Retirees in These 10 States Get the Most From Social Security

By Kailey Hagen, CFP – Feb 14, 2026 at 4:30PM ESTKey PointsMany of the states with the largest Social Security benefits are clustered in New England.Estimated benefits in each of the top 10 states exceed $2,100 per month.Understanding how the government calculates your checks can help you boost your future benefits.We’re bullish on these 10 stocks ›Checks like these could make for a much more comfortable retirement.Living off Social Security alone isn't easy, no matter where you live, but it can look quite different from one state to the next. For some, it means scraping by on less than $1,900 per month, while for others, checks go much further. Here's a closer look at which states have the largest average monthly benefits, according to data from the Social Security Administration. Image source: Getty Images. The 10 states with the largest Social Security benefits Seniors in the following 10 states have the largest average Social Security benefits, as of 2024. The table below also includes estimates for what their average 2026 benefits might look like after adding in the 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2025 and the 2.8% COLA for 2026.

State Average Monthly Benefit (2024) Estimated Monthly Benefit (2026) New Hampshire $2,359.50 $2,486.21 Connecticut $2,342.20 $2,467.98 Maryland $2,297.26 $2,420.62 New Jersey $2,291.59 $2,414.65 Delaware $2,251.59 $2,372.50 Massachusetts $2,243.46 $2,363.93 Minnesota $2,228.27 $2,347.93 Washington $2,210.17 $2,328.86 Rhode Island $2,192.99 $2,310.75 Virginia $2,178.00 $2,294.96 Data source: Social Security Administration. Calculations and chart by author. While some states have higher averages in part because of higher average incomes, residents of any state can beat the benefits shown above. Understanding the factors that go into your benefit calculation is a good first step. Once you know what affects your checks, you can make moves to maximize them so you can enjoy the most comfortable retirement possible.Read NextFeb 14, 2026 •By Maurie Backman3 Signs You're Better Off Delaying RetirementFeb 14, 2026 •By Christy BieberSocial Security Decisions Often Hinge on One Uncomfortable QuestionFeb 14, 2026 •By Kailey Hagen, CFPHere's Exactly How the New Senior Tax Deduction WorksFeb 14, 2026 •By Maurie Backman2 Reasons I'll Be Taking Social Security Long Before Age 70Feb 14, 2026 •By Kailey Hagen, CFPWhat's the Ideal Age to Start Saving for Retirement?Feb 14, 2026 •By Selena Maranjian4 Social Security Changes Retirees Need to Know About in 2026About the AuthorKailey Hagen, CFP, is a contributing Motley Fool retirement analyst covering Social Security, Medicare, and retirement planning.

Before The Motley Fool, Kailey was a research analyst for Reviews.com focusing on credit and banking products. She is a Certified Financial Planner® and holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.TMFKailey