For most Americans, the check they receive from the Social Security Administration is the bedrock of their retirement budget. It’s money you earned over decades of hard work, and naturally, you want to keep as much of it as possible. The good news is that the vast majority of states—41 of them, to be exact—keep their hands off your Social Security benefits entirely.

However, if you live in one of the nine states that still tax these benefits, you might be sending a portion of your monthly check back to the state capital. The landscape, thankfully, is shifting in favor of retirees. State legislatures are increasingly voting to repeal or reduce these taxes to attract and retain seniors. In fact, one state on this list is eliminating the tax completely starting in tax year 2026.

Here is a practical guide to the nine states that still tax Social Security, the specific income thresholds that might protect you, and the one state where this tax is about to become history.

Quick Summary: The 2026 Landscape

• The Trend: The number of states taxing Social Security is shrinking. Missouri and Nebraska recently ended their taxes, and West Virginia is next.
• The “One” Dropping the Tax: West Virginia becomes fully tax-free for Social Security starting tax year 2026.
• The Reality: Even in states that tax benefits, most retirees pay zero state tax on Social Security because of generous income exemptions.
• The Outlier: Utah uses a unique tax credit system rather than a standard exemption.