STATEN ISLAND, NY — More than 3 million New Yorkers who rely on Social Security benefits receive, on average, higher monthly payments than the American average, but not as much as some of their neighbors in nearby states.
While state of residence does not directly affect monthly benefit amounts, a resident’s earnings history does, meaning that states with higher average incomes typically have higher average monthly payments and vice versa.
The average monthly Social Security benefit in all 50 states was $1,825.14, as of December 2022, according to the most recent data from the Social Security Administration.
In New York, the average monthly benefit was $1,873.83, roughly 2.7% higher than the national average.
However, four of New York’s five neighboring states — Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania — all had higher average monthly benefits of $2,020.41, $2,020.14, $1,910.33 and $1,894.52, respectively.
In fact, Connecticut and New Jersey boasted the highest average monthly benefits of any state, followed by Delaware, New Hampshire and Washington, which rounded out the top five with average monthly benefits of $1,988.21, $1,944.48 and $1,933 .04 dollars, respectively.
On the other end of the spectrum, Mississippi had the lowest average monthly benefit at $1,688.52, followed by Louisiana ($1,690.27), Arkansas ($1,718.97), New Mexico ($1,723.77) and Kentucky ( $1,730.48).
INCREASE ANNUAL PROFITS
Each year, Social Security benefits are subject to an annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) based on inflation rates to ensure that monthly payments keep pace with rising costs.
Social Security recipients received a 3.2% COLA in 2024, a significant drop from the 8.7% COLA in 2023, which was the largest increase in four decades.
For 2025, using current inflation data from the Consumer Price Index, it is estimated that there will be a COLA of 2.66% in 2025, according to The Senior Citizens League.
The projected increase of 2.6% would be the lowest since 2020, when monthly benefits rose by just 1.3%.
“With a projected COLA of 2.66% for 2025, it appears that seniors will continue to suffer financial insecurity next year as much as this year,” says Shannon Benton, executive director of the Senior Citizens League.
The organization’s 2024 Seniors Survey found that an overwhelming majority of respondents, 71%, said last year’s 3.2% COLA was not enough to keep up with rising household costs, meaning an increase of 2.66% next year could make things even worse.
Cost-of-living adjustments are determined using data from the third quarter – July, August and September – from the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage and Clerical Workers (CPI-W).
Inflation for these three months is added together, averaged, and then compared to the average of the third quarter of the previous year, where the percentage difference between the current year and the previous year serves as the next year’s COLA rate.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) officially announces the annual COLA in October, meaning recipients have to wait a few more months before finding out exactly how much their benefits will increase.
Possible calculation change
The new federal legislation seeks to change COLA calculations to better align benefits with the actual costs experienced by seniors.
The Elderly Benefit and COLA Enhancement Act, introduced by Rep. Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Arizona, proposes changes to the COLA calculation for Social Security recipients.
If passed, this bill would require the use of the Consumer Price Index for Americans age 62 and older to determine the COLA, replacing the current use of the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage and Clerical Workers (CPI -W).
The proposed change aims to provide a more accurate reflection of the inflation experienced by seniors, particularly in areas such as health care, food and housing. Advocates argue that the CPI-W does not adequately capture the rising costs faced by seniors, leading to insufficient adjustments to Social Security benefits.
“It’s important that the COLA reflects how inflation affects seniors so we can pay our bills and keep our monthly Social Security checks strong,” said Roman Ulman, president of AFSCME Retirees Arizona Chapter 97.
The bill has received support from various organizations, including the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the Alliance for Retired Americans and the AFL-CIO. without Bob Casey, D-Pennsylvania, has introduced companion legislation in the Senate.
If implemented, this new calculation method could lead to increased monthly benefits for Social Security recipients, ensuring that their payments better match the actual expenses they incur.
#average #Social #Security #payout
Image Source : www.silive.com