Retirement Social Security

Social Security Update: Benefits of Up to $5,181 Coming This Week

Find out if a check is coming your way, and how much to expect.

By Michelle Smith , Edited by Calista Headrick

Updated May 21, 2026

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This week, millions of Americans are scheduled to receive their Social Security payment for the month of May. Some retirees receive senior benefits of up to $5,181, though the average payment is much lower and can vary based on factors like your age at retirement and lifetime earning history.

Want to know why most Americans earn less than the maximum Social Security amount and when monthly payments are distributed? Keep reading. We answer common Social Security questions about benefit timing, calculations, and more.

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How the SSA calculates benefits

The Social Security Administration (SSA) bases your benefit check amount on two main factors: how much you earned, and how old you were when you retired.

First, the SSA looks at your 35 best-paid working years to calculate your average monthly earnings. Next, it uses that number to determine your Social Security benefit check, which you can start collecting in full when you reach full retirement age. (For those born from 1960 onward, the SSA considers 67 the full retirement age.)

But if you retire prior to your full retirement age, your benefits will be reduced by a certain percentage for the rest of your life. On the flip side, if you put off taking benefits until you turn 70, you'll get a higher monthly payment than you would have otherwise.

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The max benefit is large, but most payments aren't that high

If you retire this year at age 70 (and if you earned the maximum amount of taxable income across a 35-year career) your benefit check can be as high as $5,181.

But as of April 2026, which represents the most recent data available, the SSA reports that the average Social Security payment for retired workers was $2,081.16 — well below the maximum amount.

It's possible that you'll bring home a higher check amount than the average, but it's important to be realistic about what you'll receive. Make sure to crunch the numbers using the SSA's benefit calculator instead of assuming you'll get an above-average payment, so you don't retire to any unpleasant surprises.

When you get paid depends on when you were born

The SSA breaks up payments based on the date of your birth, not the year you were born or your age at retirement. Here's how the calendar shakes out:

If you were born between the first and 10th day of your birth month, you get your Social Security benefit on the second Wednesday of every month.
If you were born between the 11th and 20th day of your birth month, you get your benefit on the third Wednesday of every month.
If you were born between the 21st and 31st day of your birth month, you get your benefit on the fourth Wednesday of every month.

Since this is the last full week of May, the final Social Security payment of the month is scheduled to go out this Wednesday to those born between the 21st and 31st.

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There are exceptions to the Wednesday payment schedule

The birth date-based Social Security payment schedule only applies if you started receiving Social Security benefits after May 1997. Anyone who retired before that date gets their Social Security check on the third day of the month. Individuals who qualify for both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) also get their Social Security check on the third and their SSI payment on the first.

Weekends and holidays can impact future paydays

Social Security payments typically arrive on a predictable schedule, which makes it easier to pay bills on time and ensure you have enough cash flow to last the month. However, the SSA can't process payments on federal holidays or weekends. Payments scheduled for those days will be made on the earliest weekday before the holiday or weekend, so you'll always get your payment earlier, not late.

Fortunately, there aren't any Wedneday holidays in the month of May. You can expect your May 27 payment to arrive on time, even though it's just two days after Memorial Day.

What to do if your check doesn't arrive on time

If you don't receive your scheduled Social Security payment this Wednesday, the SSA asks that you wait three mailing days (meaning any day but Sunday or a federal holiday) before reaching out to their customer service team. In the meantime, you should contact your bank to ask if the payment is in transit and simply hasn't finished processing. Then, log on to your my Social Security account and double-check that your phone number, address, and direct deposit information are all up to date.

If all your information is in order online and your bank confirms the problem isn't on their end, you can reach the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 by calling between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. your time.

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Bottom line

A stress-free retirement is contingent on having a stable source of income, and Social Security is just one key part of the bigger picture. Taking your required annual distributions, living within your means, and devising a smart tax strategy will all help you keep your head above water once you leave the workforce. Contact a retirement planner or financial advisor to get more personalized help.

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