These 10 States Have The Highest Social Security Benefits Among Retirees

More than 71 million Americans collect Social Security, and for most households, it is the primary source of retirement income. According to the Social Security Administration's (SSA) 2025 Statistical Supplement, the average monthly benefit for 2024 was $1,975.34. Factoring in the annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) — 2.5% for 2025 and 2.8% for 2026, the average monthly benefit rises to $2,024.72 for 2025 and $2,081.42 for 2026. However, the average benefit varies significantly depending on where you live. Retirees in some states collect benefits that are hundreds of dollars more than those in other states.

Social Security is calculated using a two-step process: first, it looks at your highest 35 years of earnings and adjusts them for changes in wages over time. Then it uses a formula to figure out your monthly benefit. The actual amount you receive can be higher or lower, depending on the age at which you claim benefits. Every year, the SSA increases the monthly benefit amount of the COLA based on the current and previous year's Consumer Price Index. This ensures that benefits keep pace with inflation, but they also magnify the differences between states. A 2.8% raise on a $2,200 benefit, the amount seen in the highest-paying states, is more in dollar terms than the same percentage applied to a $1,800 benefit, the amount seen in the lowest-paying states.

Social Security Administration data highlights the states where retirees collect the highest average Social Security benefits. Seven of the states are on the East or West Coast, reflecting the concentration of high-wage industries as well as the high cost of living in those regions. The other three states are in the Great Lakes or the Mountain West region, showing how industrial legacies, fast-growing economies, and state tax laws can shape Social Security benefits.

• 2024 Average benefit: $2,065
• 2024 Median benefit: $2,007 (12th in the country)

Utah may not be the first state that comes to mind when thinking about retirement, but its retirees are collecting some of the highest Social Security benefits in the nation. With an average monthly benefit of $2,065, Utah edges into the top ten, reflecting the state's rapid economic growth and strong labor force participation. The 2026 COLA will raise the average monthly benefit in Utah to about $2,177.

Utah has consistently ranked near the top nationally for median household income, with middle-income families earning more on average than their counterparts in most other states. When factoring in cost-of-living differences, Utah's median household income is the highest in the nation at $98,336 and nearly 27% above the U.S. average of $77,719, according to the University of Utah. Since benefits are calculated based on lifetime taxable earnings, this translates directly into higher Social Security checks,

The Beehive State's demographic profile helps explain its strong showing. Utah has the lowest percentage of Social Security recipients in the country, at 13.5%, indicating it is a young state. In addition, the state has the nation's largest average household size and one of the highest labor force participation rates. Bigger households often mean more working adults under one roof, which can boost the overall earning potential.

• 2024 Average benefit: $2,066
• 2024 Median benefit: $2,067 (6th in the country)

Michigan's retirees are still benefiting from the state's industrial past. The state's long history of unionized labor in the auto industry and related manufacturing sectors has helped boost lifetime earnings. For much of the 20th century, Michigan's auto plants offered stable, well-paying jobs with high benefits, which now translate into larger Social Security checks. 

The 2026 COLA will raise the average monthly benefit in the Great Lakes State to about $2,178. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS), Michigan's median household income is $72,389, ranking it 37th in the country and well below the national average of $81,604. However, collective bargaining helped secure higher wages and more stable employment for generations of Michigan workers, helping increase retirees' Social Security checks. While only about 15% of workers in Michigan are union members now, nearly 45% were unionized in 1964, showing how important organized labor once was to the state's economy.

Currently, 16 Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in the state. In addition, almost one in four Michigan residents (23.1%) receive Social Security benefits, ranking Michigan 11th in the country. Many retirees move to Michigan because the cost of living is lower than in many other states. For seniors on a fixed income, that means their Social Security checks stretch further. 

• 2024 Average benefit: $2,084
• 2024 Median benefit: $2,022 (8th in the country)

For decades, Massachusetts has been recognized as a national leader in education, healthcare, and innovation. Its world-class universities and research hubs have made it the 4th-strongest start-up ecosystem in the country. Boston is home to more than 3,200 startups, which is about 5% of all startups in the United States. The Greater Boston Area supports 32 unicorns (companies valued at $1 billion or more) and averages 68 startups per 100,000 residents, according to metrics. 

