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Income from Social Security
Nearly nine in ten older adults receives income from Social Security. Below are statistics on the benefits received by older adults, by average, median and relative importance.
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Average Social Security Benefits
In 2009, the average retiree receives an estimated $13,836 a year in Social Security benefits. Couples, where both are receiving benefits receive $22,512 a year. The average for an aged widow or widower is $13,344.
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Measures of Social Security benefits |
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Average benefits for retired workers |
$13,836 |
Average benefits received by a couple, both of whom were receiving benefits |
$22,512 |
Average aged widow/widower benefit |
$13,344 |
Median Social Security Benefits
The Social Security Administration also publishes median Social Security benefit numbers. These are published less frequently. The 2008 figures show that half of all people age 65 and older received less than $12,437 a year from Social Security.
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Age group |
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65 and older |
$12,437 |
65-69 |
$12,480 |
70-79 |
$12,113 |
80+ |
$12,557 |
Why Social Security is So Important
Social Security benefits account for 50 percent or more of retirement income for three out of five beneficiaries receiving Social Security benefits who are age 65 or older. One out of five received all of their income from Social Security in 2008. For additional information view the statistics here.
Social Security benefits are particularly important to lower income recipients. More than half of those in the lowest one-fifth (quintile) of older adults receiving Social Security in 2008 received all of their income from Social Security. The full table on income quintiles can be viewed here.
For More Statistics on the Income of Older Adults:
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| Note: Every effort has been made to include the latest available figures. If you know of more recent numbers, please let us know. | ||
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