12 Ways To Boost Your Social Security In 2020 The average Social Security check paid out in 2018 was for just $1,404, according to The Motley Fool. That works out to just $16,848 per year... hardly enough to get by comfortably on these days. And that’s before taxes! It's no secret that retiring in today's economy is harder than ever for seniors. The costs of healthcare, housing, utilities and even food has all skyrocketed. And unfortunately the Cost Of Living Adjustment just isn't cutting it for some seniors. That's why we've compiled this extensive list of the top ways that seniors can potentially boost their Social Security benefits in 2020. Enjoy!