These industries have produced retirees with some of the highest Social Security benefits in the nation. Healthtech is the leading industry in the Boston Area. The state's economy is also led by world-class universities, hospitals, biotech firms, AI, and other high-paying sectors, all of which pay wages well above the national average. Workers in these sectors often spend decades in high-paying roles, boosting their lifetime taxable earnings and, by extension, their Social Security benefits, Boston.com notes.

The 2026 COLA will lift the average benefit in the Bay State to about $2,196 per month. Currently, 16 Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in the state. About 1 in 5 (18.9%) of Massachusetts residents receive Social Security benefits, ranking the state 36th in the country. The state's median household income is $104,828, ranking it number one in the nation. However, the cost-of-living in Massachusetts is also one of the highest in the country, offsetting the higher Social Security income.

• 2024 Average benefit: $2,095
• 2024 Median benefit: $2,053 (8th in the country)

Minnesota may be known for its lakes and long winters, but it also has one of the highest Social Security benefits in the country. The state's economy is diverse, with strengths in manufacturing, healthcare, and retail. It is home to 17 Fortune 500 companies, ranking it 5th in Fortune 500 concentration per capita and 3rd in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Companies like 3M, Target, Best Buy, and General Mills have long provided stable, well-paying jobs. Many of these positions were unionized, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, ensuring higher wages for workers. Over time, those earnings have translated into larger Social Security checks for retirees.

The 2026 COLA will raise the average benefit in the North Star State to about $2,208 per month. Almost 1 in 5 Minnesota residents (19.9%) receive Social Security benefits, ranking the state 34th in the country. The state's median household income is $87,117, ranking it 14th in the nation.

• 2024 Average benefit: $2,099
• 2024 Median benefit: $2,061 (7th in the country)

Washington State is home to some of the world's most influential companies. Currently, 17 Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in the state. The state's economy is driven by technology, aerospace, and trade. Companies like Microsoft, Amazon, Costco, and Boeing have created tens of thousands of high-paying jobs, and workers who spent their careers in these industries have earnings that directly translate into higher Social Security benefits. 

Currently, almost 1 out of 5 (18.3%) of those employed in the state is represented by unions, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Like Michigan in 1964, nearly 1 out of 2 employees (44.5%) in Washington were represented by a union, helping workers earn better wages and build stronger earnings histories.

The 2026 COLA will push the average benefit in the Evergreen State to about $2,212 per month. That's over $200 above the national average, providing retirees with an additional cushion against rising costs. Washington's lack of a state income tax attracts many retirees, allowing them to keep more of their benefits. About 18.7% receive Social Security benefits, ranking the state 42nd in the country. The state's median household income is $99,389, ranking it 7th in the nation.

• 2024 Average benefit: $2,140
• 2024 Median benefit: $2,084 (5th in the country)

Maryland's retirees enjoy some of the highest Social Security benefits in the country, thanks in large part to its proximity to Washington, D.C., and its concentration of federal government and defense contracting jobs. For decades, Maryland residents have worked in stable, high-paying roles tied to the federal government. These positions often come with strong pensions and benefits, but they also provide high taxable earnings that boost Social Security checks.

The 2026 COLA will raise the average benefit in the Old Line State to about $2,255 per month, according to data from the Social Security Administration. About 17.4% receive Social Security benefits, ranking the state 47th in the country. The state's median household income is $102,905, ranking it 3rd in the nation. Maryland also has a robust economy, a leader in industries such as vaccine development, medical technologies, quantum computing, and next-generation military defense weapons and systems. The state has a low unemployment rate of 1.8%, per the Maryland Comptroller. Federal jobs have historically offered job stability and higher pay, and those numbers are reflected in Social Security benefits.

• 2024 Average benefit: $2,171
• 2024 Median benefit: $2,139 (3rd in the country)

Delaware may be small in size, but it pays well in Social Security benefits. The state's corporate-heavy economy is the primary reason. More than 66% of Fortune 500 companies are incorporated in the First State, including Alphabet, Amazon, Walmart, AT&T, and many more. In 2024, over 81% of U.S.-based initial public offerings (IPOs) were based in Delaware, according to the state. Delaware is home to 2.1 million incorporated businesses, and its workforce has long been concentrated in finance, insurance, and professional services. In comparison, California, which has nearly 40 times as many people as Delaware, has 1.7 million businesses. Delaware's laws make it one of the most business-friendly states in the country. 

