2012 Northeast and Midwest Come up Losers: Worst States for Retirement

Notes: This is a reprint of an article from 2012, which appears to have disappeared from our site. Over the years we have produced many of these “Worst States for Retirement Lists”. Connecticut has been the “winner”, so has Illinois. Hope your state is not next! In Feb. 2018 we updated this article – see”Worst States for Retirement – 2018“.

January 10, 2012 — There are plenty of best places to retire lists.  But how about the places where it’s not such a good idea to retire? Last year our “Worst 10 States for Retirement” article caused quite a sensation, so we are back at it again for 2012. The purpose is to try to help baby boomers understand where, all other things being equal, they can enjoy their hard-earned retirement without taking on more problems.  To make sure you don’t miss updates to this and other lists like it, sign up for our Free weekly “Best Places to Retire” newsletter.

Your retirement is unique

Every individual has to consider his or her own criteria for identifying the worst or best states to retire. One of the most important factors for anyone is proximity to family and friends. So, if you want to be near your grandchildren the worst state on our list could be the best state on your list. Likewise, you might not share the same considerations we used to develop this list. Tax issues might be most important for you, or you might not care about spending winters in a warm state.  Our 2012 list is based on 5 considerations that we think will be <!–more–>important to most people, but freely admit that these factors could be totally irrelevant to many other folks.