The average Social Security retirement benefit in 2024 is around $1,907 per month, but that number masks huge variation based on when you were born, how much you earned, and when you claim.
The $1,907 figure is a snapshot — it changes every year when benefits adjust for inflation, and it includes people who claimed at 62 (getting less) and people who waited until 70 (getting more). Your own benefit depends entirely on your earnings record. Someone who worked part-time for 30 years will receive far less than someone who worked full-time for 45 years, even if they both claim at the same age.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes this average to show what a typical beneficiary receives, but it is not a prediction of what you will get. To know your actual benefit amount, you need to look at your own earnings record through your Social Security account or by requesting a statement from SSA.
Key Takeaways
- The average monthly benefit of around $1,907 includes all retirees, disabled workers, and survivors — your benefit will differ based on your specific earnings history.
- Claiming at 62 reduces your benefit by roughly 30 percent compared to claiming at your full retirement age, which varies by birth year between 66 and 67.
- Waiting to claim until 70 increases your benefit by about 24 percent per year you delay past your full retirement age.
- You can see your projected benefit amount by creating a my Social Security account at ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-772-1213 to request a statement.
How your earnings record determines your benefit
Social Security calculates your benefit based on your 35 highest-earning years. If you worked fewer than 35 years, SSA counts zero-earning years in the calculation, which lowers your benefit. If you took time out of the workforce — to raise children, care for a family member, or because of unemployment — those years count as zeros unless you have enough high-earning years to offset them.
The formula is progressive, meaning it replaces a higher percentage of earnings for lower-income workers than for higher-income workers. Someone who earned $30,000 per year will receive a larger percentage of their pre-retirement income than someone who earned $150,000 per year. This is why two people with the same number of working years can have very different benefit amounts.
You can review your earnings record through your my Social Security account. If you spot an error — a year where your employer failed to report your wages, or wages credited to the wrong year — you can request a correction. SSA has a limited window to fix errors, so catching them early matters.
What claiming age does to your monthly payment
Your full retirement age is when SSA considers you may be able to access for your full benefit amount. This age is 66 or 67 depending on your birth year. If you were born in 1960 or later, your full retirement age is 67. If you were born between 1943 and 1954, it is 66.
Claiming before your full retirement age permanently reduces your benefit. Claiming at 62 — the earliest you can claim — reduces your benefit by roughly 30 percent. Claiming at 65 reduces it by roughly 13 percent. The reduction is permanent; you do not get a larger check later to make up for the smaller checks now.
Delaying past your full retirement age increases your benefit by roughly 8 percent per year you wait, up until age 70. Someone born in 1960 with a full retirement age of 67 who waits until 70 receives about 24 percent more per month than they would at 67. After 70, your benefit no longer increases, so there is no financial reason to delay beyond that point.
How the average breaks down by beneficiary type
The $1,907 average includes three groups: retired workers, disabled workers, and survivors of deceased workers. Each group has a different average because they have different earning histories and claiming patterns.
Retired workers make up the largest group and have the highest average benefit — around $1,907 per month in 2024. Disabled workers (those on Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI) receive an average of roughly $1,550 per month, because many became disabled before reaching peak earning years. Survivors — children and spouses of deceased workers — receive varying amounts depending on their relationship to the worker and their age.
Spousal and survivor benefits are calculated differently than retirement benefits. A spouse can receive up to 50 percent of the retired worker's benefit at the spouse's full retirement age, or less if they claim earlier. A child of a deceased worker can receive up to 75 percent of what the worker would have received. These amounts are not added to the average; they are separate categories.
Why your benefit might be higher or lower than average
If you earned significantly more than the average worker over your career, your benefit will be higher than $1,907. If you earned less, it will be lower. If you worked only 20 years instead of 35, your benefit will be substantially lower because SSA counts 15 zero-earning years in the calculation.
Your benefit is also affected by the year you were born. Workers born in different years have different full retirement ages, which changes the reduction for claiming early and the increase for claiming late. A worker born in 1943 has a different full retirement age than a worker born in 1960, so their benefit calculations differ even if they earned the same amount.
If you worked for a government employer and did not pay Social Security taxes, you may be subject to the Government Pension Offset or the Windfall Elimination Provision, both of which reduce your benefit. These rules apply to a small percentage of beneficiaries but can significantly lower the amount you receive.
How inflation adjustments work
Every January, Social Security benefits increase by a percentage tied to inflation, called the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). In 2024, benefits increased by 3.2 percent. In 2023, they increased by 8.7 percent. In years with low inflation, the increase is smaller or zero.
The COLA applies to all beneficiaries — retirees, disabled workers, and survivors. It is automatic; you do not need to do anything to receive it. The adjustment is based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), which measures price changes for goods and services.
Because the COLA varies year to year, the average benefit amount also changes. The $1,907 figure will be different in 2025 because of the 2025 COLA adjustment, which SSA announces in October of the prior year.
How to find your own projected benefit
The easiest way to see what you might receive is to create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov. You will need your Social Security number, email address, and a way to verify your identity. Once you log in, you can view your earnings record and see your projected benefit at different claiming ages — 62, your full retirement age, and 70.
The projection assumes you continue working and earning at your current rate until you claim. If you plan to retire early or your earnings will change significantly, the projection will not be exact. But it gives you a realistic range based on your actual record.
If you do not have internet access or prefer to speak with someone, you can call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and request a statement by mail. Wait times are long, especially early in the week, so calling mid-week or mid-month usually means shorter holds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the average benefit the same for men and women?
No. Women's average benefit is typically lower because women are more likely to have taken time out of the workforce, which results in lower lifetime earnings and therefore lower benefits. The gender gap in Social Security benefits reflects the gender gap in earnings and workforce participation.
What happens to the average benefit if I die before claiming?
You do not receive anything, but your family may. Your spouse, ex-spouse, and children may be able to claim survivor benefits based on your earnings record. The total amount paid to your family is limited to roughly 175 to 180 percent of what you would have received at your full retirement age.
Does working after I start receiving benefits change my monthly amount?
If you claim before your full retirement age and continue working, SSA reduces your benefit by $1 for every $2 you earn above an annual limit (roughly $23,400 in 2024). Once you reach your full retirement age, there is no earnings limit. After full retirement age, additional work can increase your benefit if those years replace lower-earning years in your record.
Can I get more than the average if I was married for a long time?
Your own benefit is based on your own earnings record, not your spouse's. However, if your spouse's earnings record is higher than yours, you may be able to receive a spousal benefit of up to 50 percent of their benefit at your full retirement age. This is separate from your own benefit and does not reduce theirs.
How often does SSA update the average benefit figure?
SSA publishes updated average benefit amounts every January when the annual COLA adjustment takes effect. The figure you see reflects what beneficiaries are actually receiving that month, adjusted for inflation from the prior year.