2026 retiree tax study
Which States Still Tax Social Security in 2026?
Thirty-seven states do not tax Social Security benefits at the state level in 2026. Nine states have no broad income tax at all. Only four states — Minnesota, Montana, Utah, and Vermont — generally tax Social Security. This page ranks all 51 jurisdictions using our state treatment table.
Retirement Income Tax Calculator
Model Social Security, pension, and other retirement income by state.
Tier 1 — No state income tax (9 states)
These states have no broad individual income tax on wages. Social Security and most retirement income face no state income tax (though other taxes like sales or property tax still apply).
- Alaska
- Florida — Florida has no state income tax
- Nevada — Nevada has no state income tax
- New Hampshire — New Hampshire does not tax wages or SS
- South Dakota — South Dakota has no state income tax
- Tennessee — Tennessee has no state income tax
- Texas — Texas has no state income tax
- Washington — Washington has no state income tax
- Wyoming — Wyoming has no state income tax
Tier 2 — State income tax, but Social Security exempt (38 states + DC)
These jurisdictions have a state income tax but fully exempt Social Security benefits. Pension treatment varies — Pennsylvania and Illinois exempt most retirement income; others offer partial exclusions.
- Alabama — Alabama does not tax Social Security
- Arizona — SS exempt
- Arkansas — SS exempt
- California — California does not tax Social Security
- Colorado — SS exempt
- Connecticut — SS exempt
- Delaware — SS exempt
- District of Columbia — SS exempt
- Georgia — SS exempt
- Hawaii — SS exempt
- Idaho — SS exempt
- Illinois — SS exempt
- Indiana — SS exempt
- Iowa — SS exempt
- Kansas — SS exempt
- Kentucky — SS exempt
- Louisiana — SS exempt
- Maine — SS exempt
- Maryland — SS exempt
- Massachusetts — SS exempt
- Michigan — SS exempt
- Mississippi — SS exempt
- Missouri — SS exempt
- Nebraska — SS exempt
- New Jersey — SS exempt
- New Mexico — SS exempt
- New York — SS exempt
- North Carolina — SS exempt
- North Dakota — SS exempt
- Ohio — SS exempt
- Oklahoma — SS exempt
- Oregon — SS exempt
- Pennsylvania — SS exempt
- Rhode Island — SS exempt
- South Carolina — SS exempt
- Virginia — SS exempt
- West Virginia — SS exempt
- Wisconsin — SS exempt
Tier 3 — States that tax Social Security (4 states)
These states include Social Security in state taxable income, though credits or partial exemptions may reduce the bill for lower-income retirees.
- Minnesota — MN taxes SS but with partial exemption for lower incomes
- Montana — Montana taxes SS with federal rules
- Utah — Utah taxes SS with income-based credit
- Vermont — Vermont taxes SS above $45K income (single)
West Virginia — . SS is not fully taxed for all retirees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Four states generally tax Social Security at the state level: Minnesota, Montana, Utah, and Vermont. West Virginia offers partial exemptions. All other states with an income tax fully exempt Social Security, and nine states have no broad income tax on wages.
No. California fully exempts Social Security benefits from state income tax.
The most retiree-friendly states combine no state income tax with exemptions for pension income — such as Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. Use the ExactTakeHome retirement income calculator to model your specific income mix.
Cite this study
ExactTakeHome Team. "States That Don't Tax Social Security in 2026 — Complete List." ExactTakeHome.com, June 2026. Study permalink