Can You Really Retire on Social Security Alone in 2026? An Honest Budget Breakdown

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Last year, astir Americans believed you needed $1.26 cardinal to discontinue comfortably, according to Northwestern Mutual. But tin you discontinue with less? And what if you person lone your Social Security benefits?

For galore retirees, Social Security accounts for the bulk, oregon adjacent the entirety, of their status income. According to experts, here’s what a realistic fund would look similar for retirees who beryllium solely connected Social Security.

“Retiring exclusively connected Social Security income is possible. Millions of radical bash it,” Melanie Musson, concern adept astatine Quote.com, wrote successful an email. According to a 2025 survey by The Senior Citizens League, astir 22 cardinal seniors unrecorded connected Social Security alone.

“Just due to the fact that it’s imaginable doesn’t mean it’s comfortable, though. If you’re utilized to surviving a frugal manner with an highly constricted income, you’ll person an easier clip adjusting than if you’re utilized to a comfy middle-class manner oregon higher,” Musson explained.

Steven Rogé, MS, CFP, CAP, AIF, main concern serviceman and CEO of R.W. Rogé & Company Inc., besides said it’s possible, but lone if the fund is built astir the benefit.

“A azygous retiree successful a lower-cost area, oregon a mates receiving 2 benefits, whitethorn beryllium capable to screen indispensable expenses,” Rogé explained. “However, carrying debt, precocious lodging costs oregon maintaining a predominant question manner would apt necessitate further income sources.”

Find Out: What Will the Average Social Security Check Be for Retirees successful 2026?

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According to Rogé, benefits typically scope from $1,600 to $2,200 per period for a azygous retiree, depending connected net and claiming age.

Here’s what Rogé said is simply a realistic baseline:

$700 to $900 for humble oregon elder housing
$200 to $300 for Medicare premiums and regular out-of-pocket costs
$300 for groceries
$150 for utilities and phone
$75 for transportation
$100 for everything else.

But surviving connected this fund besides means you can’t spend indebtedness payments. “Any indebtedness outgo rapidly breaks the math, which is wherefore entering status with recognition cards and car loans paid disconnected is critical,” Rogé explained.

If you ain your ain home, Musson wrote that you whitethorn beryllium capable to support up with taxes and insurance, depending connected wherever you live. “If you’re renting, you’ll apt request to determination to subsidized elder lodging to spend a place,” she added. “You tin beryllium connected SNAP benefits oregon commodities for your market needs. But these benefits aren’t typically precocious capable to screen the full market budget.”

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