Alden and Dena Swartz draw nearly $4,000 a month from Social Security, the government program designed to support Americans in retirement. And they are struggling.
Gail Randle and her partner, Mike DellaVolpe, collect only $2,400 a month in Social Security benefits: Not quite $30,000 a year. And they are doing all right.
“We are frugal people,” said Randle, 73. “Almost everything in our house is recycled. Used, you know? Thrifted. But it looks nice. Everything works. ”.
Social Security was never intended to fund the full cost of retirement. On average, the benefit covers about 40% of a workers preretirement earnings. Also, that number could go down because the Congressional Budget Office says that Social Security will have a shortfall by 2035. President-elect Donald Trump proposes to eliminate taxes on Social Security, which could deplete the fund two years sooner.
Most Americans think you need at least $1 million in the bank, on top of Social Security, to live a comfortable retirement. That way of thinking is rewarded by investment firms and news headlines: “Plan to save 10 times your annual income before you retire if you want to keep the lifestyle you have now.”
But here’s the problem: Most Americans don’t save nearly that much. A federal survey of consumer finances found that the average family with a retirement account has about $200,000 saved for retirement. This is for people aged 65 to 74. Only about half of those households have retirement accounts at all.
Just fine, says Andrew Biggs, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute think tank. He penned an essay that went viral this year, arguing that you can retire with a lot less than $1 million in the bank: $50,000 to $100,000 in savings should do it, he said.
As evidence, Biggs points to another federal report, the Survey of Household Economics and Decisionmaking. That survey asked retirement-age Americans, 65 to 74, how well they were managing financially. Roughly 85% said they were doing OK.
After they retire, “people spend dramatically less,” Biggs said. “This sort of rat race you get when you’re working, a lot of that drops off in retirement.”
To test that theory, USA TODAY reached out to retirees across the country who are living mostly on Social Security and asked how they were doing. We got help from the r/retirement community on Reddit, whose 83,000 members talk about this stuff all the time.
Really, the thought that we all need a million dollars to live comfortably in old age is pretty scary. Who has that much money saved? The average amount of money saved for retirement by Americans ages 60 to 64, according to the Federal Reserve, is only about $221,450. That’s a long way from that supposedly million-dollar mark.
So what happens if you’re approaching retirement with little savings and Social Security will be your main (or only) source of income? Is it even possible to survive on just Social Security benefits?
The short answer Yes it absolutely is possible – and many Americans are already doing it. According to the Social Security Administration 12% of men and 15% of women age 65 or older rely on Social Security for 90% or more of their income.
I’ve done a lot of research on this subject and talked to real people who are making it work. Let’s look at how you can live on Social Security alone and maybe even do well.
How Much Income Will Social Security Actually Provide?
Before we talk strategies, let’s get real about the numbers. As of March 2025, the average monthly Social Security retirement benefit is about $1,975, which translates to roughly $23,700 per year for an individual. For context, the federal poverty threshold in 2025 is around $15,060 for an individual and $20,440 for a couple.
So the good news is that even the average Social Security benefit keeps you above the poverty line. But is it enough to live comfortably? That depends on your lifestyle, location, and how strategically you plan.
11 Practical Ways to Survive on Social Security Alone
1. Wait to Start Collecting Benefits if You Can
One of the most powerful strategies for maximizing your Social Security income is simply waiting longer to claim it. In 2025, the maximum benefit amounts are:
- Age 62: $2,831/month
- Full retirement age (66-67 depending on birth year): $4,018/month
- Age 70: $5,108/month
That’s potentially an 80% increase by waiting from 62 to 70! Each year you delay claiming after full retirement age adds about 8% to your monthly benefit – permanently.
Martha Shedden, president of the National Association of Registered Social Security Analysts, emphasizes: “There is a real opportunity to stretch those dollars further by working a little longer and claiming later.”
2. Get Out of Debt Before Retirement
Living on Social Security becomes much easier when you don’t have debt payments eating away at your limited income. While you’re still working, make it a priority to eliminate:
- Credit card debt
- Car loans
- Mortgage (if possible)
- Personal loans
The less you owe, the further your Social Security check will stretch.
