Which 10 States Getting the Biggest Social Security Raises in 2026?

Nearly 74 million Americans depend on Social Security benefits to make ends meet. Every year, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announces a cost of living adjustment (COLA), which helps people know how much their monthly benefits will change.

These adjustments are important for people’s budgets and plans.

How is COLA decided?

COLA is based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) from July to September each year.

The percentage increase takes into account inflation, current benefit amounts, and lifelong earnings. This means the change can look different depending on the person and the state they live in.

Who gets the biggest increases?

Retirees in the states with the highest average Social Security benefits will see the biggest dollar increases because COLA is a percentage of their current payments.

According to Social Security Administration data reported by The Motley Fool, here are the top 10 states with the highest average monthly benefits for retired workers:

New Jersey: $2,172
Connecticut: $2,159
Delaware: $2,139
New Hampshire: $2,121
Maryland: $2,084
Michigan: $2,067
Washington: $2,061
Minnesota: $2,053

Massachusetts: $2,021
Indiana: $2,016

Benefits are calculated using a formula that considers lifetime earnings, so people living in states with higher average incomes usually receive higher Social Security payments.

What is the predicted COLA for 2026?

The official announcement for the 2026 COLA was scheduled for October 15, but a government shutdown might delay it.

However, according to The Senior Citizens League, the increase is predicted to be about 2.7%, which is slightly higher than the 2.5% increase in 2025.

Historically, a 2.7% increase would be the 29th largest since the SSA started using the CPI-W to calculate COLA in 1977. For comparison, the 2025 increase was ranked 33rd.

If the prediction holds, the average retired worker will see their monthly benefit rise by about $54, growing from $2,008 to $2,062.

How does the government shutdown affect Social Security?

While COLA changes are fairly predictable, the government shutdown has made running the Social Security Administration harder.

Before the shutdown, the SSA said it would keep about 45,000 employees (90% of the workforce) working, while nearly 6,200 employees would be furloughed.

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