3 States Where You Will Want to Retire Forever
Low living costs, fair taxes and good health care make these places retiree-friendly.
Think hard about which state you plan to live in during retirement. Some are more welcoming than others. We ranked all 50 states on retiree-friendliness. Here are the top three.
First on the list is South Dakota. Winters can be cold, but health-care costs are below average and tax policies favor retirees. Good cities to target are Sioux Falls and Rapid City.
The second-place finisher is a good choice for active retirees. Utah boasts dozens of national and state parks, plus plenty of options for boating and skiing. Check out St. George, an affordable city near the Arizona border.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Coming in third is Georgia. Mild weather and cheap living costs make the state especially appealing to retirees. Consider settling in Sandy Springs, a charming small city that’s close – but not too close – to Atlanta.
Check out seven more of the best states for retirement. Plus, take a look at the 15 states to avoid in retirement.
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
Browne Taylor joined Kiplinger in 2011 and was a channel editor for Kiplinger.com covering living and family finance topics. She previously worked at the Washington Post as a Web producer in the Style section and prior to that covered the Jobs, Cars and Real Estate sections. She earned a BA in journalism from Howard University in Washington, D.C. She is Director of Member Services, at the National Association of Home Builders.
-
You Don’t Want to Retire in Portugal: Here Are Three Tax Reasons Why
Retirement Taxes With the NHR benefit retiring and pension taxes increasing, you might rethink your retirement plans in Portugal.
By Kate Schubel Published
-
Home Depot's Winning Ways Fueled Its 100,000% Return
Home Depot's wide moat leaves little room for competition – and shareholders have profited as a result.
By Louis Navellier Published
-
Five Scary Things the IRS Can Do If You Owe Back Taxes
Tax Law Traveling in 2025? The IRS can take your passport (and house) if you don’t pay your tax bill.
By Kate Schubel Published
-
Early Tax Refund Options Could Trap Your Cash
Tax Refunds Don’t be fooled into thinking you’re not getting a loan — because you really are.
By Kate Schubel Published
-
First-Time Filing Taxes? Key Tax Tips to Know for 2025
Tax Filing Preparing your IRS taxes for the first time may seem daunting, but here are some return preparation and filing tips to start.
By Kate Schubel Last updated
-
Legislation Cracking Down on IRS Tax Refund Mail Theft Advances
IRS A string of bipartisan measures targeting taxpayer refunds, rights, and protections move forward on Capitol Hill.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Published
-
Ten IRS Audit Red Flags for Retirees in 2025
Retirement Taxes Retirees who think they can escape the IRS audit machine should think again.
By Joy Taylor Published
-
Could ERC Delays Get Worse if Trump Downsizes the IRS?
IRS The Trump administration’s push to shave down the IRS can impact taxpayers like you.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
-
IRS Income Tax Refund Schedule 2025: When Will Your Refund Arrive?
Tax Refunds Your 2025 IRS tax refund may arrive sooner than you think. Here’s a schedule for when you can expect your check or direct deposit.
By Kate Schubel Last updated
-
IRS Tax Refunds Are $1,000 Smaller This Year: Here's Why
Tax Refunds Inflation-related changes to the tax code could result in a larger refund for some, but you’ll have to wait.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated