What Percentage of Retirees Rely on Social Security for Almost All Their Retirement Income?
A 2025 Congressional Research Service report found that approximately 19% of Americans 65 and older rely on Social Security for 90% or more of their income, though Census Bureau research using IRS records found a lower figure of 14%. While Social Security provides 30% of total income for all Americans 65 and older, its importance grows with age, accounting for 40% of income among those 80 and older.