Average Social Security Check at Age 98
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
- $1,887.57
- beneficiaries age 98
- 51,651
- average for men
- $1,995.70
- average for women
- $1,835.23
Social Security retirement beneficiaries who are 98 years old receive an average of $1,887.57 per month, as of December 2025, paid to 51,651 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 $1,996.22 a month. It is a projection, not an official number, and it is flagged in the table below.
Average check at age 98 by year
| Year | Average check | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2026estimated | ~$1,996.22 | +$108.65 |
| 2025 | $1,887.57 | +$88.84 |
| 2024 | $1,798.73 | +$37.33 |
| 2023 | $1,761.40 | +$84.81 |
| 2022 | $1,676.59 | +$157.90 |
| 2021 | $1,518.69 | +$89.55 |
| 2020 | $1,429.14 | +$29.40 |
| 2019 | $1,399.74 | +$29.32 |
| 2018 | $1,370.42 | +$24.11 |
| 2017 | $1,346.31 | −$12.79 |
| 2016 | $1,359.10 | −$12.25 |
| 2015 | $1,371.35 | −$71.57 |
| 2014 | $1,442.92 | +$60.07 |
| 2013 | $1,382.85 | - |
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 98
At age 98, men receive about $1,995.70 per month and women about $1,835.23, a difference of $160.47 (8%), mostly reflecting differences in lifetime earnings and claiming age.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the average Social Security check at age 98?
- As of December 2025, the average monthly Social Security retirement benefit for beneficiaries age 98 is $1,887.57, based on 51,651 beneficiaries (SSA data).
- Do men or women get more at age 98?
- At age 98, men receive about $1,995.70 per month on average and women about $1,835.23, a gap of $160.47 (8%), largely reflecting lifetime earnings differences.
- Is age 98 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.