Average Social Security Check at Age 96
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
- $1,889.08
- beneficiaries age 96
- 98,412
- average for men
- $1,968.11
- average for women
- $1,843.57
Social Security retirement beneficiaries who are 96 years old receive an average of $1,889.08 per month, as of December 2025, paid to 98,412 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 $1,993.68 a month. It is a projection, not an official number, and it is flagged in the table below.
Average check at age 96 by year
| Year | Average check | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2026estimated | ~$1,993.68 | +$104.60 |
| 2025 | $1,889.08 | +$67.81 |
| 2024 | $1,821.27 | +$48.03 |
| 2023 | $1,773.24 | +$81.70 |
| 2022 | $1,691.54 | +$131.86 |
| 2021 | $1,559.68 | +$115.12 |
| 2020 | $1,444.56 | +$38.92 |
| 2019 | $1,405.64 | +$29.09 |
| 2018 | $1,376.55 | +$44.68 |
| 2017 | $1,331.87 | +$34.00 |
| 2016 | $1,297.87 | −$9.05 |
| 2015 | $1,306.92 | −$38.84 |
| 2014 | $1,345.76 | +$4.64 |
| 2013 | $1,341.12 | - |
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 96
At age 96, men receive about $1,968.11 per month and women about $1,843.57, a difference of $124.54 (6%), mostly reflecting differences in lifetime earnings and claiming age.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the average Social Security check at age 96?
- As of December 2025, the average monthly Social Security retirement benefit for beneficiaries age 96 is $1,889.08, based on 98,412 beneficiaries (SSA data).
- Do men or women get more at age 96?
- At age 96, men receive about $1,968.11 per month on average and women about $1,843.57, a gap of $124.54 (6%), largely reflecting lifetime earnings differences.
- Is age 96 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.