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Here’s How Many People Receive Social Security in Every State

October 14, 2025 — 07:04 am EDT

Written by Travis Woods for GOBankingRates->

A recent study has found a number of surprises in just how many – or just how few – Social Security recipients there are in every state. Visual Capitalist used data from the Social Security Administration to discern just how many Americans received Social Security retirement, disability (OASDI) or survivor benefits — and the results revealed some unexpected trends.

Check Out: How Far $1.5 Million in Retirement Savings Plus Social Security Goes in Every State

For instance, just 22% of Florida’s population collects Social Security benefits — that’s only 2% higher than the national average of 20%. Given Florida’s reputation as one of America’s most popular retirement destinations, 22% seems rather low. The reason for this? As Visual Capitalist notes, it’s because of evolving population dispersals — more and more retired Americans are seeking to spend their golden years in states such as North Carolina (21%) and South Carolina (24%).

Elsewhere, states such as Alaska (16%), Texas (15%) and Utah (14%) — the three states with the lowest population percentage receiving Social Security benefits — have high youth migration numbers. Those states are experiencing very healthy job markets, attracting young Americans to join their populations, which then offsets the percentages.

Meanwhile, younger citizens are moving out of states like Maine and West Virginia, which is why they both have the highest population percentages (27%) receiving Social Security benefits.

As of August 2025, the average retired worker receives $2,007 in Social Security benefits per month; meanwhile, overall recipients listed in this study (including retirees, survivors and the disabled) receive $1,865 per month on average.

Also see the average payment in every state.

Salt Lake City skyline at sunset with Wasatch Mountains in the background, Utah, USA.

50. Utah

Number of people receiving Social Security: 701,000
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 14%

Also See: How Far $750,000 in Retirement Savings Plus Social Security Goes in Every State

Find Out: 6 Best Side Hustles for Seniors To Offset Social Security Cuts

Cityscape of downtown Austin from the west in Zilker park 2025 stock photo

49. Texas

Number of people receiving Social Security: 6.3 million
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 15%

See More: How Much the Average Upper-Class Retiree Claims in Social Security Benefits at Age 65

Haines Alaska from across the water with snow on the mountains.

48. Alaska

Number of people receiving Social Security: 148,000
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 16%

Annapolis, MD, USA - February 8, 2023: The image is of the city of Annapolis, Maryland.

47. Maryland

Number of people receiving Social Security: 1.3 million
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 17%

46. Colorado

Number of people receiving Social Security: 1.2 million
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 17%

Aerial view of the coastal community of La Jolla, California approximately 10 miles north of downtown San Diego shot via helicopter from an altitude of about 300 feet over the Pacific Ocean.

45. California

Number of people receiving Social Security: 7.9 million
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 17%

Newark is the largest city in New Jersey.

44. New Jersey

Number of people receiving Social Security: 1.9 million
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 18%

Discover More: How Far $500,000 in Retirement Savings Plus Social Security Goes in Every State

A scenic view of the Golden Isles at sunset in the American state of Georgia

43. Georgia

Number of people receiving Social Security: 2.2 million
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 18%

The skyline of Seattle, Washington, USA with the Space Needle observation tower on a sunny day.

42. Washington

Number of people receiving Social Security: 1.6 million
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 19%

41. Virginia

Number of people receiving Social Security: 1.8 million
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 19%

This Bridge runs over the valley in Valley City North Dakota.

40. North Dakota

Number of people receiving Social Security: 159,000
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 19%

Albany skyline with autumn colored trees in the foreground and rolling, puffy clouds with a blue sky in the background.

39. New York

Number of people receiving Social Security: 4 million
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 19%

Learn About: 8 Common Mistakes Retirees Make With Their Social Security Checks

Reno, USA - May 31, 2016: Reno, known as The Biggest Little City in the World, is famous for it's casinos, and is the birthplace of the gaming corporation Harrah's Entertainment.

38. Nevada

Number of people receiving Social Security: 653,000
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 19%

Shot of the sunrise on a wintery morning over the city skyline with tall buildings in Omaha, NE

37. Nebraska

Number of people receiving Social Security: 401,000
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 19%

Springfield, Massachusetts, USA stock photo

36. Massachusetts

Number of people receiving Social Security: 1.4 million
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 19%

Chicago Cityscape from Chicago River Waterfront at Dusk.

35. Illinois

Number of people receiving Social Security: 2.5 million
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 19%

Beautiful sunset at Duluth Canal Park Lighthouse with the background of Duluth Downtown.

34. Minnesota

Number of people receiving Social Security: 1.2 million
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 20%

Explore More: America’s 30 Safest and Wealthiest Retirement Towns

Overland Park Kansas Clock Tower stock photo

33. Kansas

Number of people receiving Social Security: 594,000
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 20%

Shot of downtown Boise Idaho in the city center with trees standing next to tall office buildings

32. Idaho

Number of people receiving Social Security: 400,000
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 20%

this beautiful tower sits on the Talcott mountain state park in Simsbury ct.

