For many Americans, Social Security is the main source of retirement income. In fact, according to research by SmartAsset, the average retiree in the U.S. received 41.6% of his or her total income of $50,780 from Social Security in 2021, slightly up from 41.50% in its 2022 study.
Depending on where you live, that percentage could be as much as 50% of overall retirement income, according to SmartAsset.
SmartAsset’s sixth edition of a study on the cities where retirees rely most on Social Security found that seniors in Midwestern cities continue to be more reliant on Social Security, while California seniors have other sources of income.
The financial technology company examined data for social security income as a percentage of overall retirement income in the 100 cities with the largest population of residents 65 and older. Specifically, it looked at average retirement income for senior households and average Social Security income for senior households, using the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 one-year American Community Survey.
Here is SmartAsset’s list of top 15 cities where retirees rely most on Social Security:
15. Pittsburgh
Retirees in Pittsburgh have an average annual income of $41,538, of which just under half (45.23%) comes from Social Security.
14. Minneapolis
Retirees in the city have an average annual income of $45,088, of which just under half (45.51%) comes from Social Security. Minneapolis also was among the cities that experienced an increase (38.6% to 45.5%) in people relying on Social Security from 2020 to 2021.
13. Oklahoma City
Social Security makes up 45.54% of total retirement income for retirees in Oklahoma City. The city’s seniors have an average annual income of $46,005.
12. Kansas City
Retirees in Kansas City have an average annual income of $45,757, of which just under half (45.93%) comes from Social Security.
11. Tulsa, Okla.
Social Security makes up 46.05% of total retirement income for retirees in Tulsa. The city’s seniors have an average annual income of $45,270.
10. Charlotte, N.C.
Retirees in Charlotte have an average annual income of $46,357, of which just under half (46.08%) comes from Social Security. The city had a 12.89% growth in its senior population. Also, compared to last year, the city jumped in ranking from 45th to 10th in terms of seniors relying on Social Security.
9. Akron, Ohio
Social Security makes up 46.13% of total retirement income for retirees in Akron. The city’s seniors have an average annual income of $39,610.
8. Hialeah, Fla.
Retirees in Hialeah have an average annual income of $29,165, of which (46.35%) comes from Social Security.
7. Indianapolis
Retirees in Indianapolis have an average annual income of $43,802, of which just under half (46.67%) comes from Social Security.
6. Detroit
Detroit has a high percentage of retirees who are reliant on Social Security, with the benefit being 46.72% of their total retirement income ($37,320).
5. Surprise, Ariz.
The city has the second-highest average Social Security benefit across the study at $24,890, which accounts for 46.78% of the total retirement income. Located about 30 miles northwest of Phoenix, the city’s senior population declined by 2.51% between 2017 and 2021.
4. Lincoln, Neb.
Lincoln’s population grew 14.20% between 2017 and 2021. The city has 43,000 seniors 65 and older. Retirees here rely on Social Security for 47.10% of their total income ($49,979), up from 45.56% a year ago.
3. Nashville, Tenn.
Social Security makes up 48.15% of Nashville retirees’ total retirement income ($46,133), which is up from 45.80% in the 2022 study. The city, which has 89,000 seniors 65 and older, boasts legendary live music venues like the Grand Ole Opry and Bluebird Cafe.
2. Wichita, Kan.
Just under half (49.81%) of Wichita’s retirees’ average income of $45,220 comes from Social Security. The city is home to more than 62,500 residents aged 65 and older. Its cultural activities such as the Wichita Symphony Orchestra, the Wichita Art Museum and the Orpheum Theatre, are a big draw.
1. Fort Wayne, Ind.
Fort Wayne has steadily been at the top for five years. Retirees in the city get more than half (50.04%) of their overall retirement income from Social Security, a drop from last year when it was 52% of retiree income. Noteworthy is that the 65 and older population in the city has grown 8.87% between 2017 and 2021.
The full report can be viewed here.
