The Social Security Administration has scheduled the first payments for May 2026 to be distributed today, May 13, for recipients born between the 1st and 10th of the month. The payment schedule continues with additional distributions on May 20 for those born between the 11th and 20th and on May 27 for recipients born after the 20th. Social Security benefits primarily support retirees and older adults, with maximum benefits varying based on retirement age. For 2026, individuals retiring at age 62 can receive a maximum benefit of $2,969, while those retiring at full retirement age (67) can receive $4,152, and those delaying until age 70 can receive up to $5,181. Recent changes in legislation, specifically the repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset through the Social Security Fairness Act, have allowed some beneficiaries to see an average increase of $360 per month, with some experiencing increases of up to $1,000.