An above-average Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will likely be coming your way in a few months. The latest projection estimates the 2027 COLA will come in around 3.8%, according to The Senior Citizens League (TSCL), well above the 2.8% benefit boost you saw this year.
But since the COLA is a percentage, it doesn’t affect all beneficiaries equally. Some seniors will receive larger dollar increases than others, and states with higher average incomes will also see their average benefits rise more significantly.
Here’s a closer look at what the estimated 2027 Social Security COLAÂ could do for the typical benefit in your state.
Image source: Getty Images.
Here’s how much the 2027 COLA could increase average benefits by state
Average Social Security benefits vary quite a bit by state. The table breaks down each state’s average Social Security benefit as of December 2024, its estimated average benefit for 2026 with this year’s 2.8% COLA factored in, and its estimated 2027 benefit, which assumes a 3.8% COLA.
|
State |
Average Benefit (December 2024) |
Estimated Average Benefit (2026) |
Estimated Average Benefit With 3.8% 2027 COLA |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Alabama |
$1,920.20 |
$1,973.97 |
$2,048.98 |
|
Alaska |
$1,906.99 |
$1,960.39 |
$2,034.88 |
|
Arizona |
$2,019.52 |
$2,076.07 |
$2,154.96 |
|
Arkansas |
$1,852.07 |
$1,903.93 |
$1,976.28 |
|
California |
$1,935.16 |
$1,989.34 |
$2,064.94 |
|
Colorado |
$2,036.79 |
$2,093.82 |
$2,173.39 |
|
Connecticut |
$2,196.15 |
$2,257.64 |
$2,343.43 |
|
Delaware |
$2,170.63 |
$2,231.41 |
$2,316.20 |
|
Florida |
$1,961.58 |
$2,016.50 |
$2,093.13 |
|
Georgia |
$1,924.43 |
$1,978.31 |
$2,053.49 |
|
Hawaii |
$1,980.89 |
$2,036.35 |
$2,113.74 |
|
Idaho |
$1,951.43 |
$2,006.07 |
$2,082.30 |
|
Illinois |
$2,004.98 |
$2,061.12 |
$2,139.44 |
|
Indiana |
$2,033.94 |
$2,090.89 |
$2,170.34 |
|
Iowa |
$1,992.07 |
$2,047.85 |
$2,125.67 |
|
Kansas |
$2,055.17 |
$2,112.71 |
$2,193.00 |
|
Kentucky |
$1,865.76 |
$1,918.00 |
$1,990.89 |
|
Louisiana |
$1,818.40 |
$1,869.32 |
$1,940.35 |
|
Maine |
$1,888.67 |
$1,941.55 |
$2,015.33 |
|
Maryland |
$2,139.54 |
$2,199.45 |
$2,283.03 |
|
Massachusetts |
$2,084.32 |
$2,142.68 |
$2,224.10 |
|
Michigan |
$2,066.03 |
$2,123.88 |
$2,204.59 |
|
Minnesota |
$2,095.13 |
$2,153.79 |
$2,235.64 |
|
Mississippi |
$1,814.24 |
$1,865.04 |
$1,935.91 |
|
Missouri |
$1,936.50 |
$1,990.72 |
$2,066.37 |
|
Montana |
$1,886.95 |
$1,939.78 |
$2,013.50 |
|
Nebraska |
$2,010.80 |
$2,067.10 |
$2,145.65 |
|
Nevada |
$1,906.36 |
$1,959.74 |
$2,034.21 |
|
New Hampshire |
$2,183.82 |
$2,244.97 |
$2,330.28 |
|
New Jersey |
$2,190.05 |
$2,251.37 |
$2,336.92 |
|
New Mexico |
$1,865.12 |
$1,917.34 |
$1,990.20 |
|
New York |
$2,018.22 |
$2,074.73 |
$2,153.57 |
|
North Carolina |
$1,980.01 |
$2,035.45 |
$2,112.80 |
|
North Dakota |
$1,928.53 |
$1,982.53 |
$2,057.86 |
|
Ohio |
$1,922.91 |
$1,976.75 |
$2,051.87 |
|
Oklahoma |
$1,921.69 |
$1,975.50 |
$2,050.57 |
|
Oregon |
$1,989.74 |
$2,045.45 |
$2,123.18 |
|
Pennsylvania |
$2,052.30 |
$2,109.76 |
$2,189.94 |
|
Rhode Island |
$2,049.82 |
$2,107.21 |
$2,187.29 |
|
South Carolina |
$1,996.30 |
$2,052.20 |
$2,130.18 |
|
South Dakota |
$1,919.29 |
$1,973.03 |
$2,048.01 |
|
Tennessee |
$1,958.01 |
$2,012.83 |
$2,089.32 |
|
Texas |
$1,932.02 |
$1,986.12 |
$2,061.59 |
|
Utah |
$2,065.18 |
$2,123.01 |
$2,203.68 |
|
Vermont |
$2,039.64 |
$2,096.75 |
$2,176.43 |
|
Virginia |
$2,063.95 |
$2,121.74 |
$2,202.37 |
|
Washington |
$2,099.38 |
$2,158.16 |
$2,240.17 |
|
West Virginia |
$1,898.05 |
$1,951.20 |
$2,025.34 |
|
Wisconsin |
$2,027.60 |
$2,084.37 |
$2,163.58 |
|
Wyoming |
$2,023.54 |
$2,080.20 |
$2,159.25 |
Data source: Social Security Administration and author’s personal calculations.
Many states will see their average checks cross the $2,000 mark for the first time, while some of the wealthier New England states will see their average benefits exceed $2,300. But it’s important to remember that these are only averages. There will still be a lot of variance among individuals within each state.
Once the Social Security Administration announces the official 2027 COLA in mid-October, you’ll be able to estimate what your checks will look like next year by adding the COLA percentage to your current benefit. Keep your eye out for a personalized COLA notice in December as well.
