Social Security benefits are paid according to a complex formula that takes into account how much the taxpayer has earned over the course of their career and at what age they claim benefits. In mass terms, the average Social Security pension payment for all retired workers in January 2022 was $ 1,657, but the maximum possible benefit was $ 4,194.
To determine which states received the most Social Security, GOBankingRates accessed data from the Social Security Administration for total benefits paid by the state, along with the number of Social Security beneficiaries in each state.
For the purpose of this analysis, only Old Age, Death and Invalidity Insurance (OASDI) was taken into account. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) was not taken into account.
Look at the 7 states that receive the most
The states are ranked in reverse order with the state getting the most in Social Security rankings out of 1.
7. Michigan
- Total Social Security Received: $3.36 billion
- Total Number of Recipients: 2,250,141
6. Ohio
- Total Social Security Received: $3.34 billion
- Total Number of Recipients: 2,405,217
5. Pennsylvania
- Total Social Security Received: $4.25 billion
- Total Number of Recipients: 2,877,728
4. New York
- Total Social Security Received: $5.40 billion
- Total Number of Recipients: 3,680,264
3. Texas
- Total Social Security Received: $6.11 billion
- Total Number of Recipients: 4,421,803
2. Florida
- Total Social Security Received: $6.94 billion
- Total Number of Recipients: 4,840,275
1. California
- Total Social Security Received: $8.66 billion
- Total Number of Recipients: 6,150,009
Social Security: A Simple Concept
Social Security reaches almost every family and, at some point, touches the lives of almost every American.
The administration helps older Americans, workers who develop disabilities, and families in which a spouse or parent dies. In June 2021, about 176 million people were working and paying Social Security taxes and about 65 million people were receiving monthly Social Security benefits.
The majority of our beneficiaries are retirees and their families: about 50 million people in June 2021.