Top 5 States Receiving the Largest Social Security Increases After the 2026 COLA
Beginning January 2026, every Social Security beneficiary in the United States will receive a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). While this increase is uniform nationwide, the actual dollar amount added to each monthly check will vary widely. The reason is simple: COLA percentages apply to a beneficiary’s existing payment, meaning retirees with higher baseline benefits will see larger increases in Social Security payments.
States where workers historically earned higher wages—and therefore contributed more to the Social Security system—are expected to enjoy the largest 2026 COLA increases, many of them surpassing $59 per month, compared with the national average increase of around $56.
Below is a detailed look at the top five states projected to receive the biggest Social Security retirement check boosts in 2026.
Top States With the Highest 2026 COLA Increases
1. Connecticut: The Biggest COLA Increase in the Country
Connecticut leads the list with an estimated monthly increase of $60.66, bringing the average Social Security benefit to roughly $2,227.
This trend reflects the state’s strong workforce in high-paying sectors such as:
- Finance
- Insurance
- Technology
Many Connecticut residents spent their careers in the New York metro area or in Hartford, known as the “insurance capital of the world.” Additionally, high living costs encouraged workers to delay retirement, boosting their lifetime earnings and maximizing their Social Security benefits.
2. New Jersey: A Close Second With High Professional Earnings
New Jersey takes the second spot, with an average increase of $60.57, pushing monthly payments to about $2,224.
The state benefits from:
- Proximity to New York City and Philadelphia
- High-income fields like pharmaceuticals, logistics, and financial services
- One of the nation’s highest rates of delayed benefit claims
Thousands of commuters who worked in Manhattan but lived in New Jersey earned substantial salaries, translating into strong Social Security records. For retirees in areas like Newark, Trenton, and Princeton, the extra $60 helps counterbalance the state’s notoriously high property taxes.
3. New Hampshire: No Taxes and a $60.11 Average Increase
New Hampshire ranks third with an estimated $60.11 COLA increase, raising the average retirement check to nearly $2,207.
The state remains financially attractive due to:
- No state income tax
- No sales tax
- No Social Security or pension taxation
Many retirees relocated from Massachusetts after earning high salaries in sectors such as high-tech, biotech, and manufacturing in the Boston area. The 2026 COLA goes further here because retirees keep more of every additional dollar, especially in costly regions like the Merrimack Valley or around Lake Winnipesaukee.
4. Delaware: Small State, Big COLA Gains
Delaware surprises many by offering an average COLA boost of $59.97, bringing typical benefits to about $2,202.
The reason lies in Wilmington’s history as a corporate powerhouse, home to:
- Major banks
- Fortune 500 headquarters
- Large multinationals
Executives, banking professionals, and corporate lawyers generated substantial lifetime earnings, resulting in higher-than-average Social Security benefits today. Combined with Delaware’s tax-friendly system—no sales tax and generous retirement income exemptions—retirees will truly feel the impact of this near $60 monthly raise.
5. Maryland: Federal Careers Drive Higher Benefits
Maryland completes the top five with a projected increase of $58.96, raising the average benefit to roughly $2,165 per month.
Its strong performance is shaped by:
- Proximity to Washington, D.C.
- Thousands of federal employees and defense workers
- High-earning professionals at agencies like the NSA, NIH, and other federal institutions
Wealthy counties such as Montgomery and Howard contain retirees who delayed their benefits to maximize monthly payments. Although the region has a high cost of living, the 2026 COLA will especially support retirees who have already paid off their mortgages and now prioritize healthcare or discretionary spending.
Retirees across the country are being cautioned after Officials Sound Alarm Over the $56 COLA Boost — Retirees Warned of a Costly Mistake, a warning tied to the upcoming Social Security increase. Many seniors assume the $56 monthly boost will improve their financial comfort, but officials emphasize that rising Medicare premiums, inflation, and tax thresholds could absorb most of that benefit. The title highlights the core issue: the COLA raise may look helpful, but misunderstanding its real impact could lead retirees into unexpected financial trouble.
Conclusion
The 2026 Social Security COLA will deliver a 2.8% increase nationwide, but its actual value varies dramatically depending on where retirees live and how much they contributed throughout their careers.
States like Connecticut, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Delaware, and Maryland stand out for offering the highest COLA increases in the U.S., driven by decades of strong wages, significant tax advantages, and large professional workforces.
For beneficiaries living in these high-earning regions, the upcoming increase will provide meaningful financial relief, helping retirees better manage living costs, healthcare expenses, and everyday necessities.
FAQs
1. Why do some states receive higher Social Security COLA amounts?
COLA is a percentage increase, so retirees in states with historically higher wages receive larger dollar-amount increases.
2. Does every Social Security beneficiary get the same 2.8% increase?
Yes, the percentage is the same nationwide, but the actual increase in dollars varies based on the current benefit amount.
3. Are taxes affecting how much of the COLA retirees keep?
Yes. States with no income or pension taxes—like New Hampshire and Delaware—allow retirees to keep more of their COLA increase.