Unsure how Social Security will contribute to your retirement? Here’s how much a middle-class retiree can expect to receive

U.S. Census Bureau data from 2022 shows the national middle-class income range is between $49,271 and $147,828 — a range heavily influenced by location and cost-of-living considerations (1).

The Bureau says the median household income in the U.S. that year was $74,580. According to AARP’s Social Security calculator, a 55-year-old earning that amount today and planning to take Social Security at age 62 would get an estimated monthly benefit of about $1,869 a month, or $22,428 a year (2).

Presuming the retiree has no savings and would rely on Social Security alone, that’s dangerously near the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ 2025 poverty line of $15,650 (3).

Social Security benefits vary greatly, but generally depend on how long one is willing to defer their benefit. Planning for a retirement that doesn’t count on Social Security, some argue, makes sense given persistent questions about the long-term sustainability of the program.

Getting more from Social Security

Getting the most from Social Security comes down to strategy, forethought and planning — along with a decent understanding of how the system works.

There are several strategies middle-class retirees can employ to increase their benefits:

Delay claiming benefits

While drawing your Social Security benefits early may make sense for some, the most effective way to increase your monthly check is to delay when you start receiving it.

While you can start receiving benefits at 62, doing so will result in a reduced monthly benefit. Each year you wait until you reach 70 will significantly increase the benefit amount.

Consider the tax consequences

Social Security benefits can be taxable depending on the retiree’s total income. It’s essential to understand how other sources of income — like pensions and investment withdrawals — impact the taxability of Social Security benefits. Proper tax planning can help minimize Uncle Sam’s share of your money.

If you’re unsure about which tax consequences might apply to you, it could be worth speaking with a financial advisor.

Advisor.com can help connect you with vetted financial advisors best suited to help you develop a plan for your new wealth.

Just answer a few quick questions about your finances, and the platform will match you with an experienced financial professional. You can view their profile, read past client reviews and schedule an initial consultation for free with no obligation to hire.

Explore other investments and savings vehicles

While maximizing Social Security is important, it should be part of a broader retirement strategy. Relying on it without any other income may not leave enough to support yourself in retirement.

Here are some strategies to consider.

Diversify with real estate investments

Both residential and commercial real estate have long been solid choices for investors looking to diversify and add stability to their portfolios — especially while saving for retirement. Since having a place to live is essential, real estate remains a stable, relevant asset.

New investing platforms are making it easier than ever to tap into the real estate market.

For accredited investors, mogul, a real estate investment platform offering fractional ownership in blue-chip rental properties, gives high-net-worth investors monthly rental income, real-time appreciation and tax benefits — minus the late-night tenant calls.

Founded by former Goldman Sachs real estate investors, the team hand-picks the top 1% of single-family rental homes nationwide for you. Simply put, mogul lets you invest in institutional-quality offerings for a fraction of the usual cost.

Each property undergoes a vetting process, requiring a minimum 12% return even in downside scenarios. Offerings often sell out in under three hours, with investments typically ranging between $15,000 and $40,000 per property.

To get started, just sign up for an account and browse available properties. Once you verify your information with their team, you’re ready to invest like a mogul.

Another option is Lightstone DIRECT, which offers accredited investors access to institutional-quality multifamily and industrial real estate — with a minimum investment of $100,000.

Founded in 1986 by David Lichtenstein, Lightstone Group is one of the largest privately held real estate investment firms in the U.S., with more than $12 billion in assets under management.

Over nearly-four decades, their team has delivered strong, risk-adjusted performance across multiple market cycles — including a 27.5% historical net IRR and a 2.49x historical net equity multiple on realized investments since 2004.

With Lightstone DIRECT, you gain access to that proprietary deal flow.

Here’s the kicker: Lightstone invests at least 20% of its own capital in every deal — roughly four times the industry average. With its skin in the game, the firm ensures its interests are directly aligned with those of its investors.

You can also invest in shares of vacation homes or rental properties through Arrived.

Backed by world-class investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrived allows you to invest in shares of vacation and rental properties, earning a passive income stream without the extra work that comes with being a landlord of your own rental property.

To get started, simply browse through their selection of vetted properties, each picked for income generation and appreciation potential. Once you choose a property, you can start investing with as little as $100.

Take advantage of the gold rush

Gold has had a record year, growing to an all-time high of around $4,300 in October. A year of tariff turbulence created a ripple effect that led many toward the precious metal, known for its safety during market instability.