Social Security in New Jersey: 2027 COLA, Average Benefit, SSI & Taxes
New Jersey by the numbers
| Measure | New Jersey |
|---|---|
| Average retired-worker benefit (Dec 2024) | $2,190/mo |
| Estimated 2027 average after the 3.6% COLA | about $2,269/mo |
| Rank by average benefit (50 states + DC) | #2 of 51 |
| Retired workers receiving benefits | 1,358,286 |
| All Social Security beneficiaries in New Jersey | 1,735,645 |
| Total benefits paid in New Jersey, 2024 (all programs) | $41.4 billion |
Source: SSA Annual Statistical Supplement 2025, Tables 5.J1, 5.J2 and 5.J4 (December 2024). The average is total retired-worker benefits divided by the number of retired workers; the 2027 figure applies the 3.6% COLA to that average and is an estimate — individual benefits vary widely around it. National comparison and every other state: Social Security by state.
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SSI in New Jersey
Administered by the Social Security Administration. New Jersey's supplement is federally administered, so it arrives in the same payment as your federal SSI — no separate application and no separate check.
Standard supplement: $31.25 a month for an individual living independently — the couple rate is $25.35. Added to the 2027 federal maximum, the top combined SSI payment in New Jersey is $1,060.25 for an individual with no other income. Amounts for residential care and other living arrangements differ; the basis and the other states are on the SSI state supplements page.
The federal part is the same everywhere: a 2027 maximum of $1,029 (individual) / $1,544 (couple), first increased payment December 31, 2026. Federal amounts by living arrangement are on the SSI calculator and dates on the SSI payment schedule.
Does New Jersey tax Social Security benefits?
No. New Jersey does not tax Social Security benefits — they are fully exempt from the state income tax. (Federal taxation can still apply — up to 85% of benefits, based on combined income.)
Frequently asked questions
What is the average Social Security benefit in New Jersey?
$2,190 a month for a retired worker, from the SSA's December 2024 data — ranked #2 of the 50 states and DC. With the 3.6% COLA the 2027 average is about $2,269. An average reflects a lifetime of earnings and claiming ages in the state; your own amount depends on your record.
Does New Jersey tax Social Security benefits?
No. New Jersey fully exempts Social Security benefits from its state income tax.
Does New Jersey add a supplement to SSI?
Yes. The supplement is administered by the SSA and paid inside the same check. The standard amount for an individual living independently is $31.25 a month.
When does the 2027 COLA arrive in New Jersey?
On the same federal schedule as everywhere else — the COLA does not vary by state. SSI's first increased payment arrives December 31, 2026, and Social Security's January 2027 payments arrive on the usual birth-date Wednesdays (January 13, 20 and 27), with exact amounts in your December COLA notice.
Sources: SSA Annual Statistical Supplement 2025 (§5.J state tables); SSA SSI state supplementation tables and A Guide to SSI for Groups and Organizations (Jan 2026); New Jersey revenue-department rules as published for the most recent tax year. Benefit figures are estimates; your SSA notice is the official amount.