In May 2026, Social Security payments in the United States will be delayed due to the calendar, with the first payment scheduled for May 13. Payments are typically issued on Wednesdays, with recipients born between the 1st and 10th receiving their benefits on the second Wednesday of the month. For May, subsequent payments will be made on May 20 and May 27 for recipients born between the 11th and 20th and after the 20th, respectively. The maximum monthly benefit for Social Security can reach $5,181 for individuals who delay claiming until age 70. Additionally, recent changes from the Social Security Fairness Act have resulted in increased benefits for some recipients, with an average monthly increase of $360 and some beneficiaries seeing changes of up to $1,000. These adjustments primarily affect retirees and older adults, as well as individuals with disabilities and qualifying children.