Average Social Security Check at Age 74
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
- $2,178.87
- beneficiaries age 74
- 2,686,143
- average for men
- $2,401.64
- average for women
- $1,962.42
Social Security retirement beneficiaries who are 74 years old receive an average of $2,178.87 per month, as of December 2025, paid to 2,686,143 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 $2,305.58 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026estimated | ~$2,305.58 | +$126.71 |
| 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 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 74
At age 74, men receive about $2,401.64 per month and women about $1,962.42, a difference of $439.22 (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 December 2025, the average monthly Social Security retirement benefit for beneficiaries age 74 is $2,178.87, based on 2,686,143 beneficiaries (SSA data).
- Do men or women get more at age 74?
- At age 74, men receive about $2,401.64 per month on average and women about $1,962.42, a gap of $439.22 (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.