But the amounts vary by state.
Here's how all 50 states and the District of Columbia rank for Social Security benefits, going from the smallest average payments to the largest. The list is based on recently released numbers of retired workers on Social Security in each state and the total benefits they received in 2018.
And remember, no matter how much you get, be sure to deposit that check in a high-interest savings account to squeeze all the value you can out of it.
51. Louisiana
Average annual benefit: $16,350
According to the Social Security Administration's most current information, 540,818 Louisiana retirees collected benefits in 2018 averaging $1,362.52 per month.
That works out to $16,350.25 a year. It's not too far above what the federal government considers a poverty income for a single person: $12,490 per year.
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Learn More50. Mississippi
Average annual benefit: $16,431
In Mississippi, 416,530 retirees received benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,369.26 per month. Multiply by 12, and you get an average annual income of $16,431.15.
About 1 in 5 elderly married couples on Social Security and nearly half of unmarried seniors rely on their benefits for at least 90% of their income, the Social Security Administration says.
49. Maine
Average annual benefit: $16,453
Social Security says 234,929 retired workers in Maine were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,371.12 a month — or $16,453.40 per year.
Around 90% of Americans 65 or older receive Social Security benefits. Some choose to wait until they turn 70, the age at which you receive your maximum possible benefit.
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Learn more48. New Mexico
Average annual benefit: $16,538
In New Mexico, 297,313 retirees collected benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,378.17 per month, or $16,538.05 a year.
New Mexico is one of 13 states that tax Social Security benefits, according to AARP.
47. Montana
Average annual benefit: $16,640
Officials say 171,787 Montana retirees were receiving Social Security payments in 2018 that averaged $1,386.69 per month or $16,640.33 a year.
Montana also is among the 13 states that tax Social Security benefits, says AARP.
46. Arkansas
Average annual benefit: $16,642
In Arkansas, 439,558 retirees were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,386.84 a month or $16,642.09 per year.
The benefits program got its start in 1935, when President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law.
45. Kentucky
Average annual benefit: $16,720
In Kentucky, 599,606 retirees were taking benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,393.31 per month — or $16,719.70 per year.
On January 31, 1940, the first monthly Social Security check was issued to Ida May Fuller, a retired legal secretary in Ludlow, Vermont. She received $22.54, which is equivalent to $413.77 in today's dollars.
44. South Dakota
Average annual benefit: $16,754
The Social Security Administration says 133,040 retired workers in South Dakota were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,396.20 per month, or $16,754.36 a year.
During her lifetime, Ida May Fuller — the first Social Security recipient — collected benefits totaling about $22,889.
43. Alaska
Average annual benefit: $16,808
Officials say 72,029 Alaska retirees were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,400.70 per month, or $16,808.40 a year.
Like every other resident of Alaska, a retiree also receives an annual payment from the state's oil wealth fund. The amount in 2019 is $1,606.
42. North Dakota
Average annual benefit: $16,849
In North Dakota, 96,657 retirees were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,404.05 per month, or $16,848.57 a year.
North Dakota is another of the 13 states that collect taxes on Social Security benefits, AARP says.
41. District of Columbia
Average annual benefit: $16,959
In the District of Columbia, 57,338 retirees were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,413.25 per month or $16,959.01 a year.
A person can claim Social Security as early as age 62, but if you don't wait your monthly payment will be permanently reduced by up to 30%.
40. Oklahoma
Average annual benefit: $17,098
In Oklahoma, 522,769 retirees were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,424.85 per month.
The math on that works out to an average $17,098.17 a year. Paltry Social Security benefits are a reason working Americans need to save more — such as through 401(k) plans offered by employers.
39. Nevada
Average annual benefit: $17,153
In Nevada, 396,557 retirees were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,429.46 per month or $17,153.48 a year.
Social Security typically represents about a third of an older American's income, officials with the program say.
38. Idaho
Average annual benefit: $17,158
In Idaho 247,610 retirees were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,429.82 per month.
Multiply by 12 and you get an average annual income of $17,157.85. Some seniors are lucky enough to have employer-based pensions that provide additional retirement income, though those have become rare.
