The 10 states where retirees will get the biggest dollar increase
Every traditional Social Security beneficiary will receive the same 3.6% increase in January. But because the raise is a percentage, people with larger benefits get larger dollar increases. And average benefits differ considerably by state.
Based on the average monthly benefit for retired workers as of December 2025, these 10 states will see the largest nominal-dollar increases in 2027:
| State | Avg. monthly benefit (Dec. 2025) | 3.6% increase | Estimated new benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $2,308.36 | $83.10 | $2,391.46 |
| New Hampshire | $2,297.70 | $82.72 | $2,380.42 |
| New Jersey | $2,287.75 | $82.36 | $2,370.11 |
| Delaware | $2,273.77 | $81.86 | $2,355.63 |
| Maryland | $2,257.51 | $81.27 | $2,338.78 |
| Massachusetts | $2,220.49 | $79.94 | $2,300.43 |
| Washington | $2,199.17 | $79.17 | $2,278.34 |
| Minnesota | $2,191.44 | $78.89 | $2,270.33 |
| Utah | $2,168.28 | $78.06 | $2,246.34 |
| Virginia | $2,168.06 | $78.05 | $2,246.11 |
Over a full year, a typical retiree in Connecticut can expect close to $1,000 in additional benefits.
