As of May 2025, over 55 million people receive Social Security retirement benefits, with most relying on them for most or all of their retirement income. The amount of these benefits varies, but having a gist of average benefits at certain ages can help you set expectations and begin planning your budget accordingly.

Here's the average Social Security benefit for people age 65. Waiting longer to claim benefits, even past retirement age, can boost monthly payments

Social Security beneficiaries are poised for a potential 2.5% increase in their benefits next year, driven by a slight uptick in inflation.