Here's Every State's Average Social Security Check for 2020
Retirees on Social Security need to use strategies to maximize their benefits — because the typical payments can be pretty small.
The program's annual cost-of-living raise is on the teensy side for 2020 — just 1.6% — and it will leave seniors with an average benefit of $1,503 per month, or $18,036 for the full year.
But there can be big differences in Social Security from one state to another.
Here, we lay out the average Social Security payouts for all 50 states and the District of Columbia in 2020.
Our methodology: We took Social Security's most current data on monthly benefits and retired workers per state to determine the average monthly benefit for a retired worker in each state during 2018. To those results, we added 2.8%, representing Social Security's cost-of-living increase for 2019. Then, to those results, we added 1.6% — the cost-of-living increase for 2020 — to determine the average benefit for a retired worker in each state during 2020.
Alabama
2020 average annual benefit: $17,988
In Alabama, the roughly 709,400 retirees who collect benefits will get an average $1,498.98 per month in 2020, which works out to $17,987.76 for the year. Benefits in the state are lower than the national average.
The Social Security Administration says half of elderly retired couples nationwide and 70% of single retirees rely on Social Security for 50% or more of their income.
Alaska
2020 average annual benefit: $17,556
Officials say more than 72,000 Alaska retirees collect Social Security. The state's average benefit for 2020 will be $1,462.96 per month, which works out to $17,555.52 over the course of the year. Alaska is another state where Social Security checks are below the U.S. average.
Like all other residents of Alaska, retirees in the Last Frontier also receive annual payments from the state's oil wealth fund. The 2019 amount per person was $1,606.
Arizona
2020 average annual benefit: $18,693
In Arizona — another state that draws large numbers of older Americans — about 993,000 retired workers who receive Social Security will collect benefits in 2020 averaging $1,557.74 per month, which is higher than the national average.
Multiply by 12 and you get an average annual income for 2020 of $18,692.88.
Arkansas
2020 average annual benefit: $17,382
In Arkansas, roughly 439,600 retirees collect benefits from Social Security. They'll receive an average $1,448.48 per month in 2020, which works out to $17,381.76 for the full year. The payments in Arkansas are below the U.S. average.
Social Security dates back to the Great Depression. President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law in 1935, establishing what was then called a system of federal "old-age benefits."
California
2020 average annual benefit: $17,954
In America's most populous state, some 4.3 million retirees who collect Social Security can expect to receive an average $1,496.13 per month from the program in 2020, or $17,953.56 over the course of the year. California is another state where benefits are below average for the U.S.
The number of older people on Social Security in California is greater than the entire populations of almost half the states.
Colorado
2020 average annual benefit: $18,442
In Colorado an estimated 639,000 retirees collect benefits from Social Security. The average amount for 2020 will be $1,536.82 per month, or $18,441.84 for the full year — above the national average.
You'll find Colorado on the list of the 13 states that collect taxes on Social Security benefits, AARP says.
Connecticut
2020 average annual benefit: $20,202
In Connecticut, nearly 502,000 retirees collect benefits that in 2020 will average $1,683.52 per month, or $20,202.24 for the year. The typical payment here is well above the national average of $1,503 per month.
Connecticut is the last of the 13 states that collect taxes on Social Security benefits, AARP says.
Delaware
2020 average annual benefit: $19,854
Delaware's roughly 150,000 retired Social Security recipients in 2020 will collect benefits averaging $1,654.54 per month, which is well above the national average of $1,503.
That works out to Social Security payments averaging $19,854.48 for all of 2020.
District of Columbia
2020 average annual benefit: $17,713
In the District of Columbia, more than 57,000 retirees collect Social Security benefits. In 2020, they'll get an average $1,476.07 per month, or $17,712.84 for the entire year — which are below-average amounts for the U.S.
A person can claim Social Security starting at age 62, but when you claim early, your monthly payment is permanently reduced by as much as 30%.
Florida
2020 average annual benefit: $18,195
In Florida — often considered America's retirement capital — close to 3.4 million retirees receive Social Security benefits. They'll get $1,516.23 per month in 2020, which is over the national average.
That calculates to $18,194.76 in benefits for all of 2020.
Georgia
2020 average annual benefit: $18,007
The estimated 1.2 million Georgians on Social Security can anticipate payments in 2020 averaging $1,500.60 per month.
The math on that works out to an average annual income of $18,007.20 — which is under the nationwide average.