3. Find Cheaper Housing
Housing typically represents your biggest expense. Consider these options to reduce housing costs:
- Downsize: Move to a smaller, more affordable home
- Relocate: Consider moving to a lower-cost area (more on this below)
- Share housing: Think “Golden Girls” style living arrangements with friends
- Mobile home communities: Often offer affordable housing with amenities
- Public housing: Some retirees qualify for subsidized housing
A 75-year-old retiree named Janis Lynn lives off of her $1,500 monthly Social Security benefit. She talked about her experience: “I moved into public housing in the same area so I could stay close to my doctors.” It was hard at first to live in a small one-bedroom apartment, but I slowly got used to the change. “.
4. Consider Relocating to a Lower-Cost Area
Where you live significantly impacts how far your Social Security dollars will stretch. U.S. News and World Report identified these 10 states as having lower costs of living:
- Indiana
- Michigan
- Missouri
- Tennessee
- Georgia
- Arkansas
- Alabama
- Oklahoma
- Kansas
- Mississippi
Moving to a more temperate climate can also reduce heating and cooling costs.
For those who like to take risks, retiring abroad can save them a lot of money and possibly give them a better quality of life. Many people choose to retire in Mexico, Panama, Portugal, or Ecuador, where they can live comfortably on Social Security benefits.
5. Cut Transportation Costs
Transportation is often the second-highest expense for retirees – sometimes even exceeding healthcare costs! According to the American Automobile Association, owning and operating an average sedan costs about $8,558 annually.
Consider these alternatives:
- Public transportation
- Ride-sharing services when needed
- Bike or walk for short trips
- Carpool with neighbors
- Sell your car if feasible
Janis Lynn shares: “I’d driven the same Jeep for so many years, but it was worn down and needed so much work. I decided to sell it and go without a car. I didn’t want to do it, but I felt I had to, and I have gotten used to life without a car.”
6. Be Strategic About Food Costs
Food expenses can add up quickly, but there are many ways to eat well on a budget:
- Apply for SNAP benefits (food stamps) if you qualify
- Buy in bulk for staples and non-perishables
- Meal prep to reduce waste and avoid impulse purchases
- Shop at discount grocers and dollar stores
- Use senior discounts at restaurants and grocery stores
- Limit dining out to special occasions
Janis notes: “I get everything at either the dollar store or [my local supermarket]. I’ll make beef teriyaki and make that last a few days. Sometimes I’ll order Chinese food and I can make that last a few days, too.”
7. Take Advantage of Senior Discounts and Assistance Programs
There are numerous programs designed to help seniors with limited incomes:
- Medicare Extra Help program for prescription drug costs
- LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program)
- Property tax relief for seniors in many states
- Free tax preparation through Tax Counseling for the Elderly
- Senior discounts at retailers, restaurants, and entertainment venues
Research indicates that only 25% of eligible seniors actually apply for available benefits, so don’t leave money on the table!
8. Prioritize Your Health
Healthcare costs can quickly derail even the best retirement plan. Invest in your health by:
- Staying physically active
- Eating nutritiously
- Getting preventive care
- Carefully comparing Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans annually
- Looking into Medicare Supplement insurance
In 2023, households led by someone 65 or older spent an average of $8,027 on healthcare. Staying healthy can significantly reduce these costs.
9. Create and Stick to a Detailed Budget
When living on a fixed income, knowing exactly where every dollar goes is essential:
- Track ALL expenses for at least a month
- Categorize spending into needs vs. wants
- Look for patterns and areas to cut
- Set realistic spending limits for each category
- Review and adjust regularly
Consider using the Boldin Retirement Planner (formerly NewRetirement) or a similar tool to create a comprehensive financial plan that accounts for your exact Social Security benefit and expenses.
10. Build a Support Network
Don’t underestimate the value of community. Friends, family, and neighbors can provide practical and emotional support:
- Sharing resources and skills
- Carpooling and running errands together
- Trading services instead of hiring help
- Providing companionship and reducing isolation
Janis Lynn found this to be true: “When I first moved into affordable housing, I was fairly reserved and kept to myself, but eventually I opted to attend the many social gatherings held in the building for residents. Via those, I found lasting friendships with other folks living on just Social Security. People here can relate to me. We have a community. We’re all broke.”
