Average Social Security Check at Age 97
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
- $1,891.21
- beneficiaries age 97
- 72,256
- average for men
- $1,986.52
- average for women
- $1,841.50
Social Security retirement beneficiaries who are 97 years old receive an average of $1,891.21 per month, as of December 2025, paid to 72,256 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 $2,000.38 a month. It is a projection, not an official number, and it is flagged in the table below.
Average check at age 97 by year
| Year | Average check | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2026estimated | ~$2,000.38 | +$109.17 |
| 2025 | $1,891.21 | +$69.12 |
| 2024 | $1,822.09 | +$68.73 |
| 2023 | $1,753.36 | +$50.25 |
| 2022 | $1,703.11 | +$165.71 |
| 2021 | $1,537.40 | +$106.21 |
| 2020 | $1,431.19 | +$26.98 |
| 2019 | $1,404.21 | +$28.43 |
| 2018 | $1,375.78 | +$45.92 |
| 2017 | $1,329.86 | +$14.79 |
| 2016 | $1,315.07 | −$35.54 |
| 2015 | $1,350.61 | −$16.30 |
| 2014 | $1,366.91 | −$47.76 |
| 2013 | $1,414.67 | - |
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 97
At age 97, men receive about $1,986.52 per month and women about $1,841.50, a difference of $145.02 (7%), mostly reflecting differences in lifetime earnings and claiming age.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the average Social Security check at age 97?
- As of December 2025, the average monthly Social Security retirement benefit for beneficiaries age 97 is $1,891.21, based on 72,256 beneficiaries (SSA data).
- Do men or women get more at age 97?
- At age 97, men receive about $1,986.52 per month on average and women about $1,841.50, a gap of $145.02 (7%), largely reflecting lifetime earnings differences.
- Is age 97 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.