10 States Where Retirees Get The Highest Social Security Benefits (And 11 Where They Get The Least)

As of July 2026, the average Social Security retirement beneficiary receives approximately $2,086 per month. Since your monthly benefit will likely play a major role as you prepare yourself financially for retirement, you should consider how the average Social Security check varies by state and what factors drive these differences across regions.

Below are the 10 states with the highest Social Security benefits for retirees and the 10 with the lowest, along with important details on how your senior benefits are calculated regardless of location.

What goes into determining Social Security benefits?

No matter where you live, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has a specific formula for determining how much your retirement benefit will be. Your claiming age will also play a role.

First, it looks at your 35 highest-earning years to compute an inflation-adjusted average. It then considers that number and your birthdate to calculate your primary insurance amount (PIA), which is the full amount you're eligible for at your full retirement age (FRA), which is 67 for those born in 1960 and later.

You can claim benefits as early as age 62, but doing so results in a permanent reduction of up to 30%. If you delay claiming benefits past your FRA and up to age 70, you'll get an 8% delayed retirement credit every 12 months, which permanently boosts your benefit.

And once you start receiving benefits, an annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) often increases your amount and helps to offset inflation.

The 10 states with the highest Social Security benefits

Below are the 10 states where retirees earn the highest average Social Security benefits in 2026. These estimates are based on the 2025 figures provided in the SSA's 2026 Annual Statistical Supplement, updated for the COLAs of 2.5% in 2025 and 2.8% in 2026.

Retirees in these 10 states receive between $63 and $222 more per month than the national average.

Many of these states are in the Northeast, with the remainder in the West and Midwest. Most also have above-average living costs and household incomes, with Massachusetts topping the list for both.

The 11 states with the lowest Social Security benefits

On the flipside, here are the 11 states where Social Security retirement beneficiaries get the least:

Retirees in these states receive $78 to $196 less than the national average benefit. These states are generally located in the South or in other rural parts of the U.S. with lower populations. All except Maine also have below-average costs of living, meaning retirees might stretch smaller checks further. For example, Mississippi has the second-lowest cost of living in the country.

Why Social Security benefits can vary by state

Since the same benefit calculation formula and factors are used to determine your Social Security benefit amount, you won't automatically receive more or less than someone else just because you live in a certain state. However, some economic and demographic factors can explain why benefits vary by location.

Since employees' earnings histories impact the calculation, states with above-average wages tend to have higher benefit amounts. These workers are more likely to hold higher-paying jobs, which helps boost their benefit amount since the SSA considers their highest 35 years of earnings. The opposite is true in states with below-average incomes and high poverty rates, as workers would likely see lower lifetime earnings.

Additionally, the number of retirees moving in or out of a state can skew the state's average Social Security benefit, though the actual checks those retirees receive won't change due to the move. For example, if someone with a higher check moves out, this can lower the state's average benefit, while someone with a lower check moving into a high average benefit state can push that state's average down.

But the numbers don't indicate retirement affordability

When looking at the state averages, keep in mind that a bigger check doesn't guarantee that retirees enjoy a more comfortable life or have fewer financial struggles. Cost of living is an important consideration. A smaller check in one of the Southern states with lower benefits might stretch further than a larger check in the Northeast.

For example, a 2026 AARP analysis using 2024 data listed 10 states in which the average Social Security benefit covered the largest share of basic monthly expenses. Interestingly, that list included a couple of states from the tables above: West Virginia (with the sixth-lowest benefit) and Delaware (with the fourth-highest benefit).

Additionally, although many retirees rely heavily on Social Security, other income sources are usually necessary to cover expenses in retirement. This includes having sufficient retirement savings and considering other opportunities, such as a part-time job, rental property, or income from a working spouse.

Maximize Social Security benefits in any state

No matter how your state ranks for its average Social Security benefit, you can take a few steps to ensure you get the largest check possible.

First, make the most of your working years by boosting your income as much as possible, which will count toward your 35 highest-earning years for your benefit calculation. This could include strategically changing jobs, seeking promotions, working overtime, or adding a side gig for extra income. In any case, check that your earnings appear accurately on your Social Security statement.

And when it comes time to claim benefits, choose your retirement age carefully. If you retire before your FRA, you'll get up to a 30% smaller check for the rest of your life. On the other hand, delaying benefits past your FRA up to age 70 gives you an 8% annual boost. You can check your Social Security statement for projected numbers.

Bottom line

While knowing how Social Security benefits vary by state can be interesting, you shouldn't build your retirement plan around these numbers. Instead, estimate your retirement expenses, review your Social Security projections, and take steps to maximize your benefits while you can.

Keep in mind your location can affect affordability in retirement. So, if you're considering a move, look for retirement-friendly states with low taxes, reasonable costs of living, and amenities that suit your lifestyle.

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