If Americans were to live on Social Security alone, the funds would run out in just a week in some major cities. According to a new study, which analyzed how many days the average Social Security check would last a married couple each month across 50 cities, showed that the benefits could stretch up to 19 days at the very most. In some densely populated areas, it would run out in less than 10 days. There were no cities in the study where a couple would be able to survive for an entire month until the arrival of the next payment. The study lays bare how high inflation and rising living costs are taking a toll on seniors living on a fixed income, making it impossible for millions to rely on Social Security alone. It comes as the future of the benefits program remains unknown. Those living in Irvine, Calif., would run out the fastest, in just 6.73 days. The California cities of San Diego, Los Angeles and Anaheim are in the top 10 cities where Social Security would run out the quickest. On the other end of the spectrum, a monthly Social Security check would last 19.38 days in Saint Petersburg, Fla., the longest time of the cities analyzed. Starting in 2025, the average retired worker’s benefit will be around $1,976 a month, with the COLA hike increasing it by 2.5% in January. This is the lowest yearly increase since 2021. Senior citizens and groups like AARP have expressed their disappointment at the raise, which they say doesn’t reflect their changing expenses after years of high inflation and price hikes.
