Average Social Security Check at Age 97
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
- $1,891.48
- beneficiaries age 97
- 71,252
- average for men
- $1,974.01
- average for women
- $1,847.64
Social Security retirement beneficiaries who are 97 years old receive an average of $1,891.48 per month, as of June 2026, paid to 71,252 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 $1,972.65 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2027estimated | ~$1,972.65 | +$81.17 |
| 2026 | $1,891.48 | +$0.27 |
| 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 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 97
At age 97, men receive about $1,974.01 per month and women about $1,847.64, a difference of $126.37 (6%), mostly reflecting differences in lifetime earnings and claiming age.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the average Social Security check at age 97?
- As of June 2026, the average monthly Social Security retirement benefit for beneficiaries age 97 is $1,891.48, based on 71,252 beneficiaries (SSA data).
- Do men or women get more at age 97?
- At age 97, men receive about $1,974.01 per month on average and women about $1,847.64, a gap of $126.37 (6%), 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.