How Much Is the Average Social Security Check for 2022? We answer this question and more in the post below, including the average Social Security check by age. Learn how much you are likely to receive if you retire at 62, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 70, and beyond.
What is the Average Social Security Check for 2022
Here are the average Social Security checks for 2022, including other relevant numbers for the year, according to the Social Security Administration.
The average Social Security Check for all retired workers is $1,657.
See below for the other average checks by category.
| Estimated Average Monthly Social Security Benefits Payable in January 2022 | ||
| 2021 | 2022 | |
| Before 2022 5.9% COLA | After 2022 5.9% COLA | |
| All Retired Workers | $1,565 | $1,657 |
| Aged Couple, Both Receiving Benefits | $2,599 | $2,753 |
| Widowed Mother and Two Children | $3,009 | $3,187 |
| Aged Widow(er) Alone | $1,467 | $1,553 |
| Disabled Worker, Spouse, and One or More Children | $2,250 | $2,383 |
| All Disabled Workers | $1,282 | $1,358 |
Other Social Security Benefit Amounts
| Other Social Security Benefit Amounts | ||
| 2021 | 2022 | |
| Maximum Social Security Benefit: Worker Retiring at Full Retirement Age | $3,148/mo | $3,345/mo |
| SSI Federal Payment Standard | $ 794/mo. | $ 841/mo |
| Individual | $1,191/mo. | $1,261/mo |
| Couple | ||
| Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) | ||
| Non-Blind | $1,310/mo. | $1,350/mo. |
| Blind | $2,190/mo. | $2,260/mo. |
| Trial Work Period (TWP) | $ 940/mo. | $ 970/mo. |
Average Social Security Check by Age
Below is the average Social Security check by age for 2020, according to this Motley Fool report:
| Age | Average Benefit | Age | Average Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62 | $1,130 | 81 | $1,515 |
| 63 | $1,161 | 82 | $1,494 |
| 64 | $1,229 | 83 | $1,459 |
| 65 | $1,321 | 84 | $1,426 |
| 66 | $1,489 | 85 | $1,415 |
| 67 | $1,504 | 86 | $1,415 |
| 68 | $1,522 | 87 | $1,431 |
| 69 | $1,522 | 88 | $1,435 |
| 70 | $1,612 | 89 | $1,430 |
| 71 | $1,627 | 90 | $1,430 |
| 72 | $1,615 | 91 | $1,435 |
| 73 | $1,618 | 92 | $1,444 |
| 74 | $1,592 | 93 | $1,442 |
| 75 | $1,576 | 94 | $1,435 |
| 76 | $1,568 | 95 | $1,435 |
| 77 | $1,574 | 96 | $1,415 |
| 78 | $1,570 | 97 | $1,409 |
| 79 | $1,563 | 98 | $1,399 |
| 80 | $1,536 | 99 and over | $1,422 |
What is the maximum monthly Social Security benefit?
Here is the maximum Social Security monthly benefit for 2022 by retirement age:
Average Benefits at age:
62: $2,364
65: $2,993
66: $3,240
70: $4,194
2022 Social Security FAQS
Here are the most frequently asked questions about Social Security Benefits in 2022:
What is the Full Retirement Age for 2022?
The table below shows the full retirement age based on the year you were born:
| Age to receive full Social Security benefits | |
| Year of birth | Full retirement age |
| 1943-1954 | 66 |
| 1955 | 66 and 2 months |
| 1956 | 66 and 4 months |
| 1957 | 66 and 6 months |
| 1958 | 66 and 8 months |
| 1959 | 66 and 10 months |
| 1960 and later | 67 |
NOTE: People born on January 1 of any year, refer to the previous year.
How much Social Security will I get if I only worked 10 years?
You need at least 10 years of work (40 credits) to qualify for Social Security retirement benefits.
The Social Security Administration will calculate how much you will get in benefits based on your highest 35 years of earnings.
However, If you do not have 35 years of earnings by the time you apply for Social Security, your benefit amount will be lower than it would be if you worked 35 years.
In an example provided by AARP, a single person born in 1960 who has averaged a $50,000 salary, would get $1,349 a month by retiring at 62.
However, the same person would get $1,927 by waiting until age 67, the full retirement age.
Furthermore, he or she would get $2,389, the maximum benefit on those earnings, by waiting until age 70.
As mentioned earlier above, Social Security benefits do not increase if you wait to collect past age 70.
How is Social Security COLA Calculated?
The Social Security Act specifies a formula for determining each COLA.
According to the formula, COLAs are based on increases in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W).
CPI-Ws are calculated on a monthly basis by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The Social Security Administration uses average inflation in the third quarter, based on the CPI-W, to calculate the benefit adjustment for the following year.
The first COLA was announced in June 1975.
Since then, the Social Security Administration has been announcing annual adjustments to Social Security benefits based on increases in the cost of living, as measured by the Consumer Price Index.
Here are the COLA rates for the last 20 years:
As you can see, the COLA announced for 2021 was 5.9% and that went into effect in January 2022.
| Year | COLA | Year | COLA |
| 2021 | 5.90% | 2011 | 3.60% |
| 2020 | 1.30% | 2010 | 0% |
| 2019 | 1.60% | 2009 | 0% |
| 2018 | 2.80% | 2008 | 5.80% |
| 2017 | 2.00% | 2007 | 2.30% |
| 2016 | 0.30% | 2006 | 3.30% |
| 2015 | 0% | 2005 | 4.10% |
| 2014 | 1.70% | 2004 | 2.70% |
| 2013 | 1.50% | 2003 | 2.10% |
| 2012 | 1.70% | 2002 | 1.40% |
Average Social Security Check Summary
We hope this post on the Average Social Security Check was helpful.
Questions?
If you still have questions, you should leave a comment below.
However, what may be an even greater help is to join our FREE Facebook members group about Making Sense of Social Security Benefits.
It’s a very active group with some really smart people who love to answer any questions you may have about Social Security Benefits.
Also, from time to time, our team of editors drop in to contribute and answer questions.
Finally, be sure to check out our other articles about Social Security and Disability Benefits, including:
- Can I get a loan with my Direct Express card?
- Social Security Income Limit for 2022
- Social Security Changes in 2022
- 2022 Minimum Social Security Benefit
- What is the maximum Social Security benefit at age 62?
- COLA Increase for the Coming Year
- Social Security Office Near Me
- How Social Security is Calculated
- Direct Deposit for Social Security Benefits
