The average Social Security beneficiary received $1,770.71 in monthly benefits as of January 2024. However, many recipients received much more or much less. The length of time you wait until you file for Social Security, along with the amount you earn during your working career, are the two primary factors in the size of your Social Security payout.
To determine which states received the most Social Security, GOBankingRates accessed data from the Social Security Administration regarding the total benefits paid by state, along with the number of Social Security beneficiaries in each state. For purposes of this analysis, only Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance, or OASDI, was included. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) was not considered. States are ranked in reverse order, with the state receiving the most Social Security ranked No. 1.
Keep reading to find out which states receive the lowest amount of Social Security benefits — while discovering the states that receive the most benefits.
10. Hawaii
- Total Social Security Received: $503.17 million
- Total Number of Recipients: 291,053
9. Delaware
- Total Social Security Received: $439.44 million
- Total Number of Recipients: 234,539
8. Montana
- Total Social Security Received: $414.27 million
- Total Number of Recipients: 253,030
7. Rhode Island
- Total Social Security Received: $405.62 million
- Total Number of Recipients: 233,253
6. South Dakota
- Total Social Security Received: $320.01 million
- Total Number of Recipients: 193,088
5. Vermont
- Total Social Security Received: $275.70 million
- Total Number of Recipients: 159,575
4. North Dakota
- Total Social Security Received: $237.88 million
- Total Number of Recipients: 143,329
3. Wyoming
- Total Social Security Received: $216,53 million
- Total Number of Recipients:
2. Alaska
- Total Social Security Received: $183.66 million
- Total Number of Recipients: 112,221
1. District of Columbia (D.C.)
- Total Social Security Received: $138.71 million
- Total Number of Recipients: 83,476
Nicole Spector contributed to the reporting for this article.