Social Security Dependency in 2023 : Regional Variation in Retirement Income Sources

Social Security Dependency in 2023: Regional Variation in Retirement Income Sources. Social Security benefits serve as a supplemental rather than primary source of retirement income for Americans due to their limited monthly payouts.

Social Security Dependency in 2023: Regional Variation in Retirement Income Sources

Nonetheless, a substantial portion of elderly individuals heavily depend on Social Security during their retirement years. This reliance poses challenges in light of the financial landscape of retirement in the United States.

Social Security Payment vs. Retirement Expenses

As of June 2023, the average Social Security payment for retired workers stands at $1,837 per month, as reported by the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, contrasting this with pre-2021 data – before the onset of significant inflation – retirees aged 65 and above had an average annual expenditure of $52,141, equivalent to $4,385 monthly.

These figures, derived from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data as cited in a RetireGuide blog, highlight the disparity between Social Security payments and the cost of living in retirement.

Supplementing Retirement Income

Given the financial disparity, relying solely on Social Security for retirement income is inadvisable. Building a secure financial future in retirement necessitates accumulating savings through retirement vehicles like 401(k)s, IRAs, and similar accounts.

Geographic Disparities in Social Security Dependence

Geographic locations within the United States exhibit differing degrees of success in mitigating Social Security dependency. A recent analysis conducted by SmartAsset indicates that, on average, U.S. retirees derived 41.5% of their total income from Social Security in 2022. Some cities experienced an even higher reliance, with Social Security comprising up to half of their overall retirement income.

Regional Trends in Social Security Reliance

Retirees residing in Midwestern cities generally exhibit the greatest reliance on Social Security, while those in California demonstrate a lesser dependence. This trend is reflective of California’s notably higher cost of living compared to much of the country.

Cities with Highest Social Security Reliance

1. Fort Wayne, Indiana: Over half (50.04%) of retirees’ total retirement income originates from Social Security.
2. Wichita, Kansas: Social Security contributes to 49.81% of retirement income.
3. Nashville, Tennessee: 48.15% of retirement income is derived from Social Security.
4. Lincoln, Nebraska: Social Security constitutes 47.1% of retirement income.
5. Surprise, Arizona: 46.78% of retirement income comes from Social Security.

Minimal Social Security Reliance in Specific Locations

Conversely, regions within California predominantly exhibit lower Social Security reliance, with one exception in Washington, D.C. The nation’s capital sees the lowest dependence on Social Security, accounting for a mere 30.22% of total retirement income.

Following Washington, the subsequent four cities in California showcase similar patterns:

1. Chula Vista: Social Security makes up 31.63% of retirement income.
2. Riverside: 33.53% of retirement income comes from Social Security.
3. Sacramento: Social Security contributes to 33.56% of retirement income.
4. Glendale: 33.88% of retirement income is sourced from Social Security.