Social Security is a major source of income for nearly 73M Americans — but how far does the average check go? See average benefits by age and gender, how its calculated and making the most of your money,

For the first time ever, the average American’s Social Security benefit surpassed $2,000. To be precise, the figure was $2,002.39 - don’t forget those $2.39. A little goes a long way. For reference, the average retired worker’s benefit from May 2024 was approximately $85 less ($1,917).

Social Security continues to be a source of income for millions of Americans, especially retirees, people with disabilities, and survivor beneficiaries, and according to SSA's general data, in 2025, monthly amounts reflect adjustments made for cost of living increases,