1. Home
  2. More
  3. The Average Payment for 9 Types of Social Security Recipients
  • Sign up
  • Sign in
Money Talks News
  • Popular
  • Latest
    • Ask Stacy
    • Make
    • Save
    • Borrow
    • Grow
    • Live
    • More
  • Deals
    • Automotive
    • Clothing & Accessories
    • Computers
    • Electronics
    • Everything Else
    • Financial Services
    • Gaming & Toys
    • Health & Beauty
    • Home & Garden
    • Movies, Music & Books
    • Office & Supplies
    • Special Occasion
    • Sports & Fitness
    • Store Events
    • Travel & Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Solutions
  • Academy
  • Subscribe to our newsletter
  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Search our site
11 Secret Ways Americans Build Wealth11 Secret Ways Americans Build Wealth
Senior woman with money12 Things Seniors Can Get Free Right Now
Seniors holding hands in pool4 Simple Steps for a More Comfortable Retirement
5 Dumb Retirement Mistakes Everyone Makes5 Dumb Retirement Mistakes Everyone Makes

The Average Payment for 9 Types of Social Security Recipients

Who receives what? Have a look at Social Security statistics.

Advertising Disclosure: When you buy something by clicking links on our site, we may earn a small commission, but it never affects the products or services we recommend.

Brandon Ballenger • August 4, 2023

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share by Email Printable version available to members PDF version available to members
Surprised and angry senior
Budimir Jevtic / Shutterstock.com

Have you ever wondered what the “normal” Social Security benefit amount might be?

How much you made in your 35 highest-earning years, the age at which you retire and your spouse’s work history are major factors in calculating your retirement benefit, as we explain in “7 Social Security Rules Everyone Should Know by Now.”

That means your benefit amount, of course, is a very personalized number. But the Social Security Administration publishes data on average benefits for different groups. Following is a look at Social Security benefits as of July 2023.

Retired workers

Retiree outside his house in sunny weather
Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock.com

Number of beneficiaries: 49.4 million (74% of all Social Security beneficiaries)

Average monthly benefit: $1,837

The broadest category is of course people retired from work. They currently make up roughly three-quarters of all beneficiaries, and they receive the highest average benefit amount.

Spouses of retirees

Retired couple
Rido / Shutterstock.com

Number of beneficiaries: 1.96 million (2.9% of all Social Security beneficiaries)

Average monthly benefit: $893

These folks are receiving “spousal benefits,” which provide them with up to half of a husband or wife’s monthly benefit amount regardless of how much they’ve worked themselves.

Spouses can take whichever benefit is higher between their own or the spousal benefit amount — but not both — starting as early as age 62. Even divorced individuals, if they meet certain criteria, can receive this benefit.

Children of retired workers

Grandfather giving a gift to his surprised grandchild
WeAre / Shutterstock.com

Number of beneficiaries: 685,000 (1% of all Social Security beneficiaries)

Average monthly benefit: $860

Fewer than 1 million people currently receive this type of benefit — which is available to children of living retirees — in part because of the age restrictions. A child can receive up to 50% of the parent’s full benefits.

There are three groups that qualify as child beneficiaries:

  • Minor children (under age 18)
  • High school students up to age 19 years and 2 months
  • Adults with a disability that began before age 22

The last group, disabled adult children, can be age 18 or older — the key is when their disability began.

Children of deceased workers

Retired senior couple running on the beach with grandkids
Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock.com

Number of beneficiaries: 2 million (3% of all Social Security beneficiaries)

Average monthly benefit: $1,069

This group encompasses the same three child beneficiary groups as children of retired workers.

  • Minor children (under age 18)
  • High school students up to age 19 years and 2 months
  • Adults disabled before the age of 22

The difference is that their benefits are based on the Social Security record of a parent who has died, and they can receive up to 75% of that parent’s benefit amount.

Widowed mothers and fathers

wavebreakmedia / Shutterstock.com

Number of beneficiaries: 107,000 (0.2% of all Social Security beneficiaries)

Average monthly benefit: $1,232

This rare category includes a “surviving spouse at any age who is caring for the deceased’s child who is under age 16 or has a disability and receiving child’s benefits.”

Nondisabled widows and widowers

Unhappy retired man
Prostock-studio / Shutterstock.com

Number of beneficiaries: 3.5 million (5.3% of all Social Security beneficiaries)

Average monthly benefit: $1,713

It’s also possible to receive benefits from a spouse who has died regardless of whether you have children. This is the most common type of what is known as a survivor benefit.

