Even Retirees Receiving the Biggest Social Security Benefit Checks Are Still Struggling

The average Social Security benefit check is just $1,907 per month; that equates to less than $23,000 each year. While retirees in some cities are doing better than average — like Ann Arbor, Michigan, where recipients receive the biggest benefit checks averaging $30,428 a year — it’s still not enough. An article by MoneyWise looked at a living wage calculator and determined that an adult “in Ann Arbor would need an income of around $47,334 to cover basic expenses such as housing and health care — about $16,906 more than Social Security provides.” This is a clear indication that Social Security needs to be expanded.

The Seniors Trust is committed to improving the financial well-being of America’s retirees through the passage of The Social Security Expansion Act. It will give retirees an immediate benefits increase of about $200 a month, a fair annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), increased minimum benefits, and will ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program.