Hawaii
2020 average annual benefit: $18,194
In Hawaii — one of the best states for retirement — around 211,800 retirees collect Social Security benefits. They'll receive an average $1,516.20 per month in 2020, which is above the U.S. average.
The monthly amount for Hawaiians works out to average benefits totaling $18,194.40 throughout 2020.
Idaho
2020 average annual benefit: $17,920
An estimated 247,600 older people in Idaho take Social Security, and their average benefit for 2020 will be $1,493.37 per month, or $17,920.44 for the year. Benefits in the Gem State are below average for the U.S.
Some seniors are lucky enough to supplement their retirement income with money from an employer-based pension, but pensions are becoming rarer and rarer.
Illinois
2020 average annual benefit: $18,691
In Illinois, close to 1.6 retirees collect benefits from Social Security. In 2020, they'll receive an average $1,557.59 per month, which is above the U.S. average.
That calculates to $18,691.08 in payments for all of 2020.
Indiana
2020 average annual benefit: $19,078
In Indiana, more than 921,226 retirees collect benefits that in 2020 will average $1,589.86 per month, which is over the national average.
That works out to an average yearly Social Security income of $19,078.32. Could you manage to live on that? Probably not, which is why it's vital to have savings to fall back on.
Iowa
2020 average annual benefit: $18,397
In Iowa, the roughly 470,700 retirees who collect Social Security will receive benefits in 2020 averaging $1,533.06 per month.
Multiply by 12 and you get an average annual benefit of $18,396.72. The typical payment in Iowa is over the national average.
Kansas
2020 average annual benefit: $18,952
In Kansas, about 391,300 retirees collect benefits that in 2020 will average $1,579.30 per month, or $18,951.60 for the entire year. Social Security payments here are above average for the U.S.
Kansas is another state in the group of 13 state that collect taxes on some Social Security benefits, according to AARP.
Kentucky
2020 average annual benefit: $17,463
Kentucky has about 599,600 retirees who take Social Security benefits, and they'll get an average $1,455.24 per month in 2020 — $17,462.88 for the year. Benefits in the Bluegrass State are lower than the national average.
Four and a half years after the Social Security Act became law, the first monthly benefit check was issued to a retired legal secretary in Ludlow, Vermont, named Ida May Fuller. She got $22.54 in January 1940, about $417 in today's dollars.
Louisiana
2020 average annual benefit: $17,077
According to the Social Security Administration's most current information, nearly 541,000 Louisiana retirees collect benefits from the program.
The math indicates they'll receive average payments in 2020 of $1,423.08 per month, which is below Social Security's estimated national average of $1,503. Multiply the monthly amount by 12 and you get an average annual benefit of $17,076.96 in the Pelican State.
Maine
2020 average annual benefit: $17,185
Maine has about 235,000 seniors who collect Social Security. In 2020, they'll receive average benefits of $1,432.06 per month, or $17,184.72 for the full year. The amounts are below the U.S. averages.
The government says Social Security payments represent at least 90% of income for about 1 in 5 elderly married couples throughout the U.S. and nearly half of unmarried seniors.
Maryland
2020 average annual benefit: $19,412
In Maryland, an estimated 721,000 retirees collect benefits from Social Security that in 2020 will average $1,617.70 per month, which is over the national average.
Multiply by 12 and you get an annual income of $19,412.40. But even with the the relatively high benefits here, there are plenty of reasons why you probably wouldn't want to retire to Maryland.
Massachusetts
2020 average annual benefit: $18,908
In Massachusetts, roughly 878,900 retirees take Social Security benefits that in 2020 will average $1,575.70 per month — higher than the national average.
That's equivalent to $18,908.40 a year.
Michigan
2020 average annual benefit: $19,442
In Michigan, about 1.5 million retired workers collect Social Security benefits that in 2020 will average $1,620.13 per month — above average for the U.S.
The math works out to an average annual income for 2020 of $19,441.56.
Minnesota
2020 average annual benefit: $19,069
In Minnesota, about 761,500 retirees are on Social Security. Their payments in 2020 will average $1,589.07 per month, or $19,068.84 for the full year — better than the U.S. average.
Minnesota is another of the 13 states that collect state income tax on Social Security benefits, according to AARP.
Mississippi
2020 average annual benefit: $17,161
Mississippi's roughly 416,500 retirees on Social Security will receive benefits in 2020 averaging $1,430.12 per month — or $17,161.44 for the entire year. Those numbers are below the national averages.
