Average Social Security Benefits Across Ages 62 to 99

Key Points

When planning retirement, Social Security is typically included as a source of income. Most retirees receive benefits and rely on them to meet living expenses.

Despite its significance, Social Security has notable limitations. It was created as part of a three‑leg stool that also includes retirement savings and a pension. Because it is intended to supplement, rather than replace, other income sources, the benefit amounts may be lower than expected.

These are the average Social Security benefits at every age

The table below presents average Social Security benefits by age.

Age
Average Amount
Age
Average Amount

62
$1,424.40
81
$2,099.82

63
$1,435.81
82
$2,098.76

64
$1,478.00
83
$2,102.12

65
$1,607.27
84
$2,101.26

66
$1,807.28
85
$2,077.11

67
$2,016.48
86
$2,036.62

68
$2,052.64
87
$2,015.54

69
$2,096.95
88
$1,983.29

70
$2,274.68
89
$1,925.36

71
$2,247.76
90
$1,898.34

72
$2,205.21
91
$1,894.74

73
$2,207.96
92
$1,899.20

74
$2,178.87
93
$1,920.13

75
$2,144.88
94
$1,907.78

76
$2,157.21
95
$1,890.03

77
$2,170.80
96
$1,889.08

78
$2,140.16
97
$1,891.21

79
$2,155.77
98
$1,887.57

80
$2,106.29
99 & over
$1,845.00

Table source: Social Security Administration

What can you learn from these averages?

These figures reveal several important insights:

• Average benefits are insufficient for living expenses. Even the highest average check provides under $30,000 annually, so additional retirement savings are needed.
• Benefits rise with age up to a point. They generally increase from age 62 to 70 because delaying a claim until age 70 yields the maximum benefit. Claiming earlier reduces the amount due to penalties and the loss of delayed‑retirement credits.
• Benefits decline for the oldest retirees. Those aged 90+ typically receive smaller amounts because their lifetime earnings were lower, resulting in reduced purchasing power compared with younger retirees who earned higher wages.

Although benefits are intended to adjust for inflation, the current cost‑of‑living formula does not reflect retirees’ actual price increases, leading to a gradual erosion of purchasing power for older seniors.

The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook

Many Americans are behind on retirement savings, yet a few under‑publicized tactics can enhance Social Security income.

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