How Much the Average Upper Class Retiree Receives in Social Security Benefits at Age 81
Written by
Jake Safane
Edited by
Angela Corry
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Social Security plays a critical role in the retirement security of many Americans. But even for those in the upper class, benefit amounts aren’t necessarily substantial.
On average, retired workers in the 90th percentile of monthly Social Security benefits receive $3,050 vs. $1,937 for the median retired worker, according to 2024 data.
For some, that might be close to enough, especially if you combine checks with a partner receiving a similar amount. Only 3% of retirees spend $7,000+ per month, according to an Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) survey.
But for others, Social Security might need to be significantly supplemented with other retirement income sources, depending on your specific benefits and lifestyle.
Here, we’ll take a closer look at what Social Security benefits might be for an upper-class retiree at age 81.
Calculating Social Security Benefits at Age 81
While the Social Security Administration (SSA) does not specify upper-class benefits at age 81, we can approximate this number by looking at different SSA datasets.
For one, 80-89-year-olds in the 90th percentile of Social Security benefits receive $2,849 per month vs. a median benefit of $1,939 for this age group. That means those at the 90th percentile in this age group are receiving 46.9% more than the median.
Note that these averages do include some other types of Social Security benefits, like spousal benefits, but they likely reflect primarily retirement benefits, considering the averages are close to the data for retired workers across regardless of age.
Separate SSA data on average retired worker benefit for each year of age reveals that an 81-year-old gets about $2,004 per month. So, applying the same 46.9% benefit increase means upper-class 81-year-olds receive roughly $2,944 per month in Social Security Benefits.
Granted, the average may be a bit higher in the coming years, given cost-of-living adjustments and the fact that younger workers (eventually turning age 81) generally have had higher incomes during their careers.
Maximizing Your Retirement Income
If you don’t think you’ll receive this much in Social Security benefits, or you want to try to receive more, consider factors such as the age you claim benefits.
A 2025 Schroders survey found that 44% plan to file for Social Security benefits before age 67, which is the full retirement age for those born in 1960 or later. Claiming earlier reduces your benefit. Also, only 10% plan on waiting to claim until age 70.
Waiting until age 70 to claim maximizes your Social Security check, but you still have to weigh whether you’d prefer receiving some Social Security income before age 70.
“The average person should be looking at all their income sources to determine when it is best to claim Social Security. There is no one-size-fits-all answer,” said John Adams, a CPA and owner of Bridgewater Tax and Financial Consulting.
Also, consider other retirement income sources beyond Social Security. The way you save, invest, and plan to withdraw from your retirement accounts can make a big difference in whether your Social Security check feels like a nice bonus vs. a necessity.
“Working with a financial professional can help you determine your optimum withdrawal strategy. The goal is to maintain a steady income stream during retirement that provides for the lifestyle that you can maintain,” added Adams.
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