There’s a hard reality that comes when you reach retirement age, but you can’t afford to retire. Having to work in your golden years can be harder than it sounds. Not every place is equal when it comes to supporting seniors who want — or need — to keep working. And if working is in your future plans, then you should know which states will provide the most hospitable environment for you.
Read below for the top 10 states for seniors who can’t afford to retire.
Known as the Evergreen State, Washington is a haven if you’re an outdoorsy person who loves having access to beaches, forests, and mountains. And if you still need to work, it’s also an ideal state for seniors who still need a job.
Seniors who want to work remotely might enjoy living in Washington, where about 22% of seniors work from home. The median salary for a senior household is almost $64,000, higher than in many other states. There’s also no personal income tax, so seniors can keep more of the money that they earn.
New Hampshire’s somewhat ominous motto — Live Free or Die — is true for many workers. There is no personal income tax or sales tax in New Hampshire, and the state ranks third in the lowest number of age-related discrimination complaints. Seniors who need to keep a job might enjoy living in the Granite State.
New Hampshire has one of the highest rates of people 60 and older working, at 35.9%. The median household income for workers 65 and older is about $63,000.
When most people think about the best places for seniors to live, they think about warm states, like Florida. But if you can stand the cold, then Alaska is not a bad place to live, especially if you’re a retiree who can’t afford to retire.
In Alaska, roughly 31.6% of those 60 or older are still in the workforce. With a median household income of about $67,000 for those 65 and older, Alaska can be an affordable place to live while you’re still working.
The state of Maryland is one of the best places for seniors looking for generous salaries. The median household income among those 65 and over is about $72,000, the second-highest for any state in the country.
That’s not all. Roughly 35.4% of those individuals 60 or older are still in the workforce, the sixth-highest rate in the country. This means that seniors are more likely to find work in the Free State — and they're likely to be paid well for it.
The mountainous state of Colorado might be the right choice if you’re a senior who still has to work, but wants to enjoy an active lifestyle.
Colorado has the second-highest percentage of remote workers who are 65 or older, at 23.8%. Being a remote worker can be helpful because you have flexibility for things like doctors’ appointments, which are more common as you age. Remote work also minimizes commuting time and costs.
One of the smallest states in the country, Connecticut provides a positive future for seniors who need to stay in the workforce. They’re tied for No. 9 when it comes to age-related discrimination complaints.
The median senior household income is about $66,000, coming in at No. 7 among all states. Also, about 35% of those 60 or older are still in the workforce, which also puts them in the top 10 in the country.
In the Bay State, about 35.7% of those over 60 are still working, which ranks it fourth in the country. Also, about 17.5% of those 65 and older work remotely, another huge benefit for seniors who need to take care of their — or a loved one’s — health.
Also, Massachusetts has a low rate of age-related workplace discrimination complaints, about 32 for every 100,000. This means that the state is more hospitable for seniors who are still gainfully employed. The median household for those 65 and older is about $63,000 a year.
The Mount Rushmore state might seem like a surprising pick, but it actually has some great opportunities for seniors who still need to work. The labor force participation rate for workers 60 and older is 35.5%, fifth in the whole country.
There is also no personal income tax, so seniors who work can hang onto more of their paycheck. There is an annual business growth rate of 1.7%, which comes in at No. 8 in the country. This means seniors may find more chances to get work.
The Beehive State is full of National Parks and potential employment opportunities for seniors. The median household income for those 65 and older is about $67,000 - not bad considering Utah is a relatively moderate cost-of-living state.
When it comes to workplace age discrimination complaints, Utah is in the top half in the country. It also has a 19% rate of senior remote workers, which is helpful for those who value work-life balance or have to manage health issues while they’re still employed. There is a 32.5% rate of labor force participation among those 60 and older.
Vermont is another New England state that’s great to live and work in if you’re a senior. The picturesque state of Vermont is known for its natural, untouched beauty, but it’s also a surprisingly great place to live and work if you’re a senior.
Vermont also has one of the lowest rates of age-related discrimination. Ageism in the workplace can make it harder for seniors to keep working, get promoted, or be treated fairly.
The Green Mountain State comes in third when it comes to remote workers who are 65 or older, at 22.9%.
