Overview
- The ranking relies on Social Security Administration 2024 state averages, with New Hampshire highest at $2,359.50, followed by Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, and Delaware.
- Projected 2026 averages apply a 2.5% COLA for 2025 and a 2.8% COLA for 2026 to the 2024 figures, yielding an estimated $2,486.21 for New Hampshire.
- The rest of the top ten includes Massachusetts, Minnesota, Washington, Rhode Island, and Virginia, with Virginia at $2,178.00 in 2024.
- The analysis notes that larger state averages often reflect higher historical earnings rather than lower local prices or better affordability.
- The coverage pairs SSA-based rankings with promotional retirement-advice content from The Motley Fool offering strategies to boost benefits.