3. Maryland

Proximity to the nation’s capital heavily influences Maryland’s commanding position on this list. The state is home to numerous federal agencies, massive defense contractors, and highly specialized bioscience firms. Government contractors, cybersecurity experts, and tech workers in areas like Bethesda and Rockville command premium salaries. Maryland also holds one of the highest concentrations of residents with advanced academic degrees in the country; higher education reliably correlates with elevated lifetime earnings, pushing their retirement checks past the $2,400 mark.

4. New Jersey

Acting as a primary residential hub for professionals commuting into New York City, New Jersey captures the retirement data of some of the highest earners in the global corporate and financial sectors. The state itself also hosts a massive pharmaceutical and telecommunications industry. While the cost of living in New Jersey is notoriously high, the corresponding salaries demanded during the working years result in robust Social Security checks when those workers finally leave the labor force.