A retired worker is defined as a beneficiary who worked in covered employment long enough to be insured and who is at least 62 years old (benefits equal to the "primary insurance amount" are payable at the normal retirement age; maximum benefits are payable at age 70).
Citation formats
U.S. number of retired workers receiving Social Security 2008-2025
The number of retired workers receiving Social Security benefits increased from approximately million in 2010 to million in 2025. This figure has increased at the same rate year-on-year over the past decade and is likely to continue into the future.
What is Social Security?
Social Security benefits are payments, which are paid out by the U.S. government to qualified retirees and disabled people, as well as to their spouses, children, and survivors. These payments are meant to provide them with partial replacement income. Social security expenditure is forecast to increase year-on-year over the next decade, as it has since the beginning of the 21st century.
The impact of demographic change
This is likely due to the fact that the U.S. population is aging rapidly, which means that seniors will account for a greater proportion of the population in the future. This demographic change will put pressure on government resources, because the workforce whose tax dollars pay for social benefits will make up a smaller percentage of the population than now. Americans who are 65 years and older are the demographic group estimated to grow the most over the next 40 years, whereas the other groups will mostly remain the same.
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ can support your business.
U.S. Social Security Administration. (July 27, 2026). Number of retired workers receiving Social Security in the United States from 2008 to 2025 (in millions) [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 28, 2026, from /statistics/194295/number-of-us-retired-workers-who-receive-social-security/
U.S. Social Security Administration. "Number of retired workers receiving Social Security in the United States from 2008 to 2025 (in millions)." Chart. July 27, 2026. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 28, 2026. /statistics/194295/number-of-us-retired-workers-who-receive-social-security/
U.S. Social Security Administration. (2026). Number of retired workers receiving Social Security in the United States from 2008 to 2025 (in millions). ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 28, 2026. /statistics/194295/number-of-us-retired-workers-who-receive-social-security/
U.S. Social Security Administration. "Number of Retired Workers Receiving Social Security in The United States from 2008 to 2025 (in Millions)." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 27 Jul 2026, /statistics/194295/number-of-us-retired-workers-who-receive-social-security/
U.S. Social Security Administration, Number of retired workers receiving Social Security in the United States from 2008 to 2025 (in millions) ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/194295/number-of-us-retired-workers-who-receive-social-security/ (last visited July 28, 2026)
Number of retired workers receiving Social Security in the United States from 2008 to 2025 (in millions) [Graph], U.S. Social Security Administration, July 27, 2026. [Online]. Available: /statistics/194295/number-of-us-retired-workers-who-receive-social-security/
