Average Social Security Check at Age 73
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
- $2,207.96
- beneficiaries age 73
- 2,848,436
- average for men
- $2,437.40
- average for women
- $1,983.67
Social Security retirement beneficiaries who are 73 years old receive an average of $2,207.96 per month, as of December 2025, paid to 2,848,436 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 $2,345.34 a month. It is a projection, not an official number, and it is flagged in the table below.
Average check at age 73 by year
| Year | Average check | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2026estimated | ~$2,345.34 | +$137.38 |
| 2025 | $2,207.96 | +$120.02 |
| 2024 | $2,087.94 | +$97.51 |
| 2023 | $1,990.43 | +$64.67 |
| 2022 | $1,925.76 | +$154.97 |
| 2021 | $1,770.79 | +$136.52 |
| 2020 | $1,634.27 | +$21.15 |
| 2019 | $1,613.12 | +$74.02 |
| 2018 | $1,539.10 | +$58.36 |
| 2017 | $1,480.74 | +$41.05 |
| 2016 | $1,439.69 | +$11.69 |
| 2015 | $1,428.00 | +$6.96 |
| 2014 | $1,421.04 | +$47.38 |
| 2013 | $1,373.66 | - |
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 73
At age 73, men receive about $2,437.40 per month and women about $1,983.67, a difference of $453.73 (19%), mostly reflecting differences in lifetime earnings and claiming age.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the average Social Security check at age 73?
- As of December 2025, the average monthly Social Security retirement benefit for beneficiaries age 73 is $2,207.96, based on 2,848,436 beneficiaries (SSA data).
- Do men or women get more at age 73?
- At age 73, men receive about $2,437.40 per month on average and women about $1,983.67, a gap of $453.73 (19%), largely reflecting lifetime earnings differences.
- Is age 73 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.