Locals among highest paid in Social Security

The parish ranks second in the state with $18,035

St. Charles Parish retirees rank among the highest paid in Social Security in Louisiana, an indicator they are among higher 2018 recipients statewide.

The parish only ranks second to West Feliciana Parish’s $19,283 a year, according to a study by the SmartAsset, a financial technology company. St. Charles Parish residents average $18,035 a year. The ranking is up from fourth place last year when annual payment was $17,247.

Statewide, Social Security recipients average $15,580 a year while cost of living is $18,661. The state payment figure crept upward from $15,260 in 2017.

However, the parish’s yearly cost of living was reported at $20,352, ranking it 57th among the higher costing places to live. The parish was tied with St. Tammany and Jefferson parishes in this category.

Lowest cost of living was reported in Avoyelles Parish at $16,800 a year while Social Security paid was $13,367 this year.

In the category, “Social Security goes furthest,” St. James Parish ranked first with Social Security payments of $17,092, which  were about the same as cost of living.

St. Charles Parish ranked 15th in Louisiana in this category with cost of living.