The title of this text clued you in to some unhealthy information: Some People might must fork over a portion of their Social Safety advantages on account of taxation. There’s a number of excellent news regardless of that, although. For one factor, clearly, most states today do not tax Social Safety advantages.
Here is a better take a look at which states make up the 9 that do, together with another vital info to find out about Social Safety and taxes.

Picture supply: Getty Photographs.
The 9 states that tax residents’ Social Safety advantages
First, listed below are the 9 states:
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Minnesota
- Montana
- New Mexico
- Rhode Island
- Utah
- Vermont
- West Virginia
Earlier than you begin wanting into relocating in retirement, learn on. In the event you stay in one among these states — and every of them has quite a bit to advocate it — your Social Safety advantages truly might not be taxed a lot or in any respect. That is as a result of every state has a distinct coverage, and a few have age- or income-based exemptions.
For instance, Coloradans aged 65 and older are exempt from taxes on their Social Safety advantages. And a brand new regulation is exempting these aged 55 to 64 if their adjusted gross incomes are under sure ranges, starting with the 2025 tax 12 months.
Here is extra excellent news: The checklist of states that tax Social Safety advantages has been shrinking lately — and it might proceed doing so. West Virginia, for instance, is phasing that tax out, and will probably be gone for the 2026 tax 12 months.
One entity is not eliminating taxes on Social Safety
Sadly, although, it doesn’t matter what state you reside in, Uncle Sam has his hand out, able to tax your Social Safety advantages. Particularly, the federal authorities might tax as much as 85% of your advantages. Here is the inside track:
Submitting As |
Mixed Earnings* |
Share of Advantages Taxable |
---|---|---|
Single particular person |
Between $25,000 and $34,000 |
As much as 50% |
Married, submitting collectively |
Between $32,000 and $44,000 |
As much as 50% |
Single particular person |
Extra Than $34,000 |
As much as 85% |
Married, submitting collectively |
Extra Than $44,000 |
As much as 85% |
Knowledge supply: Social Safety Administration.
*Your mixed earnings is your adjusted gross earnings (AGI) plus nontaxable curiosity plus half of your Social Safety advantages.
It is vital to grasp that the desk above doesn’t present a tax price of fifty% or 85% — you will not see 85% of your advantages carted away in taxes. As an alternative, these are the parts of your advantages which may find yourself taxed, relying in your earnings.
There are efforts underway to cease the federal taxation of Social Safety, however whether or not and when that occurs stays to be seen. (In the event you like that concept, contemplate letting your representatives in Washington know.)
It is good to study Social Safety properly earlier than you retire and wish it. It is also crucial to develop a thorough retirement plan. Take a while to estimate how a lot earnings you will want in retirement and the way you will get it. Social Safety is not seemingly to offer sufficient earnings, so discover and develop different retirement earnings sources.