Social Security COLA 2026 is set to give retirees a bigger raise — and seniors in five states are positioned to see the highest dollar increases. The cost-of-living adjustment will rise 2.8% next year, slightly higher than the 2.5% COLA in 2025, as inflation remains elevated and everyday expenses continue climbing. The increase may sound small, but for millions of beneficiaries, it represents essential income growth for housing, food, healthcare, and basic living needs.
The national average Social Security retirement benefit will rise by roughly $56 per month, pushing the typical benefit to around $2,071 in 2026. But not everyone will see the same increase in real dollars. Even though the percentage increase is identical for all retirees, individuals in states with higher-than-average benefit amounts are on track for bigger gains — and the gap is meaningful.
Retirees in Maryland, Delaware, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Connecticut are expected to see the largest average dollar increases. These states already have higher benefit averages because many residents earned more during their careers. Social Security payments are calculated using a worker’s highest 35 years of earnings, so higher wages equal higher baseline benefits — and ultimately larger COLA raises.
In Maryland, the average increase will be about $58.96, bringing typical monthly benefits to $2,164.77 in 2026. In Delaware, benefits will rise by approximately $59.97, pushing the average check to around $2,201.81. Retirees in New Hampshire will see about $60.11 added, raising checks to roughly $2,206.90. In New Jersey, the increase is projected at $60.57, lifting average monthly benefits to $2,223.74. And in Connecticut — the highest on the list — retirees will see about $60.66 added, with the average benefit reaching $2,227.05 next year.
These numbers tell a clear story: bigger base checks mean bigger COLA raises. This pattern has nothing to do with state tax rules or policy differences. And it doesn’t mean retirees can move to a high-benefit state to get a higher raise. A retiree receiving the same payment in Florida or Texas would get the exact same COLA increase if they lived in Connecticut or New Jersey.
Your Social Security benefit — and all future increases — depends entirely on your personal work history, claiming age, and lifetime earnings. The system doesn't adjust benefits based on location. But the data gap across states highlights how earnings differences throughout a working life shape retirement outcomes decades later.
For retirees still planning ahead or those not yet claiming, the message is simple: earning more before retirement or delaying benefits past full retirement age can lead to significantly higher monthly payments and larger COLA increases in the future. Someone delaying benefits until age 70 can receive up to 24–32% more depending on their original full retirement age. And every extra dollar earned during working years continues compounding through every future COLA.
The 2.8% COLA for 2026 won’t solve inflation concerns or rising Medicare costs on its own. But it will help millions of Americans maintain spending power at a time when essential costs like food, insurance premiums, rent, and prescription drugs continue trending upward.
For retirees in states with higher-than-average benefit levels, the larger increase offers extra breathing room. For everyone else, it reinforces a long-term financial truth: the stronger your benefit when you retire, the more future cost-of-living boosts will work in your favor.
For example, a retiree receiving $2,200 per month will get a larger raise than a retiree receiving $1,900 per month, even though both get the same percentage adjustment. That difference plays a major role in why retirees in certain states are likely to see bigger increases than others.
Many retirees in these states earned higher-than-average wages during their working careers. Because Social Security benefits are calculated based on a person’s 35 highest-earning working years, higher income results in a larger benefit — and a higher COLA in dollar terms.
So the difference isn't about location-based rules or state programs. It’s simply because residents in certain states tend to have higher baseline benefit amounts.
So retirees in these five states are on track to receive a noticeably above-average increase simply because they are already receiving higher-than-average monthly payments.
Your monthly benefit — and your COLA — is based entirely on:
This means the trend seen in certain states reflects workforce earnings patterns — not retirement rules.
One of the biggest strategies is delaying Social Security claim age. While many people start benefits at 62, waiting until your full retirement age — or even up to age 70 — can significantly increase your monthly check and future COLAs.
Another helpful strategy is earning more during working years if possible. Since Social Security is calculated using the highest 35 years of earnings, replacing low-earning years with higher-earning ones can lead to a larger base benefit.
Finally, understanding your benefit statement and planning ahead can make a noticeable difference in long-term income security.
A larger base payment today means larger raises every year going forward, including inflation adjustments. That can reduce reliance on personal savings, pensions, or investments later in life.
The national average Social Security retirement benefit will rise by roughly $56 per month, pushing the typical benefit to around $2,071 in 2026. But not everyone will see the same increase in real dollars. Even though the percentage increase is identical for all retirees, individuals in states with higher-than-average benefit amounts are on track for bigger gains — and the gap is meaningful.
