Millions of retirees depend on Social Security benefits to make ends meet during their senior years. The average Social Security recipient receives just over $1,500 per month in benefits, and nearly one-quarter of married couples and close to half of unmarried beneficiaries rely on this money for at least 90% of their income in retirement, according to the Social Security Administration. The age you begin claiming retirement benefits has a lifelong impact on how much you receive each month.