Overview
- A Realtor.com analysis identifies ten states where the median Social Security benefit does not cover typical monthly expenses even for homeowners without mortgages.
- Vermont shows a $674 monthly shortfall and New Jersey $626, with other costly states including Massachusetts and New York also falling into deficit territory.
- The study tallies housing costs beyond mortgage payments, including property taxes, utilities, repairs, and maintenance.
- The Senior Citizens League estimates about 22 million Americans live on Social Security alone, with the average benefit near $2,000 per month.
- With 54% of households reporting no retirement savings, a growing cohort of YouTube retirees publicly tracks frugal budgets and supplements income with modest channel earnings.