11. Consider Part-Time Work
Even a small amount of additional income can make a huge difference:
- Retail positions (often with employee discounts)
- Consulting in your former profession
- Gig economy jobs (driving, delivery, etc.)
- Pet sitting or house sitting
- Handyman or repair services
- Online freelancing
Just be aware that earning too much while collecting Social Security before your full retirement age can temporarily reduce your benefits (though you’ll get that money back later through higher payments).
Real People Making It Work
Let me share a bit more about Janis Lynn’s experience, as it demonstrates how these strategies work in real life.
Janis was forced onto disability in her 50s due to health problems, then transitioned to Social Security in her early 60s. She receives about $1,500 monthly – below the national average. Yet she’s created a sustainable lifestyle by:
- Moving to public housing with utilities included
- Selling her car and using alternative transportation
- Shopping at dollar stores for essentials
- Meal prepping and rarely dining out
- Using food stamps to supplement her grocery budget
- Building a supportive community of friends in similar situations
While she occasionally needs to ask her daughter for help with unexpected expenses like vet bills, she maintains her independence and dignity. As she puts it: “Yes, I rely on the government for help. I’m not ashamed; I worked hard when I was able to. I paid into the system, and I deserve the money.”
The Bottom Line: It’s Possible, But Requires Planning
Can you survive on Social Security alone? Absolutely. Is it easy? Not always. But with careful planning, strategic decisions about where and how to live, and a willingness to adapt, many retirees make it work every day.
Remember that Social Security was never designed to be a retiree’s sole source of income. However, if you find yourself without significant savings as retirement approaches, implementing these strategies can help you create a dignified, comfortable life on your benefits.
The most important steps are to maximize your benefit amount by waiting as long as possible to claim, eliminate debt before retirement, find affordable housing, and be strategic about your essential expenses.
What’s your experience with Social Security? Are you planning to rely on it as your primary income source in retirement? I’d love to hear your thoughts and strategies in the comments below!
‘I’ll never be out on the streets’
Sheri Makasini’s experience in retirement could provide a textbook case to illustrate that many Americans cannot survive on Social Security alone, not even in a trailer park.
Makasini, 68, owned a home in a Florida RV park. But with a monthly Social Security income of $1,800, she couldn’t afford to keep it. She was paying more than $800 in monthly rent on the land where the home sat, in addition to loan payments on the home itself.
She put the mobile home up for sale, and, between interviews with USA TODAY, she managed to sell it. She’ll clear about $12,000 after paying off the loan.
Makasini lives now with her daughter in Euless, Texas. Daughter Michelle Makasini makes a good living as a social media manager for the Hilton hotel chain.
“I’m lucky because she has that mentality, ‘Take care of your parents,’” Sheri Makasini said. “I’ll never be out on the streets. ”.
Makasini spent her career in the airline food concession industry. She started out at Air 1, one in a fleet of startup airlines that came and went in the years after the deregulation of the industry under President Ronald Reagan in the 1980s. She later worked for US Airways and American Airlines and other aviation firms.
A divorce in 2000 changed Makasini’s flight path. She raised her daughter without child support. Mergers and shutdowns in the volatile airline industry left her jobless at times, forcing her to spend all of her modest 401(k) retirement savings to survive.
In 2012, Michelle Makasini had a child, and Sheri struggled to support her daughter and grandson. At the time, Michelle was earning $11 an hour.
Sheri Makasini took Social Security at her earliest opportunity, at age 62.
“I didn’t have any other means of income,” she said. “If I would’ve waited, it would have been $2,100 or $2,200 when I turned 65 or 67. Now, I’m dealing with, like, $1,600 a month,” after Medicare deductions: “Not too much. ”.
Michelle Makasini has offered to build her mother an in-law suite on her property. But that may be years away. In the meantime, Sheri Makasini plans to relocate to Missouri to be near some of her siblings. She is on a waiting list for a subsidized apartment for seniors. Rent will be about $800 a month, roughly half of her Social Security income.
“It’s not optimal to just get by,” she said. “But that’s the way it is.”
‘I have worked so hard all my life’
Gail Randle’s approach to retirement living has a lot to do with staying out of trouble.