Around 90% of Americans 65 or older take Social Security benefits. Some choose to wait until they turn 70, the age at which you receive your maximum possible payouts.
Missouri
2020 average annual benefit: $18,035
In Missouri, roughly 873,500 retirees receive Social Security benefits that will average $1,502.92 per month in 2020, which is right about at what officials say will be the national average: $1,503. Retired Missourians are likely to receive $18,035.04 over the full year.
Missouri also is among the 13 states that tax the Social Security benefits of at least some retirees, according to AARP.
Montana
2020 average annual benefit: $17,380
Officials say approximately 172,000 Montana retirees receive Social Security benefits. In 2020, they'll get an average $1,448.33 per month, or $17,379.96 for the year — below the national average.
Montana is another of the 13 states that tax Social Security benefits, says AARP.
Nebraska
2020 average annual benefit: $18,403
In Nebraska, more than 250,000 retirees collect Social Security benefits that in 2020 will average $1,533.62 per month, or $18,403.44 for the year. The benefits in the Cornhusker State are above average for the U.S.
Nebraska is another of the 13 states that tax the Social Security benefits of at least some retirees, AARP says.
Nevada
2020 average annual benefit: $17,916
In Nevada, close to 396,600 retirees collect Social Security, and they can expect to receive an average $1,493.00 per month in 2020. That works out to $17,916.00 in benefits for the year, which is under the U.S. average.
Social Security typically makes up about a third of an older American's income, officials with the program say.
New Hampshire
2020 average annual benefit: $19,630
In New Hampshire, about 214,00 retirees collect Social Security payments that in 2020 will average $1,635.82 per month, or $19,629.84 for the full year. Benefits here are above average for the U.S.
A woman in Concord, New Hampshire, is in the history books for receiving the lowest Social Security number ever issued. In 1936, Grace Owen was given the number 001-01-0001.
New Jersey
2020 average annual benefit: $20,264
Retirees in the Garden State receive the largest average Social Security payments, according to the latest available data from the Social Security Administration and our calculations.
In New Jersey, close to 1.2 million retirees collect benefits, and in 2020 they'll receive an average $1,688.66 per month, or $20,263.92 over the course of the year.
New Mexico
2020 average annual benefit: $17,273
The estimated 297,000 older New Mexicans who are on Social Security will receive benefits in 2020 averaging $1,439.43 per month, which is under the national average of $1,503. The annual benefit for 2020 in this Southwestern state calculates to an average $17,273.16.
New Mexico is among 13 states that collect state taxes on Social Security benefits, according to AARP.
New York
2020 average annual benefit: $18,982
In New York more than 2.5 million retirees are on Social Security, and their benefits in 2020 will average $1,581.82 per month or $18,981.84 for the year. Benefits here are above average for the U.S.
A New Yorker received the first official Social Security number. It was 055-09-0001 — issued in 1936 to 23-year-old John Sweeney Jr. of New Rochelle, north of New York City.
North Carolina
2020 average annual benefit: $18,330
In North Carolina, about 1.5 million retirees collect Social Security, and they can expect payments in 2020 averaging $1,527.50 per month, or $18,330.00 for the full year — above the national average.
Americans are living longer and must rely on Social Security for longer periods. In 1940, a 65-year-old was expected to live almost 14 years, the Social Security Administration says. Today, that life expectancy is more than 20 years. A new financial product can provide financial support for retirees who live into their 90s.
North Dakota
2020 average annual benefit: $17,597
The estimated 96,700 retirees on Social Security in North Dakota will collect benefits in 2020 averaging $1,466.45 per month — or $17,597.40 for the year. Those amounts are below average for the U.S.
North Dakota is another of the 13 states that slap taxes on Social Security benefits, AARP says.
Ohio
2020 average annual benefit: $18,034
Roughly 1.6 million Ohio seniors collect Social Security, and their benefits for 2020 are likely to average $1,502.82 per month — close to the expected national average of $1,503. Next year's monthly amount in the Buckeye State works out to $18,033.84 for the year.
During November 2019, some 45 retired workers across the U.S. were receiving Social Security payments, officials say.
Oklahoma
2020 average annual benefit: $17,858
Oklahoma's estimated 522,800 retirees on Social Security will collect an average $1,488.19 per month in 2020, which means $17,858.28 for the full year — below the national average.
Puny Social Security benefits are an important reason for working Americans to save more — such as through 401(k) plans offered by employers.
