States That Don't Tax Social Security

Find out how your state taxes Social Security, pensions and retirement account withdrawals in 2026.

Reviewed by the SGB Team · Last updated October 2026

42 states and DC do not tax Social Security. Eight states do: Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Utah and Vermont, and all eight have exemptions for moderate incomes. A state that does not tax Social Security may still tax your pension or your 401(k) and IRA withdrawals.

States often treat Social Security, pensions and 401(k) or IRA withdrawals differently from one another. Select your state below to see how each type of retirement income is generally handled.

Broader Than Social Security Alone

Check Your State's Retirement Income Tax Treatment

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Three categories of states

NO TAXNo state income tax at all: 9 states. No retirement income of any kind is taxed.
TAXES SSTaxes Social Security: 8 states. All 8 have an exemption for moderate incomes.
EXEMPTS SSExempts SS, may still tax pensions: 33 states and DC. Social Security is exempt. Treatment of pensions and 401(k) or IRA withdrawals varies, so check your state.

Income tax is one part of a state's tax burden. States with no income tax sometimes have higher property or sales taxes, so compare all of them.

Select a state above to see your results.

States fall into three groups:

Group	States	What it means for retirement income
No state income tax	Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wyoming	No state tax on Social Security, pensions or retirement account withdrawals
Tax Social Security	Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont	Taxed above an income level. Each state has an exemption or credit.
Everything else	33 states and DC	Social Security is exempt. Pensions and 401(k) or IRA withdrawals may be taxed, often with a partial exemption.

"My state doesn't tax Social Security" and "my state doesn't tax my retirement income" are different statements. In the third group, a pension or IRA withdrawal is usually taxed as ordinary income unless the state has a retirement income exemption, and those exemptions differ widely in size and in who qualifies.

Income tax is only part of the cost of living in a state. States without an income tax often rely more on property or sales taxes. If you are comparing states for a move, compare those too, along with housing and insurance costs. Our tools for senior property tax exemptions and homestead exemptions cover the property tax side.

Federal tax on Social Security is separate and applies in every state. See the Is Social Security Taxable? calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which states don't tax Social Security at all?

42 states and DC do not tax Social Security benefits. As of 2026, 8 states do: Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Utah and Vermont.

Which states have no income tax at all?

Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming have no state income tax. New Hampshire does not tax wages or retirement income, and its tax on interest and dividends ended in 2025.

If my state doesn't tax Social Security, does that mean my pension is tax-free too?

Not necessarily. Some states exempt Social Security and still tax pensions or 401(k) and IRA withdrawals as ordinary income, sometimes with a partial exemption for older residents.

Is a state with no income tax always the best choice for retirees?

No. States without an income tax often have higher property or sales taxes, so look at all the taxes you would pay.

Do all 8 states that tax Social Security tax the full amount?

No. All 8 have an exemption or credit, based on income or age, that reduces or removes the tax for moderate-income retirees.

Where can I find my state's exact retirement income tax rules?

Your state's revenue or taxation department publishes the current exemption amounts and thresholds, which can change each year.

Browse the Full Guide by State

Select your state below to jump straight to its result in the calculator above.

No State Income Tax

Taxes Social Security

Exempts Social Security

State rules on retirement income tax change often and depend on income level and type of income. This tool gives general information and is not tax advice. For current figures, consult your state's revenue department or a tax professional.