What state is best to live on Social Security?

The best states to live on Social Security generally combine low cost of living with tax advantages, with top contenders often including Mississippi, Wyoming, West Virginia, Iowa, and Georgia for low expenses, and states like Florida, Texas, and Delaware for no state income tax or significant tax breaks on retirement income. Mississippi, in particular, stands out with low housing costs, no Social Security tax, and low property taxes, while Wyoming offers very low rents.

What is the best state to retire in if you want your money to last?

For your money to last in retirement, focus on states with low taxes (especially no state income tax), low cost of living (housing, groceries, utilities), and good healthcare access, with top contenders often including Mississippi, Tennessee, Florida, Texas, Wyoming, South Dakota, and Missouri, offering benefits like tax-free Social Security, affordable homes, and general affordability for retirees. 

What is the highest paying state for social security?

Connecticut pays the most in average Social Security benefits for retired workers, with averages around $2,196 monthly, closely followed by New Jersey, New Hampshire, Delaware, and Maryland, reflecting higher regional incomes, though these states also have higher living costs. The states with the largest total number of beneficiaries are California, Florida, and Texas, due to their large populations, but their average payments are often lower than in the Northeast.
 

What is the best state to live in if you're on social security?

South Dakota. South Dakota continues to lead many retirement rankings, and it's easy to see why. The state has no state income tax, which means your social security income, pension income, and retirement account withdrawals are completely tax-free.

Where can I live comfortably on social security?

There are just 10 states where the typical retiree can live mortgage-free on Social Security alone. Delaware tops the list with an annual surplus of $1,764, or about $147 a month. At the other end of the surplus spectrum, Michigan squeaks by with just $132 a year, or roughly $11 a month.

10 Best U.S. States to Retire on Just Social Security

Where can I retire on $2000 a month in the United States?

You can retire comfortably on $2,000 a month in the U.S. by focusing on affordable Midwest and Southern cities, with top contenders including Fort Wayne, Indiana, Fargo, North Dakota, Knoxville, Tennessee, Oklahoma City, Cincinnati, Ohio, and several locations in Texas (like Brownsville, Abilene) and Florida (like Tallahassee, Fort Myers), which offer lower costs for housing, groceries, and healthcare while still providing good livability and amenities. 

How much do you have to make to get $3,000 a month in social security?

To get around $3,000/month in Social Security, you generally need a high earning history, around $100,000-$108,000+ annually over your top 35 years, but waiting to claim until age 70 maximizes this amount, potentially reaching it with lower yearly earnings, say under $70k if you wait long enough, as benefits are based on your highest indexed earnings over 35 years. The exact amount depends heavily on your specific earnings history and the age you start collecting benefits. 

What state has the best healthcare for retirees?

There's no single "best" state, as it depends on priorities (cost vs. access vs. outcomes), but Minnesota, Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and California consistently rank high for retiree healthcare due to strong hospitals, good outcomes, or balanced costs and access, with Midwestern states like North Dakota & South Dakota also scoring well for access and affordability, while Florida offers great infrastructure for its large retiree population. 

What is one of the biggest mistakes people make regarding social security?

Claiming Benefits Too Early

One of the biggest mistakes people make is claiming Social Security benefits as soon as they're eligible, which is at age 62. While getting money sooner can be tempting, claiming early has a significant downside: your monthly benefit will be reduced.

Who qualifies for an extra $144 added to their social security?

You qualify for an extra ~$144 on your Social Security check if you have a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan with a "Part B Giveback" benefit, which refunds some or all of your Medicare Part B premium, appearing as extra cash in your check, but eligibility depends on living in the plan's service area and paying your own Part B premiums. The "144" figure was common when the Part B premium was around that amount, but the actual refund varies by plan and location, potentially exceeding the full premium. 

What is the average monthly social security check?

As of early 2026, the estimated average Social Security retirement check is around $2,071 per month, after the latest cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), though this figure changes monthly and varies significantly by individual circumstances like earnings history and age at retirement. For context, in late 2025, averages were slightly lower, around $2,000-$2,012 for retired workers. 

What states can you live in on social security alone?

