10 Worst States for Retirement

Many Americans look forward to living blissfully in retirement.  However, obstacles such as stagnant wages, rising living expenses, and inadequate savings force many people to make difficult decisions about their “golden years.” 

Location plays a large role in retirement planning since some states are better suited to offer desirable benefits to retirees.  MoneyRates examined the best and worst states for retirement, according to five major categories including: senior population, economics, crime, weather, and senior life expectancy.  Below are the ten worst states in America for retirees:

1. Alaska. Because of its weather and bottom ranking economic factors, Alaska is the worst state in America for retirement. 
2. Louisiana. This state has one of the smallest senior populations in the country due to a high crime rate and low life expectancy.
3. Tennessee. Tennessee ranks low due to high crime and low life expectancy.
4. Illinois. A weak labor market and high property taxes make Illinois a poor place for retirement. 
5. Nevada. Violent crime per capita and a struggling economy make Nevada the fifth worst state in retirement for America.
6. (tie) Georgia. Although Georgia ranks well for its climate, it is below average in every other category.
7. (tie) Maryland. This state ranks poorly in economic factors due to a high cost of living that can deplete modest incomes and retirement accounts.
8. (tie) New York. With a poor climate and economic factors such as high cost of living and high property taxes, New York is not an ideal place for retirement.
9. Michigan. Although Michigan has an increasing growth rate of its senior population, the state ranks below average in every other category, especially with economic factors.
10. Alabama. Alabama ranks poorly in life expectancy and crime. 

See Eric McWhinnie, 10 Worst States for Retirement Living, USA Today, Nov. 15, 2014.