Here is all you need to know about this month’s Social Security payments, which go out in three rounds. When does the check arrive? Social Security payments typically begin on t

I won't keep you in suspense. The average 69-year-old retired worker gets $1,945.18 per month from their Social Security benefits. This is an overall average of the roughly 2.9 million people who collect Social Security retirement benefits who are 69 years old now.

In 2024, the life expectancy for someone born in 1959 was 74 for men and 80.1 for women, according to a Social Security report. The report predicts continuing increases in life expectancy, which translates into even more years that beneficiaries will receive Social Security checks.

The Social Security cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, for 2025 is a 2.5% increase. That means the monthly benefits checks for more than 72.5 million Americans will see their lowest annual bump in four years. While the smaller COLA is due to the normalization of annual inflation rates, many beneficiaries are concerned.

Technically, you don't have to take Social Security when you retire. It's possible to leave your job at 62 and then wait until 70 to file for benefits. However, you'll need to rely on other sources of income during those years in between, which can take a hefty toll on your savings.