The 2026 COLA will lift the average benefit in Delaware to about $2,287 per month. About 23.6% receive Social Security benefits, ranking the state 5th in the country. The state's median household income is $87,534, ranking it 13th in the nation. Delaware's tax-friendly and low-cost environment means retirees can live comfortably on their benefits. The state does not tax Social Security income, has no state or local sales tax, and features some of the lowest property tax rates in the nation, allowing retirement income to stretch further.

The state's overall cost of living is below the national average, including affordable housing, utilities, and groceries compared to neighboring states. Retirees in Delaware can also exclude a certain amount of their retirement income, like a pension or 401(k) income, from state income tax, making it a highly favorable place for retirees to live on a fixed income like Social Security. These factors make Delaware one of the best states to retire in.

• 2024 Average benefit: $2,184
• 2024 Median benefit: $2,121 (4th in the country)

For a state with a relatively small population, New Hampshire's average monthly Social Security benefit is remarkable. New Hampshire's high income is largely due to its highly educated workforce and proximity to the Boston area. Cities like Manchester, Salem, and Hudson are along the border with Massachusetts, making it easy for many residents to commute.

New Hampshire's tax policies also make it attractive for retirees. The state has no income tax on wages and does not tax Social Security benefits, allowing residents to keep more of their income. Many people choose to live in the Granite State to be close to Boston while paying no state sales tax. Nearly 1 in 4 residents (24.3%) receive Social Security benefits, ranking the state 7th in the country. Combined with higher-than-average checks, this makes New Hampshire retirees receive some of the highest Social Security benefits in the country. 

In addition, factors such as the growth of remote work opportunities and an influx of higher-earning retirees have increased household incomes in the state, especially in its southeastern and rural areas, per the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute. The 2026 COLA will raise the average benefit in New Hampshire to about $2,300 per month. The state's median household income is $99,782, ranking it 6th in the nation.

• 2024 Average benefit: $2,190
• 2024 Median benefit: $2,172 (2nd in the country)

New Jersey ranks second nationally, with retirees collecting an average monthly Social Security benefit of $2,190, per Kiplinger data. The state's dense concentration of high-income earners in pharmaceuticals, finance, and technology has helped retirees collect some of the largest checks in the country. New Jersey is home to 15 Fortune 500 companies. For decades, employees in major pharmaceutical companies, financial institutions, and technology firms have earned salaries well above the national average. New Jersey is also close to NYC, with many residents commuting to the city. 

The 2026 COLA will raise the average benefit in New Jersey to about $2,308 per month. About 18.3% receive Social Security benefits, ranking the state 44th in the country. The state's median household income is $104,294, ranking it 2nd in the nation. New Jersey also has a high unionized population, with 17.4% of word represented by one. 

While New Jersey's high cost of living, particularly its high property taxes, can offset some the high Social Security checks, the state's retirees still enjoy a significant advantage. The state does not tax Social Security benefits, helping stretch every dollar for those on a fixed income.

• 2024 Average benefit: $2,196
• 2024 Median benefit: $2,159 (1st in the country)

Connecticut tops the list, with retirees collecting an average monthly Social Security benefit of $2,196, $400 more than in Mississippi and $200 more than the national average. Connecticut is one of the wealthiest states in the country, due to its well-educated workforce, proximity to major economic hubs such as NYC and Boston, and, although a small state, it is home to 15 Fortune 500 companies. 

The state is a leader in insurance (The Cigna Group, The Hartford, W.R. Berkley, Synchrony Financial), financial services (Synchrony Financial), technology and software (Xerox, Charter Communications), and many more. Workers in these industries tend to earn salaries well above the national average, boosting their lifetime taxable earnings and, by extension, their Social Security benefits.

The Constitution State also has a high unionized population, with 17.8% workers represented by one, according to the Connecticut State Library. The 2026 COLA will raise the average benefit in Connecticut to about $2,314 per month. About 20.1% receive Social Security benefits, ranking the state 31st in the country. The state's median household income is $96,049, ranking it 10th in the nation. Connecticut, however, has one of the highest costs of living in the country, particularly for housing. So, despite Connecticut having the highest Social Security benefits in the nation, it may not go as far as in other states with lower living expenses.