Average Social Security Check at Age 74
Updated June 2026 · Source: Social Security Administration
SSA publishes these figures twice a year, in June and December. The December 2026 snapshot will appear here automatically once SSA releases it.
- average monthly check
- $2,200.54
- beneficiaries age 74
- 2,714,118
- average for men
- $2,425.96
- average for women
- $1,981.63
Social Security retirement beneficiaries who are 74 years old receive an average of $2,200.54 per month, as of June 2026, paid to 2,714,118 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 2027 figures yet. Based on how the average at this age has changed over the last 5 years, our estimate for 2027 is around $2,306.71 a month. It is a projection, not an official number, and it is flagged in the table below.
Average check at age 74 by year
| Year | Average check | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2027estimated | ~$2,306.71 | +$106.17 |
| 2026 | $2,200.54 | +$21.67 |
| 2025 | $2,178.87 | +$124.71 |
| 2024 | $2,054.16 | +$53.71 |
| 2023 | $2,000.45 | +$62.98 |
| 2022 | $1,937.47 | +$193.94 |
| 2021 | $1,743.53 | +$97.86 |
| 2020 | $1,645.67 | +$72.15 |
| 2019 | $1,573.52 | +$41.72 |
| 2018 | $1,531.80 | +$54.12 |
| 2017 | $1,477.68 | +$36.51 |
| 2016 | $1,441.17 | +$11.55 |
| 2015 | $1,429.62 | +$24.59 |
| 2014 | $1,405.03 | +$60.49 |
| 2013 | $1,344.54 | - |
Annual increases largely track Social Security's cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). The 2027 row marked “estimated” is our projection, not SSA data: it applies this age group's average change over the last 5 years to the June 2026 figure. SSA's actual 2027 numbers will replace it once published.
Men vs. women at age 74
At age 74, men receive about $2,425.96 per month and women about $1,981.63, a difference of $444.33 (18%), mostly reflecting differences in lifetime earnings and claiming age.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the average Social Security check at age 74?
- As of June 2026, the average monthly Social Security retirement benefit for beneficiaries age 74 is $2,200.54, based on 2,714,118 beneficiaries (SSA data).
- Do men or women get more at age 74?
- At age 74, men receive about $2,425.96 per month on average and women about $1,981.63, a gap of $444.33 (18%), largely reflecting lifetime earnings differences.
- Is age 74 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.