Oregon
2020 average annual benefit: $18,357
Oregon has an estimated 640,700 retirees who collect Social Security benefits, and the payments in 2020 will average $1,529.75 per month or $18,357.00 throughout the year.
Benefits in the Beaver State are above average for the U.S. — but older Oregonians still need to stretch their retirement savings. An online financial adviser can help.
Pennsylvania
2020 average annual benefit: $18,994
In Pennsylvania, close to 2 million retired workers collect benefits that in 2020 will average $1,582.80 per month — which is above average for the U.S.
Multiply the Keystone State's monthly amount by 12 and you get $18,185.31 in Social Security income for all of 2020.
Rhode Island
2020 average annual benefit: $18,716
In Rhode Island, about 156,600 retirees collect Social Security benefits. The average amount for 2020 will be $1,559.68 per month, or $18,716.16 for the full year — above the U.S. average.
Rhode Island is another of the 13 states that tax Social Security benefits, according to AARP.
South Carolina
2020 average annual benefit: $18,499
In South Carolina, where more than 796,000 retired people are on Social Security, 2020's average benefit will be $1,541.59 per month.
That's equivalent to $18,499.08 for the whole year. The typical payment in the Palmetto State is above average for the U.S.
South Dakota
2020 average annual benefit: $17,499
The Social Security Administration says more than 133,040 retired workers in South Dakota collect benefits from the program. In 2020, their payments will average $1,458.26 per month, or $17,499.12 for the full year. Again, the national average benefit for 2020 will be $1,503 per month.
During her lifetime, Ida May Fuller — the very first Social Security beneficiary — collected a total of about $22,889 from the retirement program.
Tennessee
2020 average annual benefit: $18,175
In Tennessee, more than 964,000 retirees are on Social Security, and their benefits for 2020 will average $1,514.56 per month, or $18,174.72 for the year. Those amounts are slightly above average.
Investment income, maybe through an automated investing service, can help you get more out of life in retirement.
Texas
2020 average annual benefit: $17,941
In Texas, an estimated 2.8 million retirees collect payments from Social Security. The state's average benefit for 2020 will be $1,495.09 per month, or $17,941.08 for the full year — below the national average.
Money from an individual retirement account, also known as an IRA, can help you make ends meet in retirement — but you need to start saving as early as you can.
Utah
2020 average annual benefit: $18,810
In Utah, an estimated 285,000 retirees collect benefits that in 2020 will average $1,567.49 per month or $18,809.88 for the full year. Social Security payments here are above average for the U.S.
Utah is yet another of the 13 states that levy state taxes on Social Security benefits, AARP says.
Vermont
2020 average annual benefit: $18,571
In Vermont, more than 106,000 retirees collect benefits that will average $1,547.58 per month in 2020, or $18,570.96 for the full year. Social Security benefits in the Green Mountain State are higher than the U.S. average, which is $1,503 per month.
Vermont also is one of the 13 states that collect taxes on your Social Security, AARP says.
Virginia
2020 average annual benefit: $18,888
In Virginia, close to 1.1 million retired workers receive benefits from Social Security that in 2020 will average $1,574.00 per month, which is above the average for the U.S.
That works out to income of $18,888.00 for the full year.
Washington
2020 average annual benefit: $19,251
In Washington, approximately 970,010 retirees collect benefits that in 2020 will average $1,604.23 per month — above average for the U.S.
That calculates to an average annual income of $19,250.76.
West Virginia
2020 average annual benefit: $18,010
In West Virginia, roughly 286,000 retirees on Social Security can expect to receive benefits in 2020 averaging $1,500.81 per month, or $18,009.72 for the year. Benefits in the Mountain State are slightly below the U.S. average.
West Virginia is yet another of the 13 states that collect taxes on Social Security benefits, according to AARP.
Wisconsin
2020 average annual benefit: $18,826
In Wisconsin, more than 896,000 retirees are on Social Security. They'll collect benefits in 2020 averaging $1,568.81 per month, which is over the national average of $1,503.
The monthly amount in Wisconsin works out to an income of $18,825.72 for the year.
Wyoming
2020 average annual benefit: $18,614
In this sparsely populated state, approximately 82,100 retirees receive benefits from Social Security. The 2020 average amount will be $1,551.20 per month, which is better than the national average.
The typical 2020 monthly benefit here works out to an average $18,614.40 a year for each Wyoming retiree on Social Security.
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