Social Security in New York: 2027 COLA, Average Benefit, SSI & Taxes
New York by the numbers
| Measure | New York |
|---|---|
| Average retired-worker benefit (Dec 2024) | $2,018/mo |
| Estimated 2027 average after the 3.6% COLA | about $2,091/mo |
| Rank by average benefit (50 states + DC) | #21 of 51 |
| Retired workers receiving benefits | 2,908,411 |
| All Social Security beneficiaries in New York | 3,838,030 |
| Total benefits paid in New York, 2024 (all programs) | $84.2 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 York
Administered by the Social Security Administration. New York'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: $87.00 a month for an individual living independently — $23 if living with others, and a couple living alone gets $104.00 (N.Y. Social Services Law §209). Added to the 2027 federal maximum, the top combined SSI payment in New York is $1,116.00 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 York tax Social Security benefits?
No. New York 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.)
Good to know in New York
New York State — and New York City — do not tax Social Security benefits. The state does tax most other retirement income, with exclusions, so a New York retiree's overall state tax bill depends on their other income.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average Social Security benefit in New York?
$2,018 a month for a retired worker, from the SSA's December 2024 data — ranked #21 of the 50 states and DC. With the 3.6% COLA the 2027 average is about $2,091. An average reflects a lifetime of earnings and claiming ages in the state; your own amount depends on your record.
Does New York tax Social Security benefits?
No. New York fully exempts Social Security benefits from its state income tax.
Does New York 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 $87.00 a month.
When does the 2027 COLA arrive in New York?
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 York revenue-department rules as published for the most recent tax year. Benefit figures are estimates; your SSA notice is the official amount.