The 2026 Social Security COLA is officially set at 2.8% nationwide, but the actual dollar boost you’ll see in your monthly check isn’t the same for everyone — and where you live plays a surprisingly huge role. Thanks to state-specific supplements, higher average benefit levels, and generous cost-of-living formulas, retirees in these five states will pocket the biggest Social Security raise in 2026 — in some cases up to $250–$400 more per month than the national average. If you’re on Social Security, SSDI, or SSI, here’s the list every U.S. retiree must know before the first boosted checks hit in January 2026.
1. California – Up to $398 Extra Per Month for Some Recipients California tops the list because it combines the highest average Social Security benefit in the nation ($2,125/month) with the state’s CalFresh-linked SSI supplement that also gets the 2.8% federal bump. Dual-eligible seniors (Social Security + SSI) in California will see the biggest Social Security raise in 2026 — some receiving an extra $350–$398 monthly once both federal and state increases hit simultaneously in January.
2. New Jersey – Average Boost of $178–$210 Per Month The Garden State ranks second thanks to sky-high average retirement benefits ($2,089/month) driven by decades of strong wages and property values. When the 2.8% COLA is applied to these already-elevated checks, New Jersey retirees will see the second-biggest Social Security raise in 2026 — with many 100% rated recipients jumping from $4,018 to over $4,200 monthly.
3. Connecticut – Third-Largest Dollar Increase Nationwide Connecticut’s retirees start from an average base of $2,078 per month — the third-highest in the country. That means the same 2.8% COLA delivers a fatter dollar amount here than in lower-benefit states. Add the state’s generous property tax credit for seniors tied to Social Security income, and many Nutmeg State residents will feel the biggest Social Security raise in 2026 in real purchasing power.
4. Massachusetts – High Benefits + Strong State Supplements The Bay State clocks in with an average benefit of $2,065 and one of the most robust state SSI supplements in the Northeast. When the federal 2.8% COLA flows through to both Social Security and the state supplement, Massachusetts seniors — especially those on SSI — will see combined increases pushing $300+ per month for some households, making it one of the clear winners for the biggest Social Security raise in 2026.
5. Hawaii – Highest Cost of Living = Biggest Effective Boost Hawaii rounds out the top five with average benefits around $2,050 and the nation’s highest cost-of-living index. While the dollar increase mirrors other high-benefit states, the real-world impact of the 2.8% COLA stretches furthest here — groceries, utilities, and rent eat more income, so the same $180–$200 boost feels like winning the lottery compared to lower-cost states.
Why These 5 States Get the Biggest Social Security Raise in 2026
- Higher historical wages = higher lifetime earnings = bigger base benefits
- Strong state SSI supplements that automatically rise with the federal COLA
- Elevated living costs that make every extra dollar count more
- Larger share of maximum-benefit retirees (35+ years of high earnings)
Even if you don’t live in these five states, the national average increase is still a solid $56 per month — but residents here will see $150–$400+ because of where they call home.
Mark your calendar: The first checks reflecting the biggest Social Security raise in 2026 drop January 2026 (SSI sees it December 31, 2025). Log into mySocialSecurity now to see your exact new amount — some recipients in these states are already seeing preview figures over $4,300 monthly.