What is the best state to live in for the elderly?

Asked by: Dr. Reginald Rodriguez  |  Last update: October 16, 2023
Score: 4.5/5 (11 votes)

Maine topped The Motley Fool's list of best U.S. states to retire, with high marks for quality of life, safety, and health care cost and quality. The state has the highest percentage of residents over age 65, so retirees can find like-minded neighbors who enjoy the outdoors, natural beauty, and reliable health care.

What state is most senior friendly?

1 state to retire in, Virginia has taken the top spot this year, according to personal finance website WalletHub's “2023′s Best States to Retire” study. WalletHub evaluated all 50 U.S. states in three key categories: affordability, quality of life and access to health care.

What state has the lowest cost of living for seniors?

Five of the 10 most affordable states — Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado, Delaware and Tennessee — rank among the nation's most tax-friendly, according to a Kiplinger analysis. The least affordable states for retirees are clustered on the coasts: Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and California.

What is the best state to collect Social Security?

Iowa. Iowa tops the list for best states to live on just a Social Security check thanks to a number of factors. Overall, the cost of living is about 16% below the national average, while one-bedroom rents are about 30% less than national norms.

What are the best states to retire in no taxes?

Fortunately, there are some states that don't charge taxes on retirement income of any kind: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming.

Best States for Retirement in the US 2022 - Top 5

19 related questions found

What states do not pay Social Security taxes?

These states are:
  • Alabama.
  • Arizona.
  • Arkansas.
  • California.
  • Colorado: Previously, Colorado worked around straight up taxing Social Security by allowing $24,000 of Social Security income to be deducted from state taxes. As of 2023, Colorado no longer taxes Social Security benefits.
  • Delaware.
  • Florida.
  • Georgia.

Where is the best place for poor seniors to live?

Arizona offers a cost of living for seniors that is nearly 4 percent lower than the U.S. average. It is little wonder that Arizona is home to some of the biggest senior cities in the nation including Peoria, Tempe, and Mesa.

How do I get the $16728 Social Security bonus?

To acquire the full amount, you need to maximize your working life and begin collecting your check until age 70. Another way to maximize your check is by asking for a raise every two or three years. Moving companies throughout your career is another way to prove your worth, and generate more money.

What is the easiest state to get Social Security in?

Best states for Social Security Disability approval
  • Kansas. Kansas offers the highest chance of being approved for social security disability. ...
  • New Hampshire. New Hampshire offers the second-highest chance of being approved for social security disability. ...
  • Wyoming. ...
  • Alaska. ...
  • Nebraska.

Where is the cheapest place for seniors to retire?

While Alabama ranked first in affordability, it ranked 44th in quality of life and 50th in health care. But if money is your main concern, $1 million in retirement savings would be enough to sustain you for 22 years in Alabama, according to GoBankingRates data.

What state has the best pay and lowest cost of living?

1. Mississippi. Coming in as the cheapest state to live in in the United States is Mississippi with a cost of living index score of 83.3. It also has the lowest average housing costs in the nation at 33.7% below the national average.

What state has the cheapest standard of living?

Mississippi. Mississippi has the lowest cost of living in the United States. With a cost of living index of 83.3, expenses are nearly 17% less than the national average. Mississippi's housing costs are the lowest in the nation.

Where are elderly the happiest?

But much can depend on where one lives. The states with the highest levels of well-being among older people are Hawaii, Arizona, New Hampshire, North Dakota and Colorado; the lowest levels are in West Virginia, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Ohio, and Indiana.

Where are most seniors moving to?

Florida sees a massive influx of seniors.

Florida netted more than 78,000 senior residents from other states in 2021 – three times as many as the second-ranked state. Miami, Jacksonville, St. Petersburg and Tampa all placed among the top 20 cities gaining the most seniors.

Where do most elderly Americans live?

More than 55 million Americans are age 65 or older, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 population estimates. One-fourth of these older Americans live in one of three states: California, Florida, and Texas.

What is the 10 year rule for Social Security?

If you've worked and paid taxes into the Social Security system for at least 10 years and have earned a minimum of 40 work credits, you can collect your own benefits as early as age 62. We base Social Security benefits on your lifetime earnings.

At what age is Social Security no longer taxed?

Social Security can potentially be subject to tax regardless of your age. While you may have heard at some point that Social Security is no longer taxable after 70 or some other age, this isn't the case. In reality, Social Security is taxed at any age if your income exceeds a certain level.

How do I get the $16000 Social Security bonus?

How to Get a Social Security Bonus
  1. Option 1: Increase Your Earnings.
  2. Option 2: Wait Until Age 70 to Claim Social Security Benefits.
  3. Option 3: Be Strategic With Spousal Benefits.
  4. Option 4: Make the Most of COLA Increases.

Where can I retire on $2 500 a month?

Edinburg, Texas

1 spot as the best city to retire on a monthly budget of $2,500 or less by offering the most budget-friendly expenditures compared to the rest of the U.S. and the top livability score among these 13 cities.

Why are retirees leaving Florida?

Inflation and stock market dips have also negatively impacted their financial situation. In response, seniors are seeking more affordable places to call home. For example, many are moving to Limestone County, Alabama, the fastest-growing county in the state.

Where do most elderly get their income?

Today's older adults typically have a number of sources of income. For most, the primary source of income is Social Security. Other sources are income from investments and other assets, pensions and other retirement plans, earnings from work and, for a small percentage, public assistance programs and veterans benefits.

What state pays the most in Social Security?

The end result is that retired workers in the following 10 states are collecting the highest average monthly Social Security payouts in the country.
  • New Jersey: $1,768.61/month.
  • Connecticut: $1,757.00.
  • Delaware: $1,704.26.
  • New Hampshire: $1,700.75.
  • Maryland: $1,689.86.
  • Michigan: $1,682.68.
  • Washington: $1,672.05.

At what age is 401k withdrawal tax free?

You can start withdrawing money from your 401(k) without paying the penalty at 59 ½. This is the age that the IRS has designated as the “age of retirement.” However, you will be penalized if you withdraw money from your 401(k) before this age.

What state has the lowest taxes?

In 2020, the average American contributed 8.9% percent of their income in state taxes. Alaska had the lowest average overall tax burden – measured as total individual taxes paid divided by total personal income – at 5.4%, followed by Tennessee (6.3%), New Hampshire (6.4%), Wyoming (6.6%) and Florida (6.7%).