Average Social Security Check at Age 96
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
- $1,893.77
- beneficiaries age 96
- 100,506
- average for men
- $1,972.04
- average for women
- $1,847.93
Social Security retirement beneficiaries who are 96 years old receive an average of $1,893.77 per month, as of June 2026, paid to 100,506 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 $1,969.39 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2027estimated | ~$1,969.39 | +$75.62 |
| 2026 | $1,893.77 | +$4.69 |
| 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 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 96
At age 96, men receive about $1,972.04 per month and women about $1,847.93, a difference of $124.11 (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 June 2026, the average monthly Social Security retirement benefit for beneficiaries age 96 is $1,893.77, based on 100,506 beneficiaries (SSA data).
- Do men or women get more at age 96?
- At age 96, men receive about $1,972.04 per month on average and women about $1,847.93, a gap of $124.11 (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.