The Average Monthly Social Security Check: July 2026

The average monthly Social Security check amount might surprise you. Here's a look at July's numbers and why they matter.

Donna LeValley's avatar
By Edited by
Last updated In Features
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Want to get a good sense of how much income you're likely to get from Social Security in the future and whether you're saving enough? Consider the average monthly Social Security benefit.

With Social Security benefits an essential component of retirement income, it pays to know how much you're likely to get when you retire. There are tools to help you estimate your future income, and comparing yourself with others can help you determine whether you're in good shape or need to make changes.

The average Social Security monthly check for retired workers reached $2,085.98 in July 2026 — an increase of $1.58 from the previous month’s average of $2,084.40 — according to the Social Security Administration's July Monthly Statistical Snapshot.

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If you're interested in learning more about the breakdown of Social Security payments, read: The Average Social Security Check by Age and The Average Social Security Check in Every State to see how payments vary compared with your benefits.

Also, read: Latest Inflation Data Drives Down 2027 Social Security COLA Forecast to get an early start on next year's budget.

Average Social Security check for July 2026

Social Security is a critical part of retirement income. While there are minimum and maximum benefits, your monthly check depends on several factors.

The Social Security check you receive monthly reflects your lifetime earnings, the age at which you start claiming benefits, whether the benefits are based on your or your spouse's work history and the number of years you worked. The SSA uses a formula to calculate benefits based on your 35 highest-earning years.

The spousal benefits you can collect are smaller than if you'd filed based on your work history. The spousal benefit is typically calculated as a percentage of your spouse's benefit, ranging from 32.5% to 50%, depending on the age at which you make your claim. Spousal benefits are capped at 50% of your spouse’s benefit at full retirement age (FRA) and can't be topped up with delayed retirement credits.

The complexity of benefit calculations makes it tough to estimate what your Social Security payments might be when you decide to apply. Still, you can produce a reasonable estimate.

Standing Desktop calendar for July 2026, standard format with a green header and metal spiral binding, the week starting on Sunday, 3d render.

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Let's look at the average July check received by all retirement beneficiaries, broken down by retired workers and the spouses and children of retired workers.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Average retiree Social Security benefit, July 2026

Type of beneficiary

Number of beneficiaries

Average monthly benefit 

All retirement beneficiaries

57.61 million

$2,031.74 (up $1.82)

Retired workers

54.785 million

$2,085.98 (up $1.58)

Spouses of retired workers

2.094 million

$986.53 (up 18 cents)

Children of retired workers

731,000

$960.35 (up 5 cents)
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Average retiree Social Security benefit, July 2025 to June 2026

Type of beneficiary

Number of beneficiaries

Average monthly benefit 

For June 2026:

 Row 0 - Cell 1 Row 0 - Cell 2

All retirement beneficiaries

57.45 million

$2,029.92 (up $1.92)

Retired workers

54.62 million

$2,084.40 (up $1.64)

Spouses of retired workers

2.092 million

$986.35 (up 16 cents)

Children of retired workers

741,000

$960.30 (down 10 cents)

For May 2026:

 Row 5 - Cell 1 Row 5 - Cell 2

All retirement beneficiaries

57.32 million

$2,028 (up $1.59)

Retired workers

54.48 million

$2,082.76 (up $1.60)

Spouses of retired workers

2.091 million

$986.19 (up 20 cents)

Children of retired workers

754,000

$960.40 (up 84 cents)

For April 2026:

 Row 10 - Cell 1 Row 10 - Cell 2

All retirement beneficiaries

57.14 million

$2,026.41 (up $1.64)

Retired workers

54.3 million

$2,081.16 (up $1.67)

Spouses of retired workers

2.088 million

$985.99 (up 19 cents)

Children of retired workers

751,000

$959.56 (up 92 cents)

For March 2026:

 Row 15 - Cell 1 Row 15 - Cell 2

All retirement beneficiaries

56.98 million

$2,024.77 (up $3)

Retired workers

54.15 million

$2,079.49 (up $3.38)

Spouses of retired workers

2.085 million

$985.80 (up 71 cents)

Children of retired workers

747,000

$958.64 (up $1.51)

For February 2026:

 Row 20 - Cell 1 Row 20 - Cell 2

All retirement beneficiaries

56.8 million

$2,021.77 (up $1.85)

