Average Social Security Check at Age 87
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
- $2,015.54
- beneficiaries age 87
- 709,054
- average for men
- $2,180.24
- average for women
- $1,875.35
Social Security retirement beneficiaries who are 87 years old receive an average of $2,015.54 per month, as of December 2025, paid to 709,054 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 $2,154.57 a month. It is a projection, not an official number, and it is flagged in the table below.
Average check at age 87 by year
| Year | Average check | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2026estimated | ~$2,154.57 | +$139.03 |
| 2025 | $2,015.54 | +$122.41 |
| 2024 | $1,893.13 | +$113.55 |
| 2023 | $1,779.58 | +$91.98 |
| 2022 | $1,687.60 | +$150.11 |
| 2021 | $1,537.49 | +$92.86 |
| 2020 | $1,444.63 | +$10.31 |
| 2019 | $1,434.32 | +$43.52 |
| 2018 | $1,390.80 | +$49.14 |
| 2017 | $1,341.66 | +$35.78 |
| 2016 | $1,305.88 | −$0.06 |
| 2015 | $1,305.94 | +$0.51 |
| 2014 | $1,305.43 | +$42.36 |
| 2013 | $1,263.07 | - |
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 87
At age 87, men receive about $2,180.24 per month and women about $1,875.35, a difference of $304.89 (14%), mostly reflecting differences in lifetime earnings and claiming age.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the average Social Security check at age 87?
- As of December 2025, the average monthly Social Security retirement benefit for beneficiaries age 87 is $2,015.54, based on 709,054 beneficiaries (SSA data).
- Do men or women get more at age 87?
- At age 87, men receive about $2,180.24 per month on average and women about $1,875.35, a gap of $304.89 (14%), largely reflecting lifetime earnings differences.
- Is age 87 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.