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.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free 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.
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.
-
Dave Ramsey Tells Us the Biggest Retirement Mistake You Can Make
The talk-show host, author and podcaster tells Kiplinger what people can do to ensure a happy retirement.
-
Pros and Cons of Alternative Assets in Workplace Retirement Plans
While alternatives offer diversification and higher potential returns, including them in your workplace retirement plan would require careful consideration.
-
RMDs, Roth, and SS: Test Your Knowledge of Retirement Tax Rules
Quiz Don't let the IRS catch you off guard. Take our quiz to reveal common retirement tax rules that could save (or cost) you thousands.
-
IRS Reveals New 2026 Child Tax Credit and other Family Credit Amounts
Tax Credits Key family tax breaks are higher for 2026, including the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Adoption Credit. Here's what they're worth.
-
Claiming the Standard Deduction? Here Are Five Tax Breaks for Retirement in 2025
Tax Tips If you’re retired and filing taxes, these five tax credits and deductions could provide thousands in relief (if you qualify).
-
IRS Names Its First CEO: But He’s Also Still Running Social Security
Tax News Will this new role make it difficult to address emerging issues like budget and staffing cuts and customer service concerns?
-
Three Popular Tax Breaks Are Gone for Good in 2026
Tax Breaks Here's a list of federal tax deductions and credits that you can't claim in the 2026 tax year. High-income earners could also get hit by a 'surprise' tax bill.
-
IRS Phasing Out Paper Checks: What Happens After September 30?
Tax Changes Avoid delays when IRS tax refunds and Social Security paper checks are cut off. Here’s what to know.
-
Ask the Editor, September 12: Tax Questions on 529 Plan Rollovers to a Roth IRA
Ask the Editor In this week's Ask the Editor Q&A, we answer four questions from readers on transferring 529 plan money to a Roth IRA.
-
IRS in Turmoil: GOP Budget Cuts and Staff Shake-Ups Threaten Taxpayer Services
IRS Republican lawmakers advance a controversial budget bill that would gut IRS funding further, risking your 2026 tax filing season.