Seniors happily comparing retirement plans on a laptop
See Also:
The 9 Best Types of Retirement Accounts

Unlike the spousal benefit, survivor benefits can be as much as 100% of a late spouse’s benefit. Again, divorced spouses may be eligible. These benefits can generally start as early as age 60, although as with regular retirement benefits, taking survivor benefits early will result in a reduced monthly payment.

Disabled widows and widowers

older disabled in wheelchair with pill
Chatchawal Phumkaew / Shutterstock.com

Number of beneficiaries: 208,000 (0.3% of all Social Security beneficiaries)

Average monthly benefit: $895

Disabled surviving spouses of a certain age may also be eligible for monthly benefits. People in this category are at least 50 years old and have a disability that started before or within seven years of the worker’s death.

Parents of deceased workers

Unhappy senior woman with empty wallet
New Africa / Shutterstock.com

Number of beneficiaries: 1,000 (Less than 0.05% of all Social Security beneficiaries)

Average monthly benefit: $1,538

This is by far the rarest type of Social Security benefit. To qualify, you must:

  • Be at least age 62
  • Survive a child who was providing at least half of your financial support
  • Not qualify for any higher benefit than what can be received from your child’s Social Security record
  • With some exceptions, not have married after your child’s death

Disabled workers

Worried senior holding a cane
fizkes / Shutterstock.com

Number of beneficiaries: 7.5 million (11.3% of all Social Security beneficiaries)

Average monthly benefit: $1,486

To be eligible for disability benefits, workers must have earned a certain number of Social Security credits based on their age. Up to four credits are awarded each year to workers who have sufficient earnings. People must also be deemed unable to continue employment because of a long-lasting or permanent medical condition.

Spouses and children of disabled workers may also be eligible for benefits.

Get smarter with your money!

Want the best money-news and tips to help you make more and spend less? Then sign up for the free Money Talks Newsletter to receive daily updates of personal finance news and advice, delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for our free newsletter today.

  Like Article   Add a Comment

Sign up for our free newsletter!

Join our many free newsletter subscribers building wealth and destroying debt:

We'll send you simple ways to make, save, and grow your money daily.
Sign up for our free newsletter!

Simple ways to make, save, and grow your money daily:

  happy subscribers    
MTN Podcasts

Every week our podcasts bring you lively money discussions that will give you a few laughs along with advice that will make you richer.

Money with Stacy Johnson

Listen/Subscribe

Read Next

Some of our favorite stories for you to read next.

11 Secret Ways Americans Build Wealth
11 Secret Ways Americans Build Wealth
Unhappy retirees
8 Reasons Your Parents Had an Easier Retirement Than You Will
Elderly man lost in thought
The Typical Retiree’s Income Is Shockingly Low
Sign up for our free newsletter!

Join our many free newsletter subscribers building wealth and destroying debt:

Popular Topics
  • Retirement Investment
  • Surveys for Money
  • How to Make Money Online
  • Emergency Stockpile
  • Free Movie Streaming
  • Senior Discounts
Connect
  • Support & FAQs
  • Memberships
  • About
  • Contact
  • Careers
  • Accessibility Statement
Media
  • Television
  • Where We Air
  • Scripts
  • Sitemap
Legal
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Cookies
Editorial
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Ethics Policy
  • Corrections Policy
  • Ownership & Funding Info

Do Not Sell My Personal Information

© 2023 Money Talks News. All Rights Reserved.
‭1 (833) 669-8557 | 1732 1st Ave #26661, New York, NY 10128

Click for Accessibility Tools

Advertising Disclosure: This site may be compensated in exchange for featured placement of certain sponsored products and services, or your clicking on links posted on this website.

Add a Comment

Our Policy: We welcome relevant and respectful comments in order to foster healthy and informative discussions. All other comments may be removed. Comments with links are automatically held for moderation.

Cookie Notice

Our website uses cookies to ensure you get the best browsing experience. By using our website, you agree to our use of cookies. Visit our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy to learn more.

Sign up for our free newsletter!

Join our happy subscribers and sign up for our free newsletter! You'll get:

  • Tips and advice from our expert money reporters. (Our average experience is 18 years!)
  • Unexpected ways to make more and spend less, delivered to you daily.
  • The best deals and coupons to save on everything you buy.