37. Texas
Average annual benefit: $17,178
In Texas, 2,832,567 retirees were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,431.47 per month,
That makes for an income of $17,177.59 a year. Money from an IRA, or individual retirement account, can help you make ends meet in retirement — but you need to start saving as early as you can.
36. California
Average annual benefit: $17,190
In America's most populous state, 4,310,091 retirees were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,432.46 per month or $17,189.56 a year.
The number of older people on Social Security in California is greater than the entire populations of almost half the states.
35. Alabama
Average annual benefit: $17,222
In Alabama, 709,443 retirees were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,435.18 per month or $17,222.17 a year.
Half of elderly retired couples and 70% of single retirees derive 50% or more of their income from Social Security, officials with the program say.
34. Georgia
Average annual benefit: $17,241
In Georgia, 1,242,203 retirees were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,436.74 per month.
The math on that works out to an average annual income of $17,240.90.
33. West Virginia
Average annual benefit: $17,243
In West Virginia, 285,909 retirees were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,436.95 per month, or $17,243.44 a year.
West Virginia is among the 13 states that collect taxes on Social Security benefits, AARP says.
32. Ohio
Average annual benefit: $17,266
In Ohio, 1,581,420 retirees were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,438.86 per month — or $17,266.31 a year.
During June 2019, some 44.5 retired workers across the U.S. were receiving Social Security payments, officials say.
31. Missouri
Average annual benefit: $17,267
In Missouri, 873,524 retirees were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,438.96 per month, or $17,267.46 a year.
Missouri also is among the 13 states that tax the Social Security benefits of at least some retirees, according to AARP.
30. Tennessee
Average annual benefit: $17,401
In Tennessee, 964,035 retirees were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,450.11 per month.
Multiply by 12 and you get an annual amount of $17,401.37. Investment income, maybe through an automated investing service, can help retirees stretch their money.
29. Hawaii
Average annual benefit: $17,420
In Hawaii — one of the best states for retirement — 211,813 retirees were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,451.67 per month.
That works out to an average $17,420.01 a year.
28. Florida
Average annual benefit: $17,420
In Florida — often considered America's retirement capital — 3,389,540 retirees were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,451.70 per month.
That's equal to $17,420.43 a year.
27. North Carolina
Average annual benefit: $17,550
In North Carolina, 1,476,848 retirees were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,462.49 per month, or $17,549.91 a year.
Americans are living longer and must rely on Social Security for longer periods. In 1940, a 65-year-old was expected to live almost 14 years, the Social Security Administration says. Today, that life expectancy is more than 20 years.
26. Oregon
Average annual benefit: $17,576
In Oregon, 640,652 retirees were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,464.65 per month.
That works out to $17,575.78 per year.
25. Iowa
Average annual benefit: $17,614
In Iowa, 470,664 retirees were collecting Social Security benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,467.82 per month.
Multiply by 12 and you get an average annual benefit of $17,613.79.
24. Nebraska
Average annual benefit: $17,620
In Nebraska, 250,014 retirees were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,468.36 per month or $17,620.34 a year.
Nebraska is another of the 13 states that tax the Social Security benefits of at least some retirees, AARP says.
23. Colorado
Average annual benefit: $17,657
In Colorado 639,282 retirees were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,471.42 per month or $17,657.03 a year.
Colorado is yet another of the 13 states that collect taxes on Social Security benefits, AARP says.
22. South Carolina
Average annual benefit: $17,712
In South Carolina, 796,032 retirees were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,475.98 per month.
That's equivalent to $17,711.73 a year.
21. Vermont
Average annual benefit: $17,779
In Vermont, 106,070 retirees were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,481.62 per month, or $17,779.39 a year.
Vermont also is among the 13 states that collect taxes on Social Security benefits, AARP says.
20. Wyoming
Average annual benefit: $17,822
In this sparsely populated state, 82,101 retirees were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,485.18 per month.
That works out to an average $17,822.19 a year for each Wyoming retiree on Social Security.
19. Illinois
Average annual benefit: $17,896
In Illinois, 1,590,343 retirees were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,491.30 per month.
