Social Security Leaves Retirees Short in All 50 States Despite Projected 3.6% COLA
Updated
Updated · Newsweek · Sep 15
Social Security Leaves Retirees Short in All 50 States Despite Projected 3.6% COLA
2 articles · Updated · Newsweek · Sep 15
Summary
$25,716 in projected annual Social Security benefits falls short of the after-tax income needed for a single adult in every state, with an average gap of about $15,052.
California shows the widest shortfall at $25,700, followed by Hawaii at $25,055 and Massachusetts at $24,981; even West Virginia, the smallest gap, is still $8,283 above the projected benefit.
AARP projects a 3.6% 2027 cost-of-living adjustment—about $75 a month for the average retired worker—while TSCL sees 3.5% and CRFB 3.4%, all above 2026's 2.8% increase.
The gap matters most for retirees heavily dependent on the program: TSCL estimates 24.6 million seniors get 100% of their income from Social Security, while Federal Reserve data show financial well-being drops sharply for retirees without private income.
September CPI-W data due October 14 will determine the final 2027 COLA, which the Social Security Administration is expected to announce that day for January 2027 payments.