Average Social Security Check at Age 71
Updated December 2025 · Source: Social Security Administration
SSA publishes these figures twice a year, in June and December. The June 2026 snapshot will appear here automatically once SSA releases it.
- average monthly check
- $2,247.76
- beneficiaries age 71
- 3,161,593
- average for men
- $2,494.57
- average for women
- $2,006.83
Social Security retirement beneficiaries who are 71 years old receive an average of $2,247.76 per month, as of December 2025, paid to 3,161,593 people at this age. By this age most people claimed years earlier; amounts reflect past claiming decisions plus annual cost-of-living adjustments.
SSA has not published 2026 figures yet. Based on how the average at this age has changed over the last 5 years, our estimate for 2026 is around $2,392.25 a month. It is a projection, not an official number, and it is flagged in the table below.
Average check at age 71 by year
| Year | Average check | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2026estimated | ~$2,392.25 | +$144.49 |
| 2025 | $2,247.76 | +$133.33 |
| 2024 | $2,114.43 | +$63.76 |
| 2023 | $2,050.67 | +$104.33 |
| 2022 | $1,946.34 | +$196.77 |
| 2021 | $1,749.57 | +$100.89 |
| 2020 | $1,648.68 | +$21.80 |
| 2019 | $1,626.88 | +$60.17 |
| 2018 | $1,566.71 | +$41.16 |
| 2017 | $1,525.55 | +$75.97 |
| 2016 | $1,449.58 | +$20.47 |
| 2015 | $1,429.11 | +$12.23 |
| 2014 | $1,416.88 | +$29.98 |
| 2013 | $1,386.90 | - |
Annual increases largely track Social Security's cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). The 2026 row marked “estimated” is our projection, not SSA data: it applies this age group's average change over the last 5 years to the December 2025 figure. SSA's actual 2026 numbers will replace it once published.
Men vs. women at age 71
At age 71, men receive about $2,494.57 per month and women about $2,006.83, a difference of $487.74 (20%), mostly reflecting differences in lifetime earnings and claiming age.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the average Social Security check at age 71?
- As of December 2025, the average monthly Social Security retirement benefit for beneficiaries age 71 is $2,247.76, based on 3,161,593 beneficiaries (SSA data).
- Do men or women get more at age 71?
- At age 71, men receive about $2,494.57 per month on average and women about $2,006.83, a gap of $487.74 (20%), largely reflecting lifetime earnings differences.
- Is age 71 a good time to claim Social Security?
- By this age most people claimed years earlier; amounts reflect past claiming decisions plus annual cost-of-living adjustments.