Local retirees get above average in Social Security

Island County retirees receive more Social Security benefits on average than people in most other counties in the state, according to a study by SmartAsset.

Retirees who live in Island County collect an average of $20,067 a year in Social Security payments.

People in only two other counties, Klickitat and Wahkiakum, receive more in average benefits.

People in Skagit County, for example, receive an average of $19,508 in Social Security.

The company estimates that the cost of living in Island County is $20,743 a year, which means the average retired person doesn’t collect quite enough in Social Security to cover costs.

Of the counties with the least total taxes in the state, Island County ranks as tenth lowest among the state’s 39 counties, SmartAsset reports.

The ranking takes into account taxes for both municipalities and unincorporated areas.

About 940,000 people in the state collect Social Security benefits. The average amount in Washington state is $17,664, according to the IRS.

Many Island County residents also receive military retirement benefits. Island County has the highest percentage of veterans among other counties in the state, according to the U.S. Census.