Though Social Security is designed to supplement people’s income in retirement, for some Americans it serves as their primary or only source of income. Either way, retirees rely on these monthly checks to cover essential expenses like housing, food and healthcare.
While Social Security benefits receive an annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to help offset inflation, those increases don’t always keep pace with the real costs retirees face. Some years, inflation runs hotter than the adjustment, eroding purchasing power.
The current average Social Security check may not look especially generous by today’s standards. Still, when you compare how much benefits have increased over time, the raw dollar growth appears significant. The comparison between 1985 and today helps illustrate just how much the program has changed and why many retirees still feel financially squeezed.
Here’s what the average Social Security check looked like in 1985 versus today.
Social Security Checks in 1985
In 1985, Ronald Reagan was in his second term as president. Economic growth was sluggish during the first half of the year, according to The Economic Review, before improving later on. Inflation had cooled from the highs of the late 1970s and early 1980s, easing some pressure on household budgets.
At the time, average monthly Social Security benefits were as follows:
- Average monthly benefit for retired workers: $479
- Average benefit for spouses: $246
- Average benefit for workers with disabilities: $484
- Average benefit for non-disabled widows and widowers receiving survivor benefits: $433
Housing, healthcare and college costs consumed a smaller share of household income in 1985 than they do today, allowing many retirees to stretch these benefits further, particularly those who owned their homes outright.
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Social Security Checks in 2026
In 2026, Donald Trump is in his second term as president. Economic conditions are mixed, according to Vanguard. Labor force growth has slowed, while inflation has cooled compared to recent peaks. At the same time, higher housing costs, insurance premiums and tariffs continue to put pressure on retirees’ budgets.
In January, Social Security recipients received a 2.8% COLA. Average monthly benefits now stand at:
- Average monthly benefit for retired workers: $2,071
- Average benefit for couples, both receiving benefits: $3,208
- Average benefit for workers with disabilities: $1,630
- Average benefit for non-disabled widows and widowers receiving survivor benefits: $2,937
While these amounts are far higher in dollars than in 1985, that doesn’t necessarily translate into greater financial security. Today’s retirees often face steeper housing costs, higher medical expenses and out-of-pocket Medicare premiums that can absorb much of their COLA increase.
The comparison highlights a key reality: Social Security benefits have grown substantially over time but so have the costs retirees must cover. For those relying heavily on these checks, budgeting and supplemental income matter more now than they did four decades ago.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: The Average Social Security Check in 1985 vs. 2026