Retirees in Maryland, Delaware, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Connecticut are expected to see the largest average dollar increases. These states already have higher benefit averages because many residents earned more during their careers. Social Security payments are calculated using a worker’s highest 35 years of earnings, so higher wages equal higher baseline benefits — and ultimately larger COLA raises.
In Maryland, the average increase will be about $58.96, bringing typical monthly benefits to $2,164.77 in 2026. In Delaware, benefits will rise by approximately $59.97, pushing the average check to around $2,201.81. Retirees in New Hampshire will see about $60.11 added, raising checks to roughly $2,206.90. In New Jersey, the increase is projected at $60.57, lifting average monthly benefits to $2,223.74. And in Connecticut — the highest on the list — retirees will see about $60.66 added, with the average benefit reaching $2,227.05 next year.
These numbers tell a clear story: bigger base checks mean bigger COLA raises. This pattern has nothing to do with state tax rules or policy differences. And it doesn’t mean retirees can move to a high-benefit state to get a higher raise. A retiree receiving the same payment in Florida or Texas would get the exact same COLA increase if they lived in Connecticut or New Jersey.
Your Social Security benefit — and all future increases — depends entirely on your personal work history, claiming age, and lifetime earnings. The system doesn't adjust benefits based on location. But the data gap across states highlights how earnings differences throughout a working life shape retirement outcomes decades later.
For retirees still planning ahead or those not yet claiming, the message is simple: earning more before retirement or delaying benefits past full retirement age can lead to significantly higher monthly payments and larger COLA increases in the future. Someone delaying benefits until age 70 can receive up to 24–32% more depending on their original full retirement age. And every extra dollar earned during working years continues compounding through every future COLA.
The 2.8% COLA for 2026 won’t solve inflation concerns or rising Medicare costs on its own. But it will help millions of Americans maintain spending power at a time when essential costs like food, insurance premiums, rent, and prescription drugs continue trending upward.
For retirees in states with higher-than-average benefit levels, the larger increase offers extra breathing room. For everyone else, it reinforces a long-term financial truth: the stronger your benefit when you retire, the more future cost-of-living boosts will work in your favor.
Why are some retirees expected to get higher dollar increases?
Even though everyone receives the same 2.8% increase, the starting level of your benefit determines how much that raise equals in real dollars. A higher base benefit means a higher cost-of-living bump.For example, a retiree receiving $2,200 per month will get a larger raise than a retiree receiving $1,900 per month, even though both get the same percentage adjustment. That difference plays a major role in why retirees in certain states are likely to see bigger increases than others.
Many retirees in these states earned higher-than-average wages during their working careers. Because Social Security benefits are calculated based on a person’s 35 highest-earning working years, higher income results in a larger benefit — and a higher COLA in dollar terms.
So the difference isn't about location-based rules or state programs. It’s simply because residents in certain states tend to have higher baseline benefit amounts.
Which states could see the largest 2026 Social Security raises?
Based on current benefit averages, five states stand out for the largest expected dollar increases:- Maryland: Benefits expected to rise by about $58.96, reaching roughly $2,164.77 per month
- Delaware: Estimated increase of $59.97, with checks reaching around $2,201.81
- New Hampshire: Expected increase of $60.11, raising benefits to about $2,206.90
- New Jersey: Increase of $60.57, bringing average payments to roughly $2,223.74
- Connecticut: Expected increase of about $60.66, with checks rising to $2,227.05
So retirees in these five states are on track to receive a noticeably above-average increase simply because they are already receiving higher-than-average monthly payments.
Does moving to a higher-benefit state increase your own Social Security?
The short answer is no. Your Social Security payment does not change based on where you live. Whether you move to Maryland, stay in Florida, or retire in Alaska, your benefit amount stays the same.Your monthly benefit — and your COLA — is based entirely on:
- Your lifetime earnings
- The number of qualifying working years
- When you choose to begin collecting benefits
- Whether you delay benefits past full retirement age
This means the trend seen in certain states reflects workforce earnings patterns — not retirement rules.
How can retirees increase their future Social Security benefits?
Even though location doesn’t affect benefits, personal choices can. Some decisions during your working and early retirement years can help boost your future monthly payment.One of the biggest strategies is delaying Social Security claim age. While many people start benefits at 62, waiting until your full retirement age — or even up to age 70 — can significantly increase your monthly check and future COLAs.
Another helpful strategy is earning more during working years if possible. Since Social Security is calculated using the highest 35 years of earnings, replacing low-earning years with higher-earning ones can lead to a larger base benefit.
Finally, understanding your benefit statement and planning ahead can make a noticeable difference in long-term income security.
A larger base payment today means larger raises every year going forward, including inflation adjustments. That can reduce reliance on personal savings, pensions, or investments later in life.
