Retirement Income Sources Beyond Social Security for Most Retirees

Social Security retirement income made up 30% of income for Americans 65 and older in 2019, according to a 2025 Congressional Research Service report. Wages, pensions, retirement accounts and assets supplied the rest for most older adults. The figures offer a practical reminder: retirement plans built around one benefit can leave a sizable gap.

How older Americans’ income breaks down

The report paired tax records with survey responses and found that roughly one in five adults 65 and older received at least 90% of their income from Social Security. Across the full age group, the benefit was one part of a broader mix.

The percentages total 93%, not 100%, because the table reflects the categories cited in the report and does not account for every source. Asset income is broader than savings interest: it can also come from property or ownership in a business.

Social Security retirement income rises with age

Among adults 65 to 69, Social Security represented 19% of income. For people 80 and older, its share reached 40%. Even at that older age, it was not the largest income source on average. Lower income households, single adults, and Black and Latin Americans are more likely to depend heavily on the program.

The data describes 2019, so it is not a snapshot of current household finances. Still, research has repeatedly found that most older adults do not get 90% or more of their income from Social Security. The Congressional Research Service also noted that people tend to underreport pension and retirement account income, which can make those sources harder to measure accurately.

Building a retirement plan around more than benefits

Many people expect to work into their 60s, yet health problems or other disruptions can bring an earlier retirement. Reviewing a budget against several possible retirement dates can show how much income would need to come from savings or other resources. Keeping track of workplace plans, pensions and assets alongside an estimated Social Security benefit can help identify gaps before work income stops.

In a survey published last summer, 70% of US adults said they expect to receive Social Security, while 32% expected it to be their primary income source. The program’s trust fund outlook is another planning factor. Trustees project the main retirement fund, OASI, will be depleted in 2033. After legislation became law in July 2025, the Social Security Administration’s chief actuary moved the estimate to 2032. At that point, payroll taxes would cover about 77% of scheduled benefits.

Social Security cuts now rank as Americans’ second biggest retirement fear, after needing long term care because of declining health, according to the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies. Checking benefit estimates and listing expected income by source are useful first steps for understanding how much a household may rely on the program.