How Long Could the Average Retiree Live on Social Security Alone in 2026?
Written by
Travis Woods
Edited by
Levi Leidy
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Retirement planning requires the tracking and balancing of a number of income streams, including Social Security, 401(k)s, savings, stocks, bonds and various other investment accounts, all to create a balanced and secure retirement budget that can last a minimum of 20 to 30 years.
That said, not everyone has the financial foresight or resources to build a variety of retirement revenues, and that begs the question — just how long could the average retiree live on Social Security alone in 2026?
Here’s What Social Security Pays in 2026
Per the Social Security Administration (SSA), the average monthly Social Security benefit allotment for retired workers will be approximately $2,071. That means the average retiree will receive approximately $24,850 in Social Security benefits (before taxes) throughout 2026. Do keep in mind that these numbers are average estimates, with some retirees receiving far more, and others far less.
What Retirement Costs in 2026
Social Security benefits aren’t designed to cover a retiree’s entire annual expenses, only to supplement their nest egg or income. This is why having adequate savings, pension income or other income sources is so crucial to retirement planning — the national average annual spending for those aged 65 and up is approximately $62,000 annually, much higher than what most receive in Social Security.
How Long Could the Average Retiree Live on Social Security Alone in 2026?
Given that the average annual Social Security income ($24,850) is roughly only 40% of the typical living expenses of a retiree in 2026 ($62,000), a retiree would not last long at all with no other source of income.
Here’s a more specific breakdown: Annual living expenses of $62,2000 break down to $5,167 monthly, or $1,292 per week. With monthly Social Security benefits only, a retiree would last approximately 11 days into their first month of Social Security income only — $2,071 wouldn’t even stretch to the $2,584 needed to cover the first two weeks. A retiree receiving only the average Social Security benefits, with the average yearly expenses, would have to significantly curtail their spending and lifestyle to even begin considering living on benefits only.
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