Social Security 2026 COLA: Here are the states that will give retirees the largest raise

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Ahead of the Social Security Administration’s 2026 cost-of-living adjustment announcement, The Motley Fool took a gander at the states with the topmost median Social Security benefits.

The SSA is anticipating on revealing the 2026 COLA boost on Oct. 15, 2025.

However, due to the United States federal government shutdown, the announcement may be delayed if it does not reopen by the aforementioned date.

According to The Motley Fool, the following 10 states maintain the top median figures for social security benefit recipients, per the outlet’s analysis of the SSA’s 2025 Annual Statistical Supplement report:

• New Jersey: $2,172
• Connecticut: $2,159
• Delaware: $2,139
• New Hampshire: $2,121
• Maryland: $2,084
• Michigan: $2,067
• Washington: $2,061
• Minnesota: $2,053
• Massachusetts: $2,021
• Indiana: $2,016

While there is no definitive way to determine the 2026 COLA amount until the SSA announces it, some outlets try to predict it.

The Senior Citizens League — an organization that offers monthly projections on COLAs based on their formula — issued a statement in September that they believe the COLA will be 2.7%.

September additionally marked the end of the administration’s paper check delivery under the direction of President Donald Trump.

Scott Bessent, the secretary of the Treasury, said this in a statement: “Reducing paper checks has been a longstanding bipartisan goal that our administration is finally putting into action. Thanks to President Trump, this will help reduce fraud and theft. It will also remove delays that prevent hardworking Americans from receiving their vital payments.”

The theory behind the transition is that it is more cost effective to send a check electronically rather than through the paper mail.