be Affected?
This delay mainly impacts people who were expecting their Social Security check in the second week of May. So if your birthday falls between the 1st and 10th of the month, your payment will be delayed by a week, and you will get it on May 21.
If your birthday falls between the 11th and 20th, you’ll get your check on May 21 as usual, and if your birthday is between the 21st and 31st, your payment will still come on the 4th Wednesday of the month (May 28).
What Should You Do If You’re Affected?
If your payment is delayed, it’s a good idea to plan ahead. You might need to adjust your budget for the one-week gap if you rely on that check for your monthly expenses. It might be worth looking at your savings or other sources of income to make sure you’re covered until May 21.
If you’re worried or need help managing, the SSA is there to assist you, and you can always reach out to them for advice.
Will This Happen Again?
No need to worry about delays like this in the future. This scheduling hiccup in May 2025 is a one-time thing due to how the calendar works. Starting in June, everything will be back to normal, and Social Security checks will be issued as usual on the scheduled Wednesdays based on your birthdate.
Final Thoughts
In short, there’s a slight delay in Social Security payments this May because of how the calendar lines up. If you usually get your payment on the second Wednesday of the month (and your birthday is between the 1st and 10th), your check will come a bit later than usual, on May 21.
This delay doesn’t mean you won’t get your full payment, just that you’ll have to wait a little longer. Rest assured, the SSA will continue to process payments as usual in future months.
