If you're waiting for your Social Security check this month, there's good news for a specific group of beneficiaries. April 22 marks the last scheduled payment of the month, and some could see deposits much higher than usual, even approaching $5,000. Here we explain who qualifies and why not everyone receives that amount.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) distributes monthly payments according to each beneficiary's date of birth. As of April 2026, the schedule is organized as follows:

This system applies to most of the more than 70 million people who receive benefits, whether for retirement, disability, or survivors. However, there are exceptions. For example, those who began receiving payments before May 1997 receive their money on the 3rd of each month. The same is true for those who combine Social Security with the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program.

Who can receive up to $5,000?

Although $5,000 a month in Social Security benefits is very attractive, the reality is that not all beneficiaries receive such high amounts.

In fact, the average monthly payment for retired workers is around $2,079, while people with disabilities receive about $1,634, according to official data. So, where do the payments of up to $5,000 come from? The SSA explains that the maximum amount depends on several factors: how much you earned during your working life, how many years you worked, and, above all, the age at which you decided to retire. “If you retire at age 70 in 2026, your benefit could be $5,181,” the Social Security Administration notes. “If you retire at full age, it would be less, and even lower if you start at age 62.” This means that only a small group of people reach that amount. These are workers who had high incomes for at least 35 years and who delayed their retirement until age 70 to maximize their benefit.

How Social Security Benefits Are Calculated and Paid

The SSA calculates your benefit based on your 35 highest-earning years, adjusted for inflation. If you worked fewer years, those missing years count as zero, which lowers the average. In addition,cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) can increase your annual payment, helping to offset inflation.

The age at which you choose to retire also affects the payment you will receive from Social Security. You can start receiving payments as early as age 62, but with a reduction of up to 30%. Conversely, if you wait longer, your check increases each year until age 70.

Social Security payments are primarily made by direct deposit. Beneficiaries can update their bank information through the online tool "my Social Security."

For those without a bank account, there is the Direct Express card, a debit card where the money is automatically deposited. This option is common among people who prefer not to use traditional banks.