If Social Security benefits are cut, these states will be hit hardest

Social Security beneficiaries face a possible 22% benefit cut in just six years, if the estimates in the latest Trustees' Report prove accurate. There are few seniors who wouldn't be devastated by a blow like this, but some would get hit much harder than others.

There are 10 states in particular whose residents would experience notable challenges as a result of such a benefit cut. Fortunately, this isn't the most likely outcome.

The following 10 states would fare the worst in terms of total benefits lost as a share of gross domestic product (GDP), according to data from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget:

Many of these states have low average incomes, so a significant reduction in their Social Security checks could put many residents at risk of financial insecurity. The good news is that benefit cuts this large are unlikely. The bad news is that avoiding cuts comes with its own costs.

This isn't the first time that Social Security has faced a financial crisis. It had similar problems in the 1980s, and Congress intervened to keep benefits going out as scheduled. It will likely do the same thing this time around, though we could still be a…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/money/