Not California or Florida: these are the five states that will have average Social Security checks of more than $2,200 in 2026

Retirees often assume the biggest Social Security checks flow to large, high-cost states such as California or Florida. But the Social Security Administration’s most recent annual supplement points elsewhere. And with the 2025 cost-of-living adjustment pushing benefits up another 2.8%, several states are now projected to deliver average monthly payments above $2,200 in 2026, thanks largely to residents’ higher lifetime earnings.

Which states have the highest average SS payout for 2026?

Connecticut retirees already topped the 2024 rankings with an average monthly check of $2,196.15. With a 2.7% COLA applied, the state’s average benefit is expected to climb toward $2,257 next year. Connecticut also remains among the states with the highest share of retirees receiving more than $3,000 a month.

New Jersey retirees averaged $2,190.05 in 2024, and New Hampshire retirees averaged $2,183.82. Factoring in the confirmed adjustment, both states will see their typical monthly checks comfortably exceed $2,200 in 2026. Their strong positions reflect decades of above-average earnings among workers approaching retirement age.

Delaware’s 2024 average of $2,170.63 and Maryland’s $2,139.54 also rise meaningfully with a 2.8% COLA. That places Delaware over $2,230 next year and Maryland on the $2,200 headline number. All five states share similar economic profiles: higher lifetime wages, longer careers and strong employer coverage during working years.

“My top priority is to transform SSA into a model of excellence — an organization that operates at peak efficiency and delivers outstanding service to every American,” – Commissioner Frank Bisignano.https://t.co/SSUnIChLb7

— SocialSecurity_Press (@SSAPress) July 16, 2025

Eligibility changes could reshape state averages

The Social Security Fairness Act expanded access to benefits in 2025, adding an estimated 3.2 million new recipients. Combined with a surge in retirement applications, these changes may alter state-by-state averages as new beneficiaries with varied earnings histories enter the system. At the same time, ongoing turnover among older beneficiaries also adjusts each state’s mix.

The SSA stresses that statewide averages are indicators, not promises. An individual’s 2026 payments still depend on personal earnings, work history and retirement age. For a clearer projection, retirees can use the agency’s benefits calculator to estimate their own checks.

Not California or Florida: these are the five states that will have average Social Security checks of more than $2,200 in 2026

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