Social Security Faces 22% Benefit Cut, Hitting 10 States Hardest
Updated
Updated · AOL · Nov 7
Social Security Faces 22% Benefit Cut, Hitting 10 States Hardest
3 articles · Updated · AOL · Nov 7
Summary
A projected 22% Social Security cut would reduce a $2,500 monthly check to about $1,950 if Congress does not shore up the program within the next few years.
The shortfall stems from Social Security paying out more than it collects as Americans live longer and retire earlier; the worker-to-beneficiary ratio has fallen to 2.6 in 2026 from 41.9 in 1945.
CRFB modeling based on the 2025 trustees report found the biggest state-level impacts in Connecticut, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Delaware and Maryland, with average monthly retiree cuts of roughly $541 to $556.
Michigan, Washington, Minnesota, Massachusetts and Utah also rank among the 10 most affected states, underscoring that insolvency would hit retirees nationwide even if losses vary by benefit levels.
The report notes Congress still has options to avert the cuts, while the average retirement benefit was only $2,089 a month as of September, leaving many households exposed.