15 States Where Retirees Would Lose the Most From Social Security Cuts

By Leada Gore
al.com
(TNS)

Barring congressional action, Social Security’s trust funds are set to be depleted by 2032. At that point, tens of millions of retirees could see their monthly benefits cut by 22%.

While the cuts will be brutal, Social Security recipients in 29 states would see a benefit loss of $500 or more per month. Data from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget shows the 15 states that would be hit the hardest by Social Security cuts.

The projected dollar amounts of Social Security vary by state because average monthly payouts differ. States with higher living costs have higher average benefits, meaning any percentage reduction costs them more.

15 states that could lose the most in Social Security cuts (with average loss per month)

1. Connecticut – $556
2. New Jersey – $554
3. New Hampshire – $554
4. Delaware – $549
5. Maryland – $541
6. Washington – $531
7. Minnesota – $530
8. Massachusetts – $527
9. Michigan – $523
10. Utah – $523
11. Virginia – $522
12. Kansas – $520
13. Pennsylvania – $519
14. Rhode Island – $519
15. Vermont – $516

The cuts would average $486 per month in Alabama.

The impact of the cuts would hit different shares of the population, too.

15 states with the greatest percentage of the population impacted by Social Security cuts

1. Maine – 22.9%
2. West Virginia – 22.4%
3. Vermont – 22%
4. Delaware – 21.1%
5. New Hampshire – 21%
6. Montana – 21%
7. South Carolina – 20.6%
8. Wisconsin – 20.2%
9. Michigan – 19.8%
10. Pennsylvania – 19.8%
11. Florida – 19.8%
12. Wyoming – 19.7%
13. Oregon – 19.7%
14. South Dakota – 19.7%
15. Mississippi – 19.6%

Ninteen percent of Alabama’s population would be impacted by the cuts.

The latest projections from the Social Security Board of Trustees showed the reserves of the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund are set to run out in the fourth quarter of 2032. After that, Social Security would only be able to pay 78% of promised benefits.

The bulk of Social Security is funded through dedicated payroll taxes and taxes on benefits. Any shortfall, however, is covered by the trust funds. For the past 16 years, Social Security payments have exceeded its cash income, forcing them to dip into fund reserves to pay benefits. By law, it can’t pay out more in benefits than it receives in revenue, so once the trust fund is gone, cuts will follow.

Photo credit: @govnedlamont/Instagram

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