What Does the Average Retiree Really Get From Social Security?
The Motley Fool
by newsfeedback@fool.com (Christy Bieber)February 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
For many retirees, Social Security plays a critical role in covering expenses, but its benefits often fall short of expectations. While it provides essential income support, it’s unlikely to be the sole solution for retirement financial needs. Understanding how much you can realistically expect from Social Security is crucial for planning a secure retirement.
The program calculates benefits based on an individual's earnings history and the age at which they begin receiving payments. Higher earners generally receive larger checks, but these amounts are capped. For example, in 2023, the maximum monthly benefit for someone who reaches full retirement age is around $3,585. However, the average payout is significantly lower, around $1,764 per month, reflecting that most retirees rely on additional income sources like savings, pensions, or part-time work.
This matters because many people overestimate Social Security’s role in their financial plan. Relying solely on these benefits can lead to unexpected shortfalls, especially with rising living costs. Retirees must consider strategies like delaying claiming age to increase monthly payments or supplementing with other income sources to ensure long-term financial stability.
For those interested in finance and retirement planning, understanding Social Security’s limitations is key to building a realistic and diversified approach to retirement income. It underscores the importance of saving independently and having multiple streams of income to meet expenses, ensuring retirees can maintain their desired lifestyle without overreliance on any single source of support.
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Originally published on The Motley Fool on 2/19/2026