Social Security recipients are set to receive a slight increase in 2026.<\/p>\n
Social Security and Supplemental Security Income recipients will receive a 2.8% Cost of Living Adjustment <\/a>in 2026. That\u2019s a slight increase from last year\u2019s 2.5% COLA but less than the 3.2% boost recipients received in 2023.<\/p>\n More than 71 million Social Security beneficiaries will see the increase on their January 2026 payment. Increased payments for 7.5 million SSI recipients will start on Dec. 31, 2025 since the normal payment date \u2013 Jan. 1, 2026 \u2013 is a holiday.<\/p>\n the <\/p>\n The change will increase benefits by $56 a month for the average recipient.<\/p>\n Where are Social Security checks the highest?<\/p>\n Social Security benefits vary by person and are determined by previous earnings, the number of years they worked and the age at which they retired. However, as a report in The Hill pointed out, <\/a>the Social Security Administration\u2019s Annual Statistical Supplement breaks down benefits by state and shows a range of payments.<\/p>\n The report covers benefits paid in 2024, so the 2025 COLA is not included.<\/p>\n The top 10 states with the highest average monthly Social Security benefits were:<\/p>\n Connecticut – $2,196.15 New Jersey – $2,190.05New Hampshire – $2,183.82Delaware- $2,170.63Maryland – $2,139.54Washington – $2,099.38Minnesota – $2,095.13Massachusetts – $2,084.32Michigan – $2,066.03Utah – $2,065.18<\/p>\n The 10 states with the lowest average monthly Social Security benefit were<\/p>\n Mississippi – $1,814.24Louisiana – $1,818.40Arkansas – $1,852.07New Mexico – $1,865.12Kentucky – $1,865.76Montana – $1886.95Maine – $1,888.67West Virginia – $1,898.05Nevada – $1,906.36Alaska – $1,906.99<\/p>\n Alabama\u2019s average monthly Social Security benefit is $1,920.20, the 12th lowest in the country.<\/p>\n