31. Connecticut

Number of people receiving Social Security: 735,000
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 20%

Prescott is a city in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States.

30. Arizona

Number of people receiving Social Security: 1.5 million
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 20%

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA downtown skyline at twilight.

29. Oklahoma

Number of people receiving Social Security: 819,000
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 21%

Also Discover: 50 Cheapest Places To Retire Across America

Toledo, Ohio, USA downtown skyline on the Maumee River at twilight.

28. Ohio

Number of people receiving Social Security: 2.4 million
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 21%

Asheville, North Carolina, USA at twilight.

27. North Carolina

Number of people receiving Social Security: 2.2 million
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 21%

New Orleans paddle steamer in Mississippi river in New Orleans, Louisiana.

26. Louisiana

Number of people receiving Social Security: 920,000
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 21%

Image of Bloomington Indiana downtown The Square with courthouse aerial.

25. Indiana

Number of people receiving Social Security: 1.4 million
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 21%

The beautiful coastline Honolulu Hawaii shot from an altitude of about 500 feet during a helicopter photo flight over the Pacific Ocean.

24. Hawaii

Number of people receiving Social Security: 289,000
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 21%

Also Read: Social Security Full Retirement Age Went Up This Month — Why It May Continue To Rise

Casper is a city in and the county seat of Natrona County, Wyoming, United States.

23. Wyoming

Number of people receiving Social Security: 118,000
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 22%

Nashville skyline with river and sunset.

22. Tennessee

Number of people receiving Social Security: 1.4 million
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 22%

PIERRE, SD - JULY 9, 2018: South Dakota Capital Building along Capitol Lake in Pierre, SD at sunset.

21. South Dakota

Number of people receiving Social Security: 185,000
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 22%

Overhead shot of Providence, Rhode Island with the sun coming up behind the city skyline and tops of trees

20. Rhode Island

Number of people receiving Social Security: 222,000
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 22%

19. Oregon

Number of people receiving Social Security: 854,000
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 22%

Examples of the adobe architecture of Taos Pueblo, in New Mexico, a multistory adobe complex inhabited by Native Americans for centuries.

18. New Mexico

Number of people receiving Social Security: 426,000
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 22%

17. Missouri

Number of people receiving Social Security: 1.2 million
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 22%

Aerial View of Downtown Sioux City, Iowa at Dusk.

16. Iowa

Number of people receiving Social Security: 648,000
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 22%

15. Florida

Number of people receiving Social Security: 4.7 million
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 22%

Picture of Wausau Wisconsin, with the tall city buildings next to a crisp blue lake and sunrise sky

14. Wisconsin

Number of people receiving Social Security: 1.2 million
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 23%

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA in autumn overlooking Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

13. Pennsylvania

Number of people receiving Social Security: 2.6 million
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 23%

Also See: 41 States That Won’t Tax Social Security Benefits in 2025

Shot of downtown Anaconda, Montana with the snowy mountains against the city street with buildings and cars driving by

12. Montana

Number of people receiving Social Security: 227,000
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 23%

A picture of the Kalamazoo Cityscape in Michigan City with building and a lake in front in the daytime

11. Michigan

Number of people receiving Social Security: 2 million
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 23%

The Kentucky River meanders along framing the downtown urban core of Frankfort KY.

10. Kentucky

Number of people receiving Social Security: 918,000
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 23%

This is Big Spring Park in Huntsville, Alabama during the spring time.

9. Alabama

Number of people receiving Social Security: 1 million
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 23%

Read This: Social Security Benefits Might Be Harder To Qualify for in the Future — Here’s What You Need To Know

Myrtle Beach Sunset South Carolina stock photo

8. South Carolina

Number of people receiving Social Security: 1.1 million
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 24%

The Winnipesaukee River, in Laconia, New Hampshire.

7. New Hampshire

Number of people receiving Social Security: 282,000
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 24%

Jackson, Mississippi, USA skyline over the Capitol Building.

6. Mississippi

Number of people receiving Social Security: 589,000
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 24%

Wilmington is the largest city in the state of Delaware, United States and is located at the confluence of the Christina River and Brandywine Creek.

5. Delaware

Number of people receiving Social Security: 210,000
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 24%

Little Rock, Arkansas, USA skyline on the river at twilight.

4. Arkansas

Number of people receiving Social Security: 618,000
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 24%

For You: Need To Cut Expenses While on Social Security? Here’s the First Thing To Get Rid Of

Aerial view of small town Stowe, Vermont with rolling hills, city buildings and fall colors against a blue sky

3. Vermont

Number of people receiving Social Security: 130,000
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 25%

Fairfax is an independent city in Virginia.

2. West Virginia

Number of people receiving Social Security: 354,000
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 27%

Aerial view of Camden, Maine harbor in fall from Mount Battie.

1. Maine

Number of people receiving Social Security: 281,000
Percentage of population receiving Social Security: 27%

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