Do Social Security benefit amounts differ between Alabama and Georgia? State residency impact question

Social Security retirement benefits are federally administered and the basic benefit amount doesn't change based on which state you live in. The formula for calculating benefits is based on your earnings history and age when you claim, not your state of residence. However, there are a few state-specific factors that might affect your friend's overall financial situation: 1. State income taxes - Some states tax Social Security benefits, others don't. Georgia offers favorable tax treatment for retirees and doesn't tax Social Security, while Alabama also doesn't tax Social Security benefits. 2. Cost of living - This doesn't affect the actual benefit amount but can affect how far those dollars stretch. 3. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - If your friend receives SSI in addition to retirement benefits, the federal base rate is the same, but state supplements vary. But for standard Social Security retirement benefits, the amount won't change just because she moves from Georgia to Alabama.

ur friend will be fine moving to alabama! my parents moved from florida to alabama 3 yrs ago and their SS checks stayed EXACTLY the same amount. the only thing that changed was they had to notify SSA of their new address which was super easy to do online. took like 5 minutes.

While the base Social Security benefit doesn't change between states, your friend should consider the total financial picture. Here's what to know about Alabama vs. Georgia: - Alabama has lower overall cost of living than Georgia (especially compared to Atlanta metro) - Both states don't tax Social Security benefits - Alabama has lower property taxes generally - Georgia offers better additional tax breaks for seniors (higher exemptions) - Medicare supplemental insurance costs can vary between states If your friend is turning 65, make sure they're also thinking about Medicare enrollment, which needs to be handled separately from Social Security. The initial enrollment period starts 3 months before their birth month. As for notifying SSA about an address change, they should do this promptly to avoid any mail issues with their benefits information.

I moved from Mississippi to Alabama in 2022 and had NOTHING but problems with SSA!!! My checks stopped for TWO MONTHS because of "address verification issues" they claimed. Had to visit the local office THREE TIMES to get it fixed!!! The employees kept giving different answers each time. Finally got backpay but it was a NIGHTMARE. The system is BROKEN!!! Tell your friend to change her address AT LEAST a month before moving and KEEP CALLING to verify it went through!!! Don't trust the online system!!!

Something nobody's mentioned - if your friend is receiving both Social Security AND SSI benefits (not just regular retirement), then moving to a different state CAN affect the SSI portion. Some states add supplements to federal SSI payments. But for regular Social Security retirement benefits, the amount is 100% the same regardless of state. Also, she should consider healthcare costs beyond just Medicare - Medigap prices can vary significantly by state and county!

my aunt moved to alabama from georgia last year and her benefits stayed the same. but the COL is wayyyy lower in alabama so her money goes further now. she says she should have moved years ago lol

ALSO!!! Tell your friend to check if she's getting any state-specific senior benefits in Georgia that might not be available in Alabama!!! Each state has different programs for seniors beyond Social Security!!! Georgia has better property tax exemptions for seniors than Alabama in some counties!!!

Thank you all for the helpful information! I've shared all this with my friend and she feels much better about the move now. She's going to make sure to update her address well in advance and check on her Medicare coverage options in the new location. It's good to know the actual Social Security amount won't change - that was her biggest worry. I appreciate everyone taking the time to share your experiences and knowledge!

One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned - if your friend is planning to work part-time after claiming Social Security at 65, she should be aware that Alabama and Georgia have different state tax rates on earned income. While her SS benefits won't be taxed in either state, any part-time work income will be subject to different state tax rates. Alabama generally has lower income tax rates than Georgia, which could be another small financial benefit of the move. Also, if she's not already enrolled in Medicare Part B, she'll want to make sure her new doctors in Alabama accept Medicare assignment to avoid unexpected costs!

As someone who recently helped my elderly mother navigate a similar interstate move, I'd recommend your friend also check with her local Area Agency on Aging in both Georgia and Alabama. They often have resources and programs that can vary significantly between states - things like transportation assistance, meal programs, home weatherization help, etc. Also, if she's currently receiving any utility assistance or prescription drug help through Georgia state programs, she'll want to research what's available in Alabama. The LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) and other state-administered programs can have different eligibility requirements and benefit amounts. One last tip - if she banks with a regional bank that doesn't have branches in Alabama, now might be a good time to switch to a bank with better coverage in her new area to avoid ATM fees and service issues.