Average Social Security Check at Age 78
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
- $2,157.38
- beneficiaries age 78
- 2,208,042
- average for men
- $2,370.93
- average for women
- $1,953.54
Social Security retirement beneficiaries who are 78 years old receive an average of $2,157.38 per month, as of June 2026, paid to 2,208,042 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 $2,262.52 a month. It is a projection, not an official number, and it is flagged in the table below.
Average check at age 78 by year
| Year | Average check | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2027estimated | ~$2,262.52 | +$105.14 |
| 2026 | $2,157.38 | +$17.22 |
| 2025 | $2,140.16 | +$79.38 |
| 2024 | $2,060.78 | +$111.34 |
| 2023 | $1,949.44 | +$80.65 |
| 2022 | $1,868.79 | +$165.00 |
| 2021 | $1,703.79 | +$106.01 |
| 2020 | $1,597.78 | +$31.78 |
| 2019 | $1,566.00 | +$51.93 |
| 2018 | $1,514.07 | +$80.37 |
| 2017 | $1,433.70 | +$52.77 |
| 2016 | $1,380.93 | +$35.94 |
| 2015 | $1,344.99 | +$52.56 |
| 2014 | $1,292.43 | +$51.18 |
| 2013 | $1,241.25 | - |
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 78
At age 78, men receive about $2,370.93 per month and women about $1,953.54, a difference of $417.39 (18%), mostly reflecting differences in lifetime earnings and claiming age.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the average Social Security check at age 78?
- As of June 2026, the average monthly Social Security retirement benefit for beneficiaries age 78 is $2,157.38, based on 2,208,042 beneficiaries (SSA data).
- Do men or women get more at age 78?
- At age 78, men receive about $2,370.93 per month on average and women about $1,953.54, a gap of $417.39 (18%), largely reflecting lifetime earnings differences.
- Is age 78 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.