Retired in USA

Your golden years are your best years! Make them shine!

  • Home
  • Personal Finance
  • Retirement Life
  • Saving & Spending

Which States Tax Social Security Benefits in 2026?

January 7, 2025 · Personal Finance
social security changes
Image by Jason Raff from Shutterstock

Are your Social Security benefits about to get taxed?

When you are a retiree and you are planning your financial future, the tax treatment of Social Security benefits is an important factor to consider. The number of states that tax social security benefits gets lower each year, but there are still some states out there that do that, and we believe that it’s important to know about them.

The good part? Last year there were eleven such states, so we are moving towards a better future.

There are many states where low-income retirees find their benefits entirely exempt from state taxes, but the states we want to discuss today have some stricter guidelines and still tax the benefits. Why is it important to be aware of all of this? This is the perfect guide for those retirees who want to optimize their finances and minimize tax burdens.

This article discusses how each of these states will tax Social Security benefits in 2026. From income-based exemptions to flat taxation schemes, we’ll explain how to navigate these restrictions.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Share this article

Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

22 comments on “Which States Tax Social Security Benefits in 2026?”

  1. Antoinette says:
    March 27, 2026 at 11:13 pm

    It is just sad for your Social Security to be tax. Especially after you worked all these years. Just SAD, SAD.

    Reply
  2. Roger Coney says:
    August 12, 2025 at 3:34 pm

    I agree, Social Security should not be taxed; however, because it’s “social” security, each individual should only get back in benefits what they put in minus the “social” cost for those who are disabled and unable to continue working and contributing during their working years. Also the tax cap on earnings should be increased considerably. To say 1-2 Million in income. The tax for everyone could then be reduced, especially for those who don’t earn more than say, 30 to 50k. I.e., Make the tax progressive like other income based taxes.

    Reply
  3. Emily Coryell says:
    August 10, 2025 at 12:45 pm

    SS should not be taxed, I’m retiring in 1 year
    and 9 months. We all have paid taxes all of I working lives and it’s our turn to get something back.

    Reply
  4. Wayne Ragin says:
    April 3, 2025 at 12:33 pm

    No taxes on Social Security while paying into while working . That’s double taxing a retirees

    Reply
  5. JOHN J DUMAS says:
    March 22, 2025 at 4:30 am

    It is a waste of government resources to tax anyone under the median income. It only invites more government programs to return the money in the form of services at a premium.

    Reply
  6. nan says:
    February 27, 2025 at 11:54 pm

    As a disabled/retired teacher I knew SS would be low enough! But MY government wants to “double dip” me? Not ethical. Not affordable!! Total slap in the face……barely breathin’ here!!

    Reply
  7. MICHAEL RICHARD FRIDY says:
    February 13, 2025 at 2:59 pm

    Any state that taxes social security the people must vote all of the legislatures from the governor down all out of office. Social security was and has been abused for a long time by beaurocrats

    Reply
  8. Benjamin wada says:
    February 11, 2025 at 1:21 pm

    SS, Should not be taxed. Retirees earned this amount n wouldn’t that be double taxing. The U.S.Government should step in an make it a law that all States n U.S. Territories stop taxing SS.

    Reply
  9. Tammi Johnson says:
    February 10, 2025 at 6:44 pm

    so correct you are. we pay when we earn and we pay when we spend and then the IRS every year and we are by no means rich. In todays economy, my 63 year old husband works 60 & 70 hour weeks delivering concrete with 2 hip replacements. just to make ends meet s.s. is not an income you can survive on. they say he makes to much so we have to pay, needless to say they tax him severely before he even gets paid. we have no savings left, being on disability at 50, I was told I would not survive, 16 years later, still disabled, paying taxes while the rich get richer. I am now retirement age, what a mess, Thank the Good Lord I started working at 15 in the 70’s. 65 and still paying them due only to my s.s check !!!

    Reply
  10. Yvonne says:
    February 9, 2025 at 9:25 pm

    I feel its very wrong to be taxed an money that was alresdy been taxed while working, isnt that double taxation.?????

    Reply
Se încarcă comentarii...