Retired workers

53.997 million

$2,076.41 (up $1.88)

Spouses of retired workers

2.08 million

$985.09 (up 38 cents)

Children of retired workers

743,000

$957.13 (up 76 cents)

For January 2026:

 Row 25 - Cell 1 Row 25 - Cell 2

All retirement beneficiaries

56.67 million

$2,019.92 (up $3.28)

Retired workers

53.85 million

$2,074.53 (up $3.23)

Spouses of retired workers

2.08 million

$984.71 (up $1)

Children of retired workers

738,000

$956.37 (up $1.61)

For December 2025:

 Row 30 - Cell 1 Row 30 - Cell 2

All retirement beneficiaries

56.44 million

$2,016.64 (up $56.46)

Retired workers

53.625 million

$2,071.30 (up $57.98)

Spouses of retired workers

2.082 million

$983.71 (up $27.17)

Children of retired workers

735,000

$954.76 (up $26.57)

For November 2025:

 Row 35 - Cell 1 Row 35 - Cell 2

All retirement beneficiaries

56.368 million

$1,960.18 (up 96 cents)

Retired workers

53.553 million

$2,013.32 (up $1.02)

Spouses of retired workers

2.083 million

$956.54 (up 22 cents)

Children of retired workers

732,000

$928.19 (up 32 cents)

For October 2025:

 Row 40 - Cell 1 Row 40 - Cell 2

All retirement beneficiaries

56.265 million

$1,959.22 (up $2.67)

Retired workers

53.465 million

$2,009.50 (up $2.08)

Spouses of retired workers

2.081 million

$956.32 (up $1.14)

Children of retired workers

728,000

$927.81 (up $2.17)

For September 2025:

 Row 45 - Cell 1 Row 45 - Cell 2

All retirement beneficiaries

56.2 million

$1,956.55 (up $1.07)

Retired workers

53.4 million

$2,009.50 (up $1.19)

Spouses of retired workers

2.077 million

$955.18 (up 25 cents)

Children of retired workers

726,000

$925.64 (up 69 cents)

For August 2025:

 Row 50 - Cell 1 Row 50 - Cell 2

All Retirement beneficiaries

56.1 million

$1,955.48 (up $1.52)

Retired workers

53.3 million

$2,008.31 (up $1.62)

Spouses of retired workers

2.07 million

$954.93 (up 74 cents)

Children of retired workers

723,000

$924.95 (up 48 cents)

For July 2025:

 Row 55 - Cell 1 Row 55 - Cell 2

All retirement beneficiaries

56 million

1,953.96 (up $1.73)

Retired workers

53.2 million

$2,006.69 (up $1.64)

Spouses of retired workers

2.06 million

$954.19 (up 86 cents)

Children of retired workers

720,000

$924.47 (down 40 cents)

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What is the maximum Social Security benefit in 2026?

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Collecting the maximum benefit is similar to getting the gas mileage you see on the showroom sticker — it's a reflection of perfect conditions. To get the maximum benefit: Work at least 35 years; earn the maximum taxable amount; wait to apply for benefits until age 70.

Don't be discouraged if your estimated benefit is lower, as most people aren't collecting anything close to the maximum. Comparing the maximum amount available in 2026 with the average check for June 2026 illustrates that reality.

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Maximum benefit in 2026

Retirement age

Maximum monthly benefit

62

$2,969

66 years and 10 months 

$4,152

70

$5,181

Social Security is just one slice of the retirement pie

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Social Security benefits are far more modest than many people realize. The system was designed to replace around 40% of your pre-retirement earnings. Social Security benefits are just one part of a retirement plan. You should try to supplement your benefits with a 401(k), IRA or other investments.

To get an idea of how your full retirement portfolio compares to other savers, read:

If you're concerned about having enough savings for your golden years, consider working with a financial adviser or registered Social Security analyst for retirement planning.

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Donna LeValley
Donna LeValley
Retirement Writer

Donna joined Kiplinger as a personal finance writer in 2023. She spent more than a decade as the contributing editor of J.K.Lasser's Your Income Tax Guide and edited state specific legal treatises at ALM Media. She has shared her expertise as a guest on Bloomberg, CNN, Fox, NPR, CNBC and many other media outlets around the nation. She is a graduate of Brooklyn Law School and the University at Buffalo.