Social Security benefits for retired workers are indirectly influenced by their state of residence.

Social Security benefits are an important source of income for most retired workers, so the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is always a highly anticipated event. Next week, the Social Security Administration will announce the upcoming 2026 COLA on Oct. 15, provided the federal government shutdown has ended.

The latest forecast from The Senior Citizens League, a nonpartisan senior advocacy group, says benefits will increase 2.7% next year. But while all retirees will see their Social Security payments adjusted by the same percentage, pay increases as measured in dollars will vary widely. Read on to learn the 10 states in which retirees will get the largest COLAs in 2026.

Social Sec

See Full Page