Nu mai există comentarii de afișat.

Search

Latest Posts

  • Man kneeling in a suburban front yard planting autumn flowers in a garden bed beside a brick home. 12 Cities With Retirement Homes Under $250,000
  • Illustration of a torn umbrella shielding a hospital and clinic while rain falls on dental, vision, and hearing items. 9 Things Original Medicare Doesn't Cover
  • Illustration split between busy city commuters on the left and a retired couple hiking along a sunny coastline on the right. 10 Spending Categories Where Retirees Say They Saved the Most
  • Senior man in an apron repairing a bicycle wheel mounted on a stand inside a sunlit workshop. 9 Ways Retirees Use Part-Time Income to Delay Withdrawals
  • Screenprint illustration of a small town square with a clock tower and gazebo, flanked by a beach and green mountains. 10 Cities Where $2,500 a Month Still Covers Everything
  • Older couple holding a large golden key to a stone archway overlooking a scenic coastal landscape. 10 Questions Couples Should Answer Before Filing Joint Retiree Taxes
  • Illustration of October, November, and December calendar pages floating toward a pocket watch above a bank vault. 8 Retirement Account Deadlines Hiding in the Last Quarter
  • A smiling woman with glasses sits at a wooden table reading an Italy travel brochure near a steaming mug and open notebook. 9 Perks Retired Teachers Get That Most People Never Hear About
  • Senior couple sitting in wicker chairs on a sunny front porch, reading a newspaper and drinking coffee. 11 Small Towns Where Retirees Say the Pace of Life Just Fits
  • An older couple walks along a vineyard path at sunset, overlooking a small valley town and distant hills. 10 Wine Country Towns Where Retirees Are Settling In

Newsletter

Get retirement tips and senior living advice delivered to your inbox.

Related Articles

An editorial illustration showing a balance scale where a coin labeled COLA is outweighed by grocery bags and medicine bottles.

What Retirees Need to Know Before the Next COLA Announcement

Prepare for the upcoming Social Security COLA announcement by understanding how benefit changes impact your…

Read More →
states, social security

10 States Where You Can Get the Most Social Security

We already know that Social Security is our country’s most important program when it comes…

Read More →
money mistakes payment

5 Money Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Retirement

Let’s be honest! It’s really hard to plan for your retirement and there are a…

Read More →
reduce

State Tax Refund Delays in 2026: Why Some Americans Are Still Waiting for Their Money

Many taxpayers across the United States expect their tax refund to arrive within a few…

Read More →
scams data

Seniors, Read This: 9 Ways to Protect Personal Data Online

Ensuring you’re safe online could be overwhelming because most users have their photos, credit cards,…

Read More →
A photograph of a senior's hands holding a check, with a partially visible retirement planning document in the background.

Protecting Your Nest Egg: A Guide to Annuities for Retirees

Welcome to your retirement. After decades of hard work and careful saving, you’ve finally reached…

Read More →
Why Two Retirees With the Same Salary Can Get Very Different Checks

Why Two Retirees With the Same Salary Can Get Very Different Checks

Discover why two retirees earning identical salaries end up with vastly different Social Security checks,…

Read More →
Social Security number spousal

15 Tips to Protect Your Social Security Number From Scams

One of the main reasons why identity theft is so high in the United States…

Read More →
A content retired woman sits on her porch with a mug of coffee, enjoying a quiet morning in her garden.

What Happens to Your Social Security If You Never Married

Discover how Social Security works if you never married, including work credit rules, claiming strategies,…

Read More →
Retired in USA

Your golden years are your best years! Make them shine!

Inedit Agency S.R.L.
Bucharest, Romania

contact@ineditagency.com

Trust & Legal

  • Contact
  • Editorial Policy
  • Advertiser Disclosure
  • FAQ
  • Subscribe
  • Unsubscribe
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Disclaimer
  • Do not sell my personal information
  • Request to Know
  • Request to Delete
  • CA Privacy Policy

Categories

  • Enjoying Retirement
  • Personal Finance
  • Saving & Spending

© 2026 Retired in USA. All rights reserved.