Who Will Receive the Social Security Payment on May 3, 2025? Understanding Group 1 Retirees
If you’re receiving a Social Security benefit in the United States, you might be eligible for a new check on May 3, 2025. But not every retiree will get this payment. Only those who meet a specific condition—being part of Group 1—will receive their Social Security check on this date. Everyone else will need to wait until the following weeks of May for their payment.
To understand this schedule better, it’s important to know how Social Security divides retirees into four payment groups. Each group has a set date when they receive their monthly benefit. The May 3 payment is the first Social Security payment of the month, and it’s reserved for Group 1 retirees.
Who Gets Paid on May 3, 2025?
The May 3 payment goes to Group 1 retirees only. You belong to Group 1 if you:
Started receiving your Social Security benefits before May 1997.
This includes all types of benefits—whether you’re retired due to age, disability, or you’re receiving survivors or spousal benefits. If you fall under this group, you’ll get your monthly payment on May 3rd, just like you did on April 3rd, and in the same pattern each month.
If your first benefit payment came after May 1997, then you are not in Group 1. You will receive your May check on one of the other scheduled payment days later in the month, depending on your birth date.
What If I Already Received a Payment in April?
If you’re in Group 1 and you received your April payment on April 3, you will not get another payment in the final days of April. Your next payment will be on May 3, 2025. Social Security pays only one benefit check per month, and that date depends entirely on your group, not the benefit amount or the reason you receive it.
How Are the Social Security Groups Divided?
Here’s a quick look at the groups:
Group 1: Received benefits before May 1997 — Paid on the 3rd of each month
Group 2: Benefits started after May 1997 + Birthday falls between the 1st–10th — Paid on the 2nd Wednesday
Group 3: Benefits started after May 1997 + Birthday falls between the 11th–20th — Paid on the 3rd Wednesday
Group 4: Benefits started after May 1997 + Birthday falls between the 21st–31st — Paid on the 4th Wednesday
So, the group you belong to determines when your payment arrives each month. You can’t switch groups, and your benefit date doesn’t change unless your circumstances change significantly.
How Much Will I Get in My May 3 Check?
The payment amount doesn’t depend on the date you receive it. Whether you receive your benefit on May 3, May 8, or later, the check amount is based on your work history, earnings, and the type of benefit you’re receiving.
Some retirees receive the maximum monthly check of over $5,000, while others may get an average of around $1,800 to $3,500. The date you’re paid does not affect the amount you receive.
So if you’re part of Group 1 and usually receive a check on the 3rd of every month, expect your May payment on Friday, May 3, 2025, regardless of the amount.
The May 3 Social Security payment is only for Group 1 beneficiaries—those who have been receiving benefits since before May 1997. If you’re in this group, you’ll get your monthly payment as usual on that date. If not, you’ll have to wait for your payment date based on your birthdate and benefit start date.
Knowing which group you belong to helps avoid confusion about when you’ll get paid. If you’re unsure, you can check your Social Security account online or contact the SSA for help. Staying informed ensures you can plan your finances better and avoid unnecessary worries each month.
