Key Points Social Security provides details on the average benefits retirees receive. Some retirees receive much larger benefits while others are below the average. The average benefit shows that Social Security isn't enough to live on. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › Almost all retirees in the United States collect Social Security retirement benefits, and these are an important income source. However, the benefits may not be as big as many seniors wish they ...