In 2023, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden collected more than $64,000 in Social Security benefits, a noteworthy sum given their high-profile positions and legal salaries. Their tax returns, released to the Presidency Project at the University of California, Santa Barbara, revealed that they received a combined $64,254 from Social Security that year. This income breakdown was shared as part of their official tax filings during Joe Biden’s four-year term as president.
Joe Biden, at the age of 80, received $42,842 in Social Security payments, while Jill Biden, 72 years old, received the remaining $21,412. For context, the average monthly Social Security benefit in December 2023 was reported to be $1,767.03. Jill Biden’s benefits were close to the average, while Joe Biden’s amount came to roughly double that average, amounting to about $3,570.16 per month. This figure reflects the couple’s income from Social Security, which, while notable, is just a portion of their total earnings.
While the president’s legal salary is $400,000, Joe Biden’s total income for the year—including expenses—was reported at $569,000. Alongside Social Security income, the Bidens’ total income for 2023 reached $619,976. This figure includes their earnings from both public service and Social Security payments, along with income from other sources.
The Bidens paid a total of $146,629 in taxes, which includes federal taxes as well as state taxes from Delaware and Virginia, where they reside and own property. The Bidens also rented a private residence in McLean, Virginia, which was reflected in their tax filings.
Social Security benefits, which are available to individuals 62 and older or those who qualify due to a disability or blindness, are an essential part of the social safety net in the United States. The benefits depend on various factors, including work credits, which differ based on age and disability status. For most, Social Security serves as a crucial source of income, particularly for older individuals.
For Joe and Jill Biden, the Social Security benefits serve as an additional layer of financial support, supplementing their considerable earnings from their public service roles. While their Social Security income may not be their primary source of funding, it underscores the significance of Social Security as a financial lifeline for many Americans, even those in high-profile positions.
