The 7 Most Tax-Friendly States for Retirement
There are many factors that retirees may consider when moving to a new state, such as culture, weather, and proximity to family. But to some folks, there’s no bigger concern than taxes. Luckily, there’s no need to wonder which states come out on top, as the financial advisers at SmartAsset have determined which U.S. states are considered to be “very tax friendly” toward anyone who’s retired or planning to retire in the near future. Here are seven states with the lowest taxes for retirees.
Alaska

A major reason to move to Alaska is the lack of statewide income tax, which means that all income earned through Social Security or pension payments is completely tax-free. There’s also no estate or inheritance tax in Alaska, meaning that retirees will have no difficulty transferring 100% of their assets to heirs. (Inheritance tax usually depends on where the deceased person lived, not the beneficiary.)
As a bonus, Alaska pays full-time residents who have been an Alaska resident for an entire calendar year and intend to remain indefinitely an annual dividend check (typically over $1,000) as part of the Alaska Permanent Fund. This means that retirees will not only be saving on taxes by moving there, but also earning cash to boot.
Florida

The Sunshine State has a reputation for attracting retirees — and not just for the great year-round weather. Florida is also known for being a tax haven, as the state doesn’t levy any personal income taxes, which includes any Social Security benefits, pension payments, or withdrawals from a retirement account. Even if you earned money for your retirement account while living in a different state, you’re no longer subject to that state’s laws once you move to Florida, where you’re free to withdraw cash without any tax penalty. Florida also offers a homestead exemption, allowing retirees to save up to $50,000 on the taxable value of their home.
Georgia

In Georgia, anyone age 65 or older can exclude up to $65,000 in personal retirement income, while Social Security payments are tax-free. If you happen to pick up a small side job in retirement, the first $5,000 earned from any wages or salary is also tax-exempt. Additionally, Georgia offers a homestead exemption that lowers your property taxes by reducing your home’s taxable value.
Mississippi

In Mississippi, you won’t pay any taxes on Social Security, withdrawals from retirement accounts such as IRAs and 401(k)s, or any public and private pension payments. You’re also allowed to earn up to $10,000 in income from wages or salary tax-free. Furthermore, for anyone over the age of 65, the first $7,500 of your home’s value is exempt from property tax.
Nevada

You may need to be careful about spending too much time at the casinos, but if you avoid the temptation of gambling, you’ll have plenty of money to live a comfortable life in retirement in Nevada. As in other states on this list, a big reason for this is the lack of income tax in the Silver State, which means all retirement income (Social Security, pension payments, withdrawals from retirement accounts) is entirely tax-free. All residents can also benefit from statewide tax exemptions on prescription drugs, essential medical equipment (such as wheelchairs), groceries, and even newspapers.
South Dakota

Moving to South Dakota is a smart idea if you’re hoping to become a fiscally responsible retiree. The Mount Rushmore State has no income tax, which means tax-free pension payments and Social Security benefits as well as withdrawals from your retirement accounts. There’s also no statewide estate or inheritance tax in South Dakota.
Property tax rates in South Dakota sit below the national median, and the state offers a program where qualifying residents age 70 or older can delay paying property taxes until they eventually sell their home (though those taxes accrue at a 4% interest rate).
Wyoming

SmartAsset says that Wyoming “may be the most tax-friendly state south of Alaska.” Why? First, you won’t pay income tax on retirement income if you live in the Cowboy State. But what makes Wyoming even more appealing is the low effective property tax rate of just 0.57%, one of the lowest rates in the country. Last but not least, Wyomingites needn’t worry about paying any sort of estate or inheritance tax.
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