While Social Security benefits will still be paid, checks will be slashed by 23%. Such a cut could disrupt any well-designed retirement plan, but it would be particularly challenging to those who depend solely on Social Security to cover their expenses. The number of retirees who count solely on Social SecurityAccording to a new report from The Senior Citizens League (TSCL), 21.8 million seniors get by on Social Security alone. The average monthly Social Security payment is around $2,000 in 2025. For seniors who depend solely on Social Security, overcoming financial challenges requires strategic planning.