Retirees in different American states depend on Social Security benefits to spend their post-retirement years comfortably. While the social security benefits are determined based on numerous factors, every state receives an average amount.
According to the latest GOBankingRates report, here’s a list of 15 American states that pay the highest average social security benefits.
New Jersey
Social security benefits in New Jersey include multiple types of benefits, including family, retirement, disability, and supplemental security income. While the social security payment depends on various factors, the average is $1,708/month, the highest of all states. New Jersey has 1,652,973 beneficiaries and pays approximately $2,823,697,000 in total benefits.
Connecticut
The second state with the highest social security payments is Connecticut, with an average payment of $1,706/month. There are talks about passing federal legislation to provide full benefits to public service workers. If the bill gets approved, many people can see a $600 jump in their monthly social security payments. The state currently pays nearly $1,193,327,000 in total benefits to 699,597 beneficiaries.
Delaware
Delaware has 229,047 social security beneficiaries, and the state spends approximately $387,905,000 in total payments. While Delaware residents receive an average social security payment of $1,694/month, it can increase soon. President Joe Biden has approved stripping provisions that trimmed hundreds of dollars in benefits for retirees with public pensions, so expect increased payments from this year.
New Hampshire
The average monthly benefits paid in New Hampshire is $1,659/month. While retirees, people with disability, etc., directly receive social security benefits in their accounts, it wasn’t the case with foster kids. However, it may change soon, and they can be added to the current list of 321,925 beneficiaries. New Hampshire currently pays $534,012,000 in total social security payments, which can significantly increase after the proposed changes get approved.
Maryland
Maryland spends $1,710,224,000 in total benefits to nearly 1,038,041 beneficiaries. It includes payments for social security benefits, like supplemental security income, disability, retirement, and survivor. The precise payment made to individuals depends on various factors, but people receive an average of $1,648.
Washington
The average social security payment in Washington is $1,630. Residents in this state receive social security benefits in multiple forms, such as disability benefits, supplemental security income, retirement benefits, etc. Washington currently has approximately 1,413,306 social security beneficiaries and pays almost $2,303,623,000 in total benefits.
Minnesota
If you’re entitled to retirement benefits, supplemental security income, survival benefits, or disability benefits in Minnesota, expect to receive an average of $1,622 in social security payments every month. While it may seem low after factoring in the cost-of-living expenses, it is a decent amount, considering only a portion of this receipt is taxable. The state currently spends nearly $1,756,202,000 in total benefits to 1,082,519 beneficiaries.
Michigan
Michigan pays eligible beneficiaries an average social security benefit of $1,603/month. The state has a registered list of 2,253,295 beneficiaries, and they are set to receive increased payments from this year. The Social Security Administration announced a hike of 2.5% as a cost-of-living allowance, helping millions of beneficiaries cope with the rising inflation. The state spends approximately $3,611,694,000 in total payments, which will increase due to the inflation adjustment increase.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts pays an average of $1,592/month as social security benefits to nearly 1,295,088 beneficiaries. While the state spends $2,061,173,000 in total payments, the amount is set to increase from 2025. President Joe Biden has approved the Social Security Fairness Act. This bill allows retired public educators and other public sector workers to receive full federal retirement benefits, which was previously prohibited because of the federal retirement policy’s Government Pension Offset and Windfall Exemption Policy components.
Wyoming
Wyoming spends approximately $192,021,000 in total benefits to 120,816 social security beneficiaries. While the precise social security benefit depends on multiple factors like work history, age, debts, etc., eligible individuals receive an average payment of $1,589/month.
Virginia
Virginia is home to 1,598,078 social security beneficiaries who receive an average payment of $1,589 every month. From 2025, some retirees can receive increased benefits as President Joe Biden signs Spanberger’s law to remove caps on some retirees’ social security benefits. The state currently spends $2,538,995,000 in total benefits, and the recent bill approval will increase this spending starting in 2025.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s average social security payment is $1,589. Pennsylvania currently spends $4,573,216,000 in total benefits to nearly 2,878,165 social security beneficiaries. Beneficiaries, especially public service workers like teachers, firefighters, etc., can receive increased benefits from 2025, based on their work and pension history.
Kansas
Kansas pays approximately $910,400,000 in total social security benefits to 573,476 beneficiaries. The state pays an average social security payment of $1,588 to eligible beneficiaries. While the benefit amount may appear small to some retirees, the tax cut package approved by the Kansas Legislature will translate into more money in seniors’ pockets.
Wisconsin
People in Wisconsin receive decent social security payments, averaging $1,587/month. While the state spends approximately $2,046,456,000 in total social security benefits to 1,289,260 beneficiaries, the maximum possible benefit payment will increase in 2025 after inflation-related adjustments. After the increase, those retiring at full age will receive nearly $4,018 instead of the old $3,822 monthly payment.
Colorado
The average social security payment in Colorado is similar to that of Wisconsin at $1,587/month. Colorado pays $1,467,937,000 in total benefit payments to approximately 925,084 beneficiaries. While the state may not provide the highest average in security payments, beneficiaries aged 55 and above can have more money in their account as California expands its law exempting certain social security income starting in 2025.
