Kansas ranks first in FinanceBuzz’s December 2025 comparison of Social Security benefits with estimated expenses for residents aged 65 and older: its modeled average benefit covered 44.8% of annual expenses. Oklahoma, Indiana, Minnesota, and Iowa followed. That is one method-based estimate—not a promise about what any retiree’s check will cover. A separate AARP comparison using basic-needs costs produced a different set of leading states.
What “stretch furthest” means
A useful way to define “furthest” is the share of estimated expenses covered by estimated Social Security benefits. That is different from ranking states by the size of their average monthly checks: a larger check can still cover less where expenses are higher.
FinanceBuzz’s December 2025 comparison estimated annual benefits and expenses for people aged 65 and older. Its expense baseline used 2023 Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey data, adjusted for 2.89% inflation and then by state using MERIC’s 2024 cost-of-living data. Its Social Security payment and recipient data were from 2024. The resulting percentages are modeled comparisons, not measurements of every household’s spending or income. FinanceBuzz explains its state comparison and methodology.
States where benefits covered the largest share of expenses
These are FinanceBuzz’s reported figures for the five highest-ranked states. Annual amounts and percentages are estimates from that comparison.
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| Rank | State | Estimated annual expenses | Estimated annual Social Security | Expenses covered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas | $54,961 | $24,603 | 44.8% |
| 2 | Oklahoma | $52,179 | $23,020 | 44.1% |
| 3 | Indiana | $56,012 | $24,388 | 43.5% |
| 4 | Minnesota | $58,238 | $25,065 | 43.0% |
| 5 | Iowa | $55,827 | $23,867 | 42.8% |
None of the states reached 50% coverage in this model, and about half reached at least 40%. At the low end, FinanceBuzz reported Hawaii at 21.3%, Massachusetts at 26.5%, California at 27.1%, the District of Columbia at 28.6%, and Alaska at 29.0%. See FinanceBuzz’s full state results.
Why another ranking may name different states
There is no single universal “best state” ranking. Results depend on which benefit population and time period are used, and whether costs reflect general state living costs or a senior-focused basic-needs budget.
Rank #2
AARP’s article, updated June 10, 2026, compares Social Security payment information with the Elder Index’s cost-of-living and basic-needs estimates. It identifies Indiana, West Virginia, Alabama, and Michigan among the states where benefits went furthest in 2025. That is a separate comparison; its results should not be combined with FinanceBuzz’s percentages as if both used the same inputs. Read AARP’s Elder Index comparison.
A high average check does not necessarily buy more
Kiplinger’s state table, in an article accessed October 7, 2026, reports the following average monthly retired-worker benefits for December 2025. These benefit amounts are not the same measure as FinanceBuzz’s estimated share of expenses.
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Rank #3
| December 2025 rank by average check | State | Average monthly retired-worker benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Highest 1 | Connecticut | $2,308.36 |
| Highest 2 | New Hampshire | $2,297.70 |
| Highest 3 | New Jersey | $2,287.75 |
| Highest 4 | Delaware | $2,273.77 |
| Highest 5 | Maryland | $2,257.51 |
| Lowest 1 | Mississippi | $1,889.72 |
| Lowest 2 | Louisiana | $1,927.15 |
| Lowest 3 | Arkansas | $1,932.29 |
| Lowest 4 | Kentucky | $1,953.13 |
| Lowest 5 | New Mexico | $1,954.67 |
Connecticut had the highest listed average monthly retired-worker check in Kiplinger’s December 2025 table, but FinanceBuzz estimated that Social Security covered 37.1% of expenses there. Kansas ranked first in FinanceBuzz’s coverage calculation. An average state benefit does not predict an individual’s check, and a state-level expense estimate does not capture a particular person’s budget. Kiplinger’s state table reports the December 2025 averages.
What changed with the 2026 cost-of-living adjustment
The Social Security Administration determined a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment on October 24, 2025. It first applied to benefits payable in January 2026. SSA estimated that the average retired-worker benefit rose from $2,015 to $2,072 per month, a $57 increase, based on actual benefit data through August 2025. SSA says the next COLA will be announced in October 2026. These national figures provide current benefit context, but they do not update FinanceBuzz’s state expense-coverage model, which uses 2024 SSA data. SSA’s COLA page gives the adjustment schedule; SSA lists its estimated effect on average benefits.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to use the rankings for your own decision
Use the published rankings as a starting point for comparing broad patterns, not as a forecast of your retirement budget. Your result can differ with your benefit amount, housing costs, medical spending, household size, and other expenses. The cited state comparisons do not establish how state taxes, housing tenure, local medical costs, or household composition change the result.
Quick Recap
- Compare the same kind of benefit measure and reference period when reviewing state figures; an average retired-worker payment is not interchangeable with a model covering a broader recipient group.
- Check what the cost estimate includes. A general cost-of-living index and a senior basic-needs index answer different questions.
- Build a household budget with the costs that matter to you, rather than assuming a statewide average represents your rent or mortgage, health expenses, or other needs.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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