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Medicare and Senior Benefits

Average Social Security benefits from 62 through 80

Digilifetrends Updated 2026-10-24 3 min read

Below is a look at the average monthly retired-worker benefit by age, using the latest available data.

Close-up of a US $100 bill with Benjamin Franklin beside a Social Security card
AgeOverallMenWomen
62$1,424.40$1,572.83$1,285.50
63$1,435.81$1,580.81$1,300.20
64$1,478.00$1,624.93$1,342.07
65$1,607.27$1,772.00$1,457.40
66$1,807.28$1,998.75$1,629.09
67$2,016.48$2,234.41$1,801.82
68$2,052.64$2,272.40$1,836.58
69$2,096.95$2,321.96$1,876.96
70$2,274.68$2,529.62$2,024.08
71$2,247.76$2,494.57$2,006.83
72$2,205.21$2,432.49$1,981.87
73$2,207.96$2,437.40$1,983.67
74$2,178.87$2,401.64$1,962.42
75$2,144.88$2,358.96$1,937.42
76$2,157.21$2,373.40$1,949.26
77$2,170.80$2,391.89$1,959.06
78$2,140.16$2,352.82$1,936.04
79$2,155.77$2,374.04$1,947.29
80$2,106.29$2,309.85$1,912.67

Why the averages rise and then level off

The figures show a 59.7% jump in average benefits between ages 62 and 70. The average monthly payment at age 70 is $850.28 higher than at age 62, which works out to an annual difference of $10,203.36. That happens because claiming at 62 can reduce benefits by 30%, while waiting until 70 can earn delayed retirement credits worth 8% a year.

Average benefits dip slightly for retirees in their late 70s. That does not mean individual checks are being cut; rather, the makeup of the group changes. Older age brackets likely include more people who claimed early and locked in permanent reductions.

Women account for a larger share of the oldest age groups because they tend to live longer. At age 70, the average benefit is $2,529.62 for men and $2,024.08 for women, a gap of roughly $505.54 a month. That difference often reflects the gender pay gap or time away from the workforce for caregiving.

Even at the age-70 high point, the average yearly benefit of $27,296.16 is still far below what many older households need. Typical senior households spend about $61,432 a year, according to the 2024 BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey, leaving a gap of $34,135.84. Social Security was created to replace only 40% of pre-retirement income.

A 3.6% cost-of-living adjustment will take effect in a future year and add about $82 a month to the average age-70 benefit.

The most relevant number for your own situation is the row that matches your intended claiming age, not the overall peak.

For more on how Social Security affects retirement, see this guide.

How will you make up the difference Social Security does not cover?

No matter when you file, you will probably need other income sources to handle retirement expenses. The earlier you start planning, the better your chances of retiring comfortably.

Many people supplement Social Security with personal savings. If your employer offers a 401(k) match, that is a strong place to start. You can also save on your own through an IRA.

Some workers may also be eligible for a pension, although pensions are less common than they once were. If you have one, it can provide a monthly payment similar to Social Security.

Others work part time in retirement to help cover costs. It is also possible to combine more than one of these income sources. Consider what makes the most sense for you and begin building a plan.

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