How Much Are Retirees Getting From Social Security in 2025? Your State’s Average May Surprise You

Wondering how your monthly Social Security check stacks up against the rest of the country?

You’re not alone. In 2025, millions of Americans are relying on Social Security as a core part of their retirement income.

But while benefits are calculated based on your personal earnings, where you live can make a noticeable difference in what you actually receive.

 

Why Social Security Amounts Vary by State

The Social Security Administration doesn’t adjust payments based on your zip code.

Your monthly benefit is based on your lifetime earnings and the age you start collecting.

But state-level differences in average wages and retirement patterns mean that some states have higher average benefit amounts than others.

For example, retirees in states with historically higher incomes often receive larger Social Security checks than those in states with lower average earnings.

 

When You Claim Matters—A Lot

Timing plays a big role in how much you receive each month.

You can start collecting as early as age 62, but this can reduce your benefit by up to 30 percent.

On the flip side, delaying until age 70 can increase your monthly check by up to 8 percent each year you wait.

For more details on the long-term impact of early or late claiming, check out: The $100,000 Retirement Mistake: Why Delaying Social Security Can Lead to Bigger Benefits

 

Average Monthly Social Security Payments by State in 2025

Below are a few standout examples. (The full list follows at the end.) 

• California (5,120,435)
• Florida (4,063,202)
• Texas (3,546,829)
• New York (2,908,411)
• Pennsylvania (2,255,780)

 

Alabama

• Average monthly payment: $1,856

• Average monthly payment: $1,794

Alaska

• Average monthly payment: $1,837

• Average monthly payment: $1,733

Arizona

• Average monthly payment: $1,949

• Average monthly payment: $1,913

Arkansas

• Average monthly payment: $1,790

• Average monthly payment: $1,717

California

• Average monthly payment: $1,866

• Average monthly payment: $1,767

Colorado

• Average monthly payment: $1,958

• Average monthly payment: $1,898

Connecticut

• Average monthly payment: $2,114

• Average monthly payment: $2,084

Delaware

• Average monthly payment: $2,090

• Average monthly payment: $2,064

Florida

• Average monthly payment: $1,894

• Average monthly payment: $1,839

Georgia

• Average monthly payment: $1,859

• Average monthly payment: $1,789

Hawaii

• Average monthly payment: $1,908

• Average monthly payment: $1,854

Idaho

• Average monthly payment: $1,880

• Average monthly payment: $1,829

Illinois

• Average monthly payment: $1,934

• Average monthly payment: $1,908

Indiana

• Average monthly payment: $1,966

• Average monthly payment: $1,953

Iowa

• Average monthly payment: $1,921

• Average monthly payment: $1,884

Kansas

• Average monthly payment: $1,982

• Average monthly payment: $1,930

Kentucky

• Average monthly payment: $1,803

• Average monthly payment: $1,748

Louisiana

• Average monthly payment: $1,759

• Average monthly payment: $1,674

Maine

• Average monthly payment: $1,816

• Average monthly payment: $1,741

Maryland

• Average monthly payment: $2,054

• Average monthly payment: $2,008

Massachusetts

• Average monthly payment: $2,003

• Average monthly payment: $1,946

Michigan

• Average monthly payment: $1,997

• Average monthly payment: $2,005

Minnesota

• Average monthly payment: $2,016

• Average monthly payment: $1,982

Mississippi

• Average monthly payment: $1,756

• Average monthly payment: $1,673

Missouri

• Average monthly payment: $1,869

• Average monthly payment: $1,883

Montana

• Average monthly payment: $1,817

• Average monthly payment: $1,751

Nebraska

• Average monthly payment: $1,937

• Average monthly payment: $1,880

Nevada (Corrected from "Snowfall")

• Average monthly payment: $1,843

• Average monthly payment: $1,785

New Hampshire

• Average monthly payment: $2,094

• Average monthly payment: $2,039

New Jersey

• Average monthly payment: $2,110

• Average monthly payment: $2,100

New Mexico

• Average monthly payment: $1,799

• Average monthly payment: $1,696

New York

• Average monthly payment: $1,951

• Average monthly payment: $1,914

North Carolina

• Average monthly payment: $1,909

• Average monthly payment: $1,832

North Dakota

• Average monthly payment: $1,856

• Average monthly payment: $1,795

Ohio

• Average monthly payment: $1,858

• Average monthly payment: $1,854

Oklahoma

• Average monthly payment: $1,856

• Average monthly payment: $1,795

Oregon

• Average monthly payment: $1,918

• Average monthly payment: $1,867

Pennsylvania

• Average monthly payment: $1,979

• Average monthly payment: $1,946

Rhode Island

• Average monthly payment: $1,972

• Average monthly payment: $1,923

South Carolina

• Average monthly payment: $1,926

• Average monthly payment: $1,865

South Dakota

• Average monthly payment: $1,848

• Average monthly payment: $1,780

Tennessee

• Average monthly payment: $1,890

• Average monthly payment: $1,822

Texas

• Average monthly payment: $1,865

• Average monthly payment: $1,776

Utah

• Average monthly payment: $1,988

• Average monthly payment: $1,939

Vermont

• Average monthly payment: $1,961

• Average monthly payment: $1,883

Virginia

• Average monthly payment: $1,985

• Average monthly payment: $1,906

Washington

• Average monthly payment: $2,022

• Average monthly payment: $1,992

West Virginia

• Average monthly payment: $1,839

• Average monthly payment: $1,807

Wisconsin

• Average monthly payment: $1,957

• Average monthly payment: $1,932

Wyoming

• Average monthly payment: $1,950

• Average monthly payment: $1,908

 

Planning Ahead? Use SSA Tools to Estimate Your Benefit

A smart first step in your retirement planning is to set up your free account at ssa.gov/myaccount.

You’ll get access to your earnings history, estimated benefits, and projections that update over time. It’s one of the most effective ways to prepare for retirement on your terms.

 

Struggling to Make Ends Meet? Help May Be Available

If your Social Security check isn’t enough, additional resources could help:

• SSI (Supplemental Security Income) for low-income seniors

• Medicaid and Medicare Savings Programs

• Housing and utility support through state-level agencies

• Food assistance programs

Visit benefits.gov to explore programs available in your area.

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