In which states do Social Security recipients get the most money?
Millions of people receive Social Security payments every month, but the check amounts vary. Learn about the states where recipients receive the most money.
Since 1940, the Social Security Administration has sent money to retired workers each month. The agency also sends checks for recipients of Supplemental Security Income, as well as disability and survivor payments.
Every month, millions of beneficiaries receive money from Social Security, but which states send the most?
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In which states do Social Security recipients get the most money?
Social Security benefit amounts are calculated based on a variety of criteria, including earnings history, employment history, age of person at the time of claim, current employment status, and total annual income, plus cost of living adjustment.
In 2023, thanks to the 8.7% increase in the COLA, the average payments of retirees nationwide are $1,827, the SSA revealed in January. However, the average amount varies from state to state. These are the states that receive the most money from Social Security, according to an analysis by GOBankingRates taking into account the money they receive and the number of beneficiaries.
- California
- Florida
- Texas
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Michigan
- Illinois
- Ohio
- North Carolina
- Georgia
Since SSA is based on earnings during years worked, it stands to reason that in earning states, retirees are more likely to receive higher Social Security payments.
It is important to note that beneficiaries in each state do not receive the same amount, as payments are calculated on an individual basis based on the “Primary Insurance Amount”. In addition, the amount of benefits is affected by the age of the beneficiaries, as well as the increase in the cost of living adjustment.
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Social Security: what will payments be like in 2024?
Each year, the Social Security Administration announces the cost of living adjustment that will be applied to the following year for Social Security benefits. The COLA represents an increase in checks being sent each month.
For 2024, some experts expect a smaller increase than in 2023 (8.7%). According to the estimate of The Senior Citizens League, shared in May, the Social Security COLA for 2024 could be 3.1%. Taking into account that the average monthly check is $1,827 this 2023, with a 3.1% increase, would be around $1,883 in 2024.
However, this estimate is only preliminary and is subject to change. The official COLA for 2024 will be announced in October of this year and would take effect in December. The new increase would begin to apply to payments in January of next year for Social Security recipients.