“I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, we don’t get arrested, we don’t go to jail,” she said. “We don’t start arguments with people. ”.
Randle served in the Army and Army Reserve for a long time. He was a colonel’s clerk and a general’s driver. She dabbled in property management and sometimes moonlighted as a cocktail waitress. For the final 16 years of full-time work, she owned a retail store. “Adult,” she clarified. “It was stripper clothes. ”.
She retired in 2016 at age 65. She felt that she deserved it.
“I have worked so hard all my life, working two jobs, sometimes three,” she said. “You throw in the Army Reserves. And it has really been a struggle. ”.
For all that work, Randle has only $2,000 in retirement savings. She has a modest annuity, about $500 a month, but it runs out in a couple of years.
And so, Randle and her partner, Mike DellaVolpe, 82, survive mostly on Social Security. Their combined benefit is about $2,400 a month.
The money goes farther than you might think.
In the years before retirement, Randle “put some things into effect that would make my life easier,” she recalled. “I said, OK, we’re going to need a newer car. We need to get our pool resurfaced. ” Earlier this year, she paid off her $82,000 mortgage on her home in Clearwater, Florida.
She has two grown kids who support themselves. She and her partner enjoy keeping to a budget.
“We are both very frugal,” she said. “We look at those menus and we say, ‘They’re crazy. We are not going to pay that. I can do better at home. ’”.
In their last dinner out, Randle recalled recently, “I had a little pizza for $11, and my Mike had an Italian beef for $11. ” Their bill was $23.
“We have a place we go for breakfast,” she said. “It’s owned by Greeks, so you know it’s good, and breakfast is $6. 50. ”.
LIVING ON SOCIAL SECURITY ALONE (4 Tips)
FAQ
How do people live on Social Security alone?
To live on Social Security alone, prioritize eliminating high-interest debt and downsizing your housing to reduce monthly expenses. You should also delay claiming Social Security benefits for as long as possible to maximize your monthly payments.
Who qualifies for an extra $144 added to their Social Security?
To get the “Medicare giveback,” you need to be a member of Original Medicare (Parts A and B), live in an area served by a Medicare Advantage plan that provides this benefit, and pay your own Part B premium.
What percentage of people live on Social Security alone?
Approximately 27% to 40% of older Americans rely solely on Social Security for their retirement income, with some reports indicating figures as high as 43. 6% for certain income-source measures. Recent data suggests that 27% depend entirely on Social Security, while another 39% rely on it for their entire income.
What is it like to retire on almost nothing but Social Security?
An AARP study found that about one in seven people aged 65 and up who get Social Security depend on their benefits for almost all of their income. They cut their already tight budgets, move into smaller homes, or depend on the kindness of family and friends to get by because they can’t live the way they did when they were working.
Can you live on social security alone?
While the lifestyle associated with Social Security income isn’t exactly luxurious, it doesn’t have to equal rice and beans for the rest of your life, either. How you make living on Social Security alone work for you will depend on a lot of factors, not the least of which is what you want out of life. Living on Social Security alone is possible.
Can you live on social security if you’re 62?
Waiting until age 70 to collect Social Security could nearly double the benefits someone receives compared to claiming at 62. Living on Social Security alone is possible but may require cutting expenses and finding cheaper housing. Those without retirement savings may need to work to supplement their Social Security benefits.
Should you rely on Social Security benefits in retirement?
It’s not recommended to rely solely on social security benefits in retirement, but it can be done. Social Security was designed to supplement only pensions and retirement savings. But for many, that’s no longer the case.
Do you need social security if you don’t have retirement savings?
Those without retirement savings may need to work to supplement their Social Security benefits. Social Security was never intended to cover all retirement expenses, but that hasn’t stopped some people from trying to live on their government benefits alone.
Can Social Security help you live frugally?
Relying on Social Security as your primary or only source of funds takes some strategizing. You will likely have to decrease your living expenses significantly and live frugally. Here are five tips to help you make that happen. Reducing your living expenses can help you live on Social Security alone.
Should you take social security if you’re ailing?
Living mostly on Social Security alone can be difficult. But here are tips for those near or in retirement who may find themselves in that situation. Of course, if you’re ailing and not likely to live many years in retirement, you’re better off taking Social Security benefits early.