20 States With The Highest Average Social Security Benefits In The US

Retired Americans on Social Security will receive an average benefit of $1,503 in 2020, a rise of 1.6% from the $1,479 in 2019. But the amounts vary by state. Here are 20 states where retirees receive the highest social security benefits.

1. Wyoming - Average Annual Benefit: $17,822

In Wyoming, a sparsely populated state, 82,101 retirees were collecting benefits averaging $1,485.18 per month in 2018. That's the same as $17,822.19 per year.

2. Illinois - Average Annual Benefit: $17,896

In Illinois, 1,590,343 retirees were collecting benefits averaging $1,491.30 per month in 2018. That works out to an average annual income of $17,895.63.

3. Arizona - Average Annual Benefit: $17,897

In Arizona, 992,575 retired workers were collecting benefits averaging $1,491.45 per month in 2018. That calculates to an average annual income of $17,897.44. Arizona is one of the states that draw a large number of retirees.

4. Rhode Island - Average Annual Benefit: $17,920

In Rhode Island, 156,598 retirees were collecting benefits averaging $1,493.31 per month, or $17,919.77 a year in 2018. Rhode Island is also one of the 13 states that tax Social Security benefits.

5. Utah - Average Annual Benefit: $18,009

In Utah, 284,754 retirees were collecting benefits averaging $1,500.79 per month or $18,009.44 a year in 2018. Utah is also among the 13 states that levy taxes on Social Security benefits.

6. Wisconsin - Average Annual Benefit: $18,024

In Wisconsin, 896,146 retirees were collecting benefits averaging $1,502.04 per month in 2018. The math works out to $18,024.45 per year.

7. Virginia - Average Annual Benefit: $18,084

In Virginia, 1,078,144 retired workers were collecting benefits averaging $1,507.01 per month in 2018. That's the same as an income of $18,084.17 a year.

8. Massachusetts - Average Annual Benefit: $18,104

In Massachusetts, 878,840 retirees were collecting benefits averaging $1,508.65 per month in 2018. Multiply by 12 and you get $18,103.76 a year.

9. Kansas - Average Annual Benefit: $18,145

In Kansas, 391,286 retirees were collecting benefits averaging $1,512.09 per month or $18,145.06 a year in 2018. Kansas is another of the 13 states that collect taxes on some Social Security benefits.

10. New York - Average Annual Benefit: $18,174

In New York, 2,548,783 retirees were collecting benefits averaging $1,514.50 per month, or $18,174.04 a year in 2018. The first official Social Security number issued in 1936 was 055-09-0001, and it's given to then 23-year-old John Sweeney Jr. of New Rochelle, New York.

11. Pennsylvania - Average Annual Benefit: $18,185

In Pennsylvania, 1,966,422 retirees were collecting benefits averaging $1,515.44 per month in 2018. That works out to $18,185.31 a year.

12. Minnesota - Average Annual Benefit: $18,257

In Minnesota, 761,515 retirees were collecting benefits averaging $1,521.45 per month or $18,257.40 a year in 2018. Minnesota is also one of the 13 states that collect taxes on Social Security benefits.

13. Indiana - Average Annual Benefit: $18,266

In Indiana, 921,226 retirees were collecting benefits averaging $1,522.20 per month in 2018. The math works out to an average annual Social Security payment of $18,266.36.

14. Washington - Average Annual Benefit: $18,432

In Washington, 970,010 retirees were collecting benefits averaging $1,535.96 per month in 2018. Multiply by 12 and you get an annual income averaging $18,431.57.

15. Maryland - Average Annual Benefit: $18,586

In Maryland, 720,910 retirees were collecting benefits averaging $1,548.85 per month in 2018. That's equivalent to $18,586.14 a year. In spite of the relatively high benefits in Maryland, there are many other reasons you probably wouldn't want to retire here.

16. Michigan - Average Annual Benefit: $18,614

In Michigan, 1,498,279 retired workers were collecting benefits averaging $1,551.19 per month in 2018. That works out to Social Security payments averaging $18,614.28 a year.

17. New Hampshire - Average Annual Benefit: $18,794

In New Hampshire, 213,708 retirees were collecting benefits averaging $1,566.21 per month, or $18,794.49 per year in 2018. Grace Owen of Concord, New Hampshire got the lowest Social Security number ever issued. That's 001-01-0001.

18. Delaware - Average Annual Benefit: $19,009

In Delaware, 156,16 retirees were collecting benefits averaging $1,584.12 per month in 2018. That calculates to an average annual Social Security payment of $19,009.38.

19. Connecticut - Average Annual Benefit: $19,343

In Connecticut, 501,724 retirees were collecting benefits averaging $1,611.88 per month, or $19,342.59 a year in 2018. Connecticut is one of the 13 states that collect taxes on Social Security benefits, according to AARP.

20. New Jersey - Average Annual Benefit: $19,402

New Jersey retirees receive the largest average Social Security payments, according to the Social Security Administration. In the Garden State, 1,181,229 retirees were collecting benefits averaging $1,616.80 per month, or $19,401.58 a year in 2018.