Life has gotten a lot more expensive since 1990. While average Social Security benefits have significantly increased in the past 36 years, they might not stretch as far.
In 1990, the average estimated monthly Social Security retirement benefit was $602.56, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA). As of January 2026, this would equate to $1,538.33, with inflation, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation calculator. In January 2026, the estimated average monthly Social Security retirement benefit was $2,071, according to the SSA.
