Financial Advisors Work Out How To Live on Just a $1,700 Social Security Check

If retirement is on the near horizon, the thought of living on Social Security alone likely seems impossible. Between today's housing costs, healthcare expenses, and those inflated grocery prices, you may find yourself wondering how it's even possible.

However, while it may seem impossible, the truth is that with a bit of budgeting, you can maximize your senior benefits, including your Social Security benefits. We asked financial experts to tell us how, and help build a realistic monthly budget around a $1,700 Social Security check to see what it actually takes to make ends meet.

This breakdown shows how careful trade-offs, strategic budgeting, and a few non-negotiable priorities can make that monthly benefit stretch further than you might expect.

Lay out your expenses before the month starts

As with most things in finance, the first step in stretching $1,700 a month is to budget. Lay out your expenses up front.

Ian Skjervem, CEO at Smart Investors Daily, says retirees who successfully live on a $1,700 Social Security check decide where every dollar goes before the month begins, rather than tracking spending after it's already happened. "The retirees I see struggling don't track their spending," says Skjervem. "Write down every purchase for 30 days, and you'll see where the money really goes."

Don't accept bills as fixed costs

Something some seniors (and perhaps even younger folks) likely do not think about is negotiating their bills. "The biggest mistake I see that retired people make is accepting bills as fixed costs. They're not." Skjervem states, driving the importance of always rebalancing your expenses. "It's essential to call your insurance company every year and ask for a better rate. Senior discounts are available everywhere; you just have to ask for them."

Never underestimate healthcare costs

As a retiree, you will likely be eligible for some sort of medicare coverage to help with your healthcare expenses. But the truth is medicare alone is not enough to cover your healthcare expenses in your golden years.

Ali Zane, CEO and Credit Consultant of Imax Credit Repair & Identity Firm Theft, stresses this point. "A repeated mistake is poor healthcare planning. When living this close to the line, medical emergencies can ruin your whole plan," Zane says. "Set a hard minimum of $250 per month for healthcare and let a healthcare service provider help you stay on the preventive care side. Preventative is always cheaper than treatment."

Skjervem also shares the importance of never underestimating healthcare costs. "The number one trap I see is underestimating healthcare costs. Healthcare expenditure for retirees average $6,000 to $7,000 each year, not the $200 that most people budget monthly. Even $10 a month to the emergency fund breaks the debt cycle. Fixed income doesn't mean fixed life."

Consider food assistance or other public benefits

Many people may feel ashamed to seek benefits or food assistance. But the truth is, these programs exist to help people like senior citizens get by. You paid into it your entire working life; why not take advantage?

SNAP (Supplement Food Assistance Plan) can be beneficial to many seniors, and Zane agrees. "The most common myth among retirees is that they are unable to ask for help or benefit from programs designed for low-income individuals." Zane suggests applying for food assistance (SNAP), property tax deferral programs (if you own a home), utility assistance programs, and Medicare savings programs, which can lower healthcare costs by 40-60%.

These are not acts of charity; it's simply taking advantage of a system designed to benefit people like retirees.

Budgeting breakdown

Considering the tips above, below is a breakdown of what a $1,700 budget may look like, per both Skjervem and Zane.

Skjervem gives a proposed breakdown:

• Housing: $600 to $800
• Food: $250 to $300
• Utilities: $150 to $200
• Healthcare: $200 to $300 after Medicare
• Transportation: $100 to $150
• Which leaves a buffer of $100 to $200 for everything else

Ali gives a similar breakdown:

• Housing: No more than $750, including rent or mortgage, and all related costs (taxes, insurance, maintenance)
• Food: $280 to $320
• Utilities: $150 to $180
• Transportation: Spend a max of $150 (use public transport when available)
• Healthcare: $200 to $250
• Remaining $200 to $300 for discretionary spending, personal care items, and an emergency cushion

Other valuable tips

Retirees can stretch a $1,700 Social Security check by cutting certain expenses, downsizing to smaller homes, relocating to lower-cost areas, and reducing transportation expenses. You can also consider shared housing and eliminating debt before retirement.

Finally, as Zane suggests, consider using community resources such as senior tax breaks and utility assistance. A combination of these can significantly ease monthly budget pressure.

Bottom line

Living on a $1,700 monthly Social Security check is tight, but it isn't impossible. If you make the right moves, stretching $1,700 is possible with disciplined upfront budgeting, the use of available resources, and a clear understanding of where every dollar goes.

Another overlooked reality is that small savings can add up faster than expected. For example, cutting just $40 a month from insurance or utility bills frees up nearly $500 a year. This is enough to cover a medical copay, car repair, or even a few months of groceries on a fixed income. Financial advisors say retirees who succeed plan their spending before the month begins and regularly revisit expenses many people assume are fixed.

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