This article is more than 10 years old. See today’s top stories here.

The 10 Worst States For Retirement In 2015

The 10 Absolute Worst States To Retire In
Yagana Shah
By 

Huff/Post 50 Editor, The Huffington Post

There are dozens of factors you must consider when choosing where to settle down and spend your golden years. Luckily, personal finance experts Kiplinger have done some research and come up with a ranking of the 10 worst states to retire in.

The company narrowed down the list of the states you should avoid at all costs, looking at such factors as affordability, crime rates, taxes and the presence of other retirees. (They didn't, however, consider weather... because some people prefer the four seasons to sunshine all year round).

Though the 10 worst states (including the District of Columbia) on Kiplinger's list are scattered throughout the nation, they are all similar when it comes to a high cost of living for retirees. If you're looking for a comparison, Bankrate.com published its annual ranking last month and found Arkansas to be the worst state, followed by New York, Alaska, Louisiana and West Virginia.

Check out the slideshow below and head over to Kiplinger to get more information on why each should be avoided in your golden years.

10
Texas
Mike Ehrmann via Getty Images
Lone Star state is in the bottom 10 thanks to a low population of people over 65 and a higher than average senior poverty rate.
9
Utah
David Crowther
Despite its breathtaking scenery and outdoor activities, Utah is on this list for having the second lowest percentage of older residents (with few singles) and an average home value that's over 23 percent higher than the national median.
8
Oregon
Getty Images
High income taxes and a low income for senior households put Oregon in the number eight spot.
7
Nebraska
shutterstock
Nebraska seniors have the lowest household income of any other state on this list, which is around 19 percent lower than the national average. Starting this year, Nebraska has introduced new guidelines which exempt some individuals from getting taxed on Social Security benefits. If you're not one of the lucky few, however, you still get taxed at the federal level.
6
North Carolina
digidreamgrafix
10 percent of seniors in the Tar Heel state live below the poverty line, where income in senior households falls more than 18 percent below the national average.
5
Minnesota
KAREN BLEIER via Getty Images
Thanks to high taxes on Social Security and other retirement income, the state isn't the best prospect for retirees.
4
New York
Getty Images/Tetra images RF
New York won't be good for your pocket. Unsurprisingly, the high cost of living in the Empire State (more than 52 percent over the national average) makes it one of the priciest places to live.
3
New Mexico
Getty Images
The warm climate might tempt you, but higher than average crime rates probably won't help you get the peace of mind you want in this southwestern state.
2
California
shutterstock
It's no surprise that living in the Golden State comes at a cost. California boasts one of the highest costs of living in the nation and the median home value is about twice the national median.
1
Washington, D.C.
Shutterstock / Lissandra Melo
The worst "state" to retire in isn't actually a state, it's the nation's capital. It's one of the most expensive metro areas to live in and has the highest home values on this list. Kiplinger sums it up best: "A better choice for new grads than for retirees."

Like Us On Facebook |
Follow Us On Twitter |

|
Submit a tip
Close

What's Hot