Which States receive the most Social Security?
It should come as no surprise that the most-populous states are also the ones that receive the most in Social Security benefits overall. Here’s a look…
The Social Security Administration handles a number of programs that provide Americans with monthly payments. Most widely known is the retirement fund, which if not fixed will have to reduce payments in thirteen years.
But there are also programs to assist those who have been injured or harmed by the job and can no longer earn a living from that work or family members of workers who have died. The amount that beneficiaries can claim depends on several factors, but mainly comes down to how much a worker has put into the fund and when recipients begin to draw benefits.
There is also a program to help older adults and people with disabilities who have very limited income called Supplemental Security Income. All but four states, Arizona, Mississippi, North Dakota and West Virginia, and the Northern Mariana Islands boost these funds for residents.
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The ten states that receive the most Social Security
The ten most populous states in the US are also the ones that receive the most in Social Security benefits overall. However, demographics vary among states so the ranking of benefits amounts doesn’t necessarily align with the overall population of each state in the top ten. Here’s a look according to December 2021 data from the Social Security Administration.
California
The Golden State is the most populous state in the US with some 39 million residents in 2022. In California there are 6,166,205 people receiving Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance, or OASDI. The Social Security Administration sent over $9.3 billion in monthly checks to these individuals for an average of about $1,515 per recipient.
Another 1,146,493 receive Supplemental Security Income, 462,217 receive OASDI at the same time. The federal government pays an average of $674 per recipient for a total of over $773 million.
Florida
The Sunshine State is the third most populous state in the US with nearly 22 million residents in 2022. In Florida there are 4,909,642 people receiving OASDI. The Social Security Administration sent almost $7.6 billion in monthly checks to these individuals for an average of about $1,543 per recipient.
Another 559,875 receive Supplemental Security Income, 182,203 receive OASDI at the same time. The federal government pays an average of $509 per recipient for a total of nearly $331 million.
Texas
The Lone Star State is the second most populous state in the US approaching 30 million residents in 2022. In Texas there are 4,475,805 people receiving OASDI. The Social Security Administration sent around $6.7 billion in monthly checks to these individuals for an average of about $1,489 per recipient.
Another 607,873 receive Supplemental Security Income, 206,107 receive OASDI at the same time. The federal government pays an average of $572 per recipient for a total of over $348 million.
New York
The Empire State is the fourth most populous state in the US with some 19 million residents in 2022. In New York there are 3,680,521 people receiving OASDI. The Social Security Administration sent just over $5.8 billion in monthly checks to these individuals for an average of about $1,577 per recipient.
Another 583,442 receive Supplemental Security Income, 188,917 receive OASDI at the same time. The federal government pays an average of $597 per recipient for a total of over $348 million.
Pennsylvania
The Keystone State is the fifth most populous state in the US with almost 13 million residents in 2022. In Pennsylvania there are 2,878,165 people receiving OASDI. The Social Security Administration sent nearly $4.6 billion in monthly checks to these individuals for an average of about $1,588 per recipient.
Another 335,583 receive Supplemental Security Income, 95,985 receive OASDI at the same time. The federal government pays an average of $602 per recipient for a total of over $208 million.
Ohio
The Buckeye State is the seventh most populous state in the US approaching 12 million residents in 2022. In Ohio there are 2,409,265 people receiving OASDI. The Social Security Administration sent almost $3.6 billion in monthly checks to these individuals for an average of about $1,493 per recipient.
Another 297,360 receive Supplemental Security Income, 86,350 receive OASDI at the same time. The federal government pays an average of $619 per recipient for a total of over $184 million.
Illinois
The Prairie State is the sixth most populous state in the US with some 12.5 million residents in 2022. In Illinois there are 2,271,926 people receiving OASDI. The Social Security Administration sent around $3.6 billion in monthly checks to these individuals for an average of about $1,569 per recipient.
Another 251,667 receive Supplemental Security Income, 72,046 receive OASDI at the same time. The federal government pays an average of $616 per recipient for a total of almost $155 million.
Michigan
The Great Lakes State is the tenth most populous state in the US approaching 10 million residents in 2022. In Michigan there are 2,253,295 people receiving OASDI. The Social Security Administration sent roughly $3.6 billion in monthly checks to these individuals for an average of about $1,602 per recipient.
Another 256,662 receive Supplemental Security Income, 79,375 receive OASDI at the same time. The federal government pays an average of $622 per recipient for a total of nearly $160 million.
North Carolina
The Tar Heel State is the ninth most populous state in the US with close to 11 million residents in 2022. In North Carolina there are 2,202,898 people receiving OASDI. The Social Security Administration sent almost $3.4 billion in monthly checks to these individuals for an average of about $1,538 per recipient.
Another 221,382 receive Supplemental Security Income, 74,839 receive OASDI at the same time. The federal government pays an average of $588 per recipient for a total of just over $130 million.
Georgia
The Peach State is the eighth most populous state in the US with almost 11 million residents in 2022. In Georgia there are 1,918,848 people receiving OASDI. The Social Security Administration sent roughly $2.9 billion in monthly checks to these individuals for an average of about $1,495 per recipient.
Another 252,364 receive Supplemental Security Income, 81,977 receive OASDI at the same time. The federal government pays an average of $602 per recipient for a total of nearly $152 million.