Social Security can cover your living expenses if you live in these states, report finds

• Delaware. + $1,764. $2,139. $1,992.
• Indiana. + $1,392. $2,016. $1,900.
• Arizona. + $1,224. $1,976. $1,874.
• Utah. + $888. $2,007. $1,933.
• South Carolina. + $828. $1,929. $1,860.
• West Virginia. + $660. $1,861. ...
• Alabama. + $576. $1,853. ...
• Nevada. + $432. $1,841.

Where is the nicest and cheapest place to retire?

1. Fargo, ND. With its low costs and generous tax situation, North Dakota has consistently ranked high among our best states for retirement.

Can I live on $5000 a month in retirement?

To retire comfortably, many retirees need between $60,000 and $100,000 annually, or $5,000 to $8,300 per month. This varies based on personal financial needs and expenses.

What states have no property tax for seniors?

States that offer property tax exemptions to seniors

• Alabama: Exempts seniors from the state portion of property taxes; county taxes may still apply.
• Alaska: Exempts the first $150,000 of assessed home value for homeowners aged 65-plus.

What state has the best doctors and hospitals?

Massachusetts, Hawaii, New Hampshire, and Connecticut consistently rank as having top healthcare systems with excellent doctors and hospitals, excelling in quality, access, and outcomes, though rankings vary slightly by source, with some highlighting Montana for physician well-being and others focusing on specific hospital quality. These states often lead in metrics like affordability, preventative care, and patient experience, boasting strong hospital networks and high-quality medical research.
 

What is the friendliest state for seniors?

There's no single "most" senior-friendly state, as it depends on priorities, but Florida, Delaware, Virginia, Arizona, and New Hampshire consistently rank high for affordability, healthcare, and quality of life, while states like Mississippi & Texas offer lower costs, and New England states shine in healthcare access and safety. The best choice balances taxes, living costs, healthcare, climate, and community for your specific needs, with Sun Belt states often praised for taxes but New England for overall senior support. 

What state is #1 in quality of life?

There isn't one single answer, as different reports rank states differently, but Vermont is frequently cited as #1 for Quality of Life (CNBC), while Massachusetts often leads overall livability/best state rankings (WalletHub), and Utah ranks high overall for Best States (U.S. News). These rankings vary by the specific metrics used, such as health, safety, environment, education, or economic opportunity. 

What is the highest monthly amount you can get on Social Security?

What is the maximum Social Security retirement benefit payable?

• If you retire at full retirement age in 2026, your benefit would be $4,152.
• If you retire at age 62 in 2026, your benefit would be $2,969.
• If you retire at age 70 in 2026, your benefit would be $5,181.

Can you retire at 70 with $400,000?

Typical lifetime payout rates at age 70 are about 5%–8% depending on carrier and terms. On $400,000, that's roughly $20,000–$32,000 per year for life, before Social Security. Favor increasing-income GLWBs when available so your paycheck can step up over time to fight inflation.

What to do when social security is not enough to live on?

When Social Security isn't enough, supplement your income by exploring other government programs like SSI, SNAP, and Medicaid, working part-time, using retirement savings (401k, IRA), considering annuities for guaranteed income, delaying benefits to increase payments, and seeking help from non-profits like the National Council on Aging (NCOA) BenefitsCheckUp tool. 

Why will some social security recipients get two checks in December?

Some Social Security recipients, specifically those receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), got two checks in December 2025 because January 1st, New Year's Day, is a federal holiday, causing the January 2026 payment to be moved up to December 31st, resulting in December's payment (Dec 1st) and January's payment (Dec 31st) both landing in December. This is a standard Social Security Administration (SSA) practice for SSI payments, not a bonus, ensuring funds are available before holidays or weekends. 

What disability gets approved the most?

The most approved disability category for Social Security benefits is musculoskeletal disorders, including conditions like severe arthritis, back pain, degenerative disc disease, and fibromyalgia, as these often have strong medical evidence and clear limitations on daily activities. While these physical ailments lead in approvals, mental health conditions (like mood disorders) and nervous system disorders are also very common reasons for approval, with intellectual disabilities common for younger applicants.