That's the same as $17,895.63 per year.
18. Arizona
Average annual benefit: $17,897
In Arizona — another state that draws large numbers of retirees — 992,575 retired workers were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,491.45 per month.
Multiply by 12 and you get an average annual income of $17,897.44.
17. Rhode Island
Average annual benefit: $17,920
In Rhode Island, 156,598 retirees were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,493.31 per month, or $17,919.77 a year.
Rhode Island is another of the 13 states that tax Social Security benefits, according to AARP.
16. Utah
Average annual benefit: $18,009
In Utah 284,754 retirees were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,500.79 per month or $18,009.44 a year.
Utah is yet another of the 13 states that levy state taxes on Social Security benefits, AARP says.
15. Wisconsin
Average annual benefit: $18,024
In Wisconsin, 896,146 retirees were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,502.04 per month.
That's the same as an income of $18,024.45 a year.
14. Virginia
Average annual benefit: $18,084
In Virginia, 1,078,144 retired workers were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,507.01 per month.
That works out to $18,084.17 per year.
13. Massachusetts
Average annual benefit: $18,104
In Massachusetts, 878,840 retirees were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,508.65 per month.
That's equivalent to $18,103.76 a year.
12. Kansas
Average annual benefit: $18,145
In Kansas 391,286 retirees were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,512.09 per month or $18,145.06 a year.
Kansas also is among the 13 states that collect taxes on some Social Security benefits, according to AARP.
11. New York
Average annual benefit: $18,174
In New York 2,548,783 retirees were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,514.50 per month, or $18,174.04 a year.
The first official Social Security number was 055-09-0001 — issued in 1936 to 23-year-old John Sweeney Jr. of New Rochelle, New York.
10. Pennsylvania
Average annual benefit: $18,185
In Pennsylvania 1,966,422 retirees were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,515.44 per month.
Multiply by 12 and you get $18,185.31 a year.
9. Minnesota
Average annual benefit: $18,257
In Minnesota 761,515 retirees were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,521.45 per month or $18,257.40 a year.
Minnesota is another of the 13 states that collect state income tax on Social Security benefits, according to AARP.
8. Indiana
Average annual benefit: $18,266
In Indiana, 921,226 retirees were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,522.20 per month
That works out to an average annual income of $18,266.36. Could you live on that? It's vital to have savings to fall back on.
7. Washington
Average annual benefit: $18,432
In Washington, 970,010 retirees were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,535.96 per month
That calculates to an average annual income of $18,431.57.
6. Maryland
Average annual benefit: $18,586
In Maryland, 720,910 retirees were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,548.85 per month.
Multiply by 12 and you get an annual income averaging $18,586.14. Despite the relatively high benefits here, there are plenty of other reasons you probably wouldn't want to retire in Maryland.
5. Michigan
Average annual benefit: $18,614
In Michigan, 1,498,279 retired workers were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,551.19 per month.
The math works out to an average annual income of $18,614.28.
4. New Hampshire
Average annual benefit: $18,794
In New Hampshire 213,708 retirees were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,566.21 per month, or $18,794.49 per year.
The lowest Social Security number ever issued was given to Grace Owen of Concord, New Hampshire, in 1936. It was: 001-01-0001.
3. Delaware
Average annual benefit: $19,009
In Delaware, 156,16 retirees were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,584.12 per month.
That works out to Social Security payments averaging $19,009.38 a year.
2. Connecticut
Average annual benefit: $19,343
In Connecticut, 501,724 retirees were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,611.88 per month, or $19,342.59 a year.
Connecticut is the last of the 13 states that collect taxes on Social Security benefits, AARP says.
1. New Jersey
Average annual benefit: $19,402
The Garden State is where older people receive the largest average Social Security payments, according to the latest data from the program.
In New Jersey, 1,181,229 retirees were collecting benefits in 2018 that averaged $1,616.80 per month, or $19,401.58 a year.
While that's as good as it gets, $19,400 still isn't a lot. You'll want to look at life insurance to ensure your loved ones aren't burdened by more than grief once you're gone. Thankfully, it's easier now than ever to compare policies and get the best life insurance policy.
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