When are Social Security and SSI paid out in May 2026? Complete payment schedule
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Key Points:
- The Social Security Administration (SSA) has already paid May 2026 benefits to SSI recipients, long-term Social Security beneficiaries who started before May 1997, and dual recipients of Social Security and SSI as of May 1.
- Most Social Security recipients (around 71.1 million) will receive their retirement, disability, or survivor benefits on one of three Wednesdays in May, based on the beneficiary’s birthdate: May 13, 20, or 27.
- Average monthly benefits are $2,081.16 for retired workers, $1,634.70 for disabled workers, $1,625.56 for survivors, and $738.22 for SSI recipients according to SSA data.
- Payments are made via direct deposit or loaded onto the Direct Express Card, a federal benefits debit card.
- May 2026 marks the second-longest wait period for the three-Wednesdays payment cycle to begin for Social Security beneficiaries.
