If you’re one of the many Americans who is still working past the standard retirement age of 65, you may benefit from knowing the best states for older workers.
Reaching the age of 65 no longer signals automatic retirement in America, as many people continue working. What this looks like can vary, such as continuing full-time in the same career, cutting back to part-time, or transitioning to a totally different type of work. Then there’s the group of unretired workers who rejoin the workforce, often for financial reasons, after a period of retirement.
If you’re nearing the age of 65 and or have already reached that milestone and plan to continue working, you’re not alone. Close to 12 million 65+ Americans – one in five – work either full- or part-time, according to the Pew Research Center, with an increasing number working full-time, more than in previous generations. The percentage of 65 and older Americans that work has risen from 11% in 1987 to 19% in 2023, while the number working full-time has increased from 47% to 62% in the same period. Those 75 and older are the fastest-growing segment among those still working after turning 65, with some people working well into their 80s.
Why do older Americans choose to work? They often cite a mix of financial necessity and personal fulfillment as reasons for remaining employed, according to Pew. Some enjoy the structure and social aspects of having a job, while others choose to delay retirement because they’re concerned about not having enough savings or being able to afford health care.
If you want to continue working, some states may be more suitable for your needs.
Top 10 states for older workers
CareScout, a Genworth Financial company that helps older adults and their families navigate the aging journey by finding long-term care providers, recently ranked the best states for older workers in 2026. It analyzed the following six factors across all 50 states and the District of Columbia: labor force participation, income, age discrimination, remote work availability, income taxes, and new business growth. Here are the top 10 states and some reasons why they ranked so high.
- New Hampshire – High income potential, no personal income tax, high labor force participation, and low age discrimination complaints.
- Alaska – High labor participation, high income, strong work-from-home culture, strong business growth, and no personal income tax.
- Maryland – Strong labor force participation and high income. The state is also known for its high-quality healthcare.
- Utah – High labor force participation, strong economic opportunities, high income, and lower cost of living. The state also boasts high health rankings and low social isolation.
- Connecticut – Strong labor force participation and high average income, despite high income tax rates. In addition, the state is known for its high senior health indicators.
- Colorado – Strong work-from-home culture, tax-friendly environment, a robust economy favoring experienced workers, and excellent physical health metrics.
- Wyoming – High affordability with no personal income tax and low rates of chronic conditions among Medicare beneficiaries, indicating a healthy senior population.
- Massachusetts – Strong work opportunities, robust protections against age-based work discrimination, and high-quality healthcare.
- Vermont – High labor force participation and superior health outcomes, including strong preventative care and low rates of chronic conditions.
- Virginia – Strong labor market, high earning potential for senior households, remote work flexibility, and tax-friendly policies such as no tax on Social Security income.
Mississippi ranked at the bottom of the overall list in 51st place because it has the country’s lowest median income among older households ($44,031), very high age discrimination rates, and a low number of seniors who work remotely.
The nine states ranking in the bottom 10 with Mississippi are: Arkansas, 50th; West Virginia, 49th; Alabama, 48th; Louisiana, 47th; Michigan, 46th; South Carolina, 45th; Indiana, 44th; Missouri, 43rd; and Wisconsin, 42nd.
Is moving for work worth it?
Moving to another state for employment in your senior years can be worthwhile but requires careful consideration. While being able to continue to work can increase your savings, provide financial security, provide personal fulfillment, and improve your quality of life, there can be downsides as well. These include having to physically move your belongings, find a new home, adjust to a new environment, and form a new social network.
Before moving, carefully consider the cost of living, the state’s health care rankings, distance from family and friends, and whether you’ll have social support in the new location.
Ultimately, the decision depends on whether the job opportunity aligns with your overall goals and whether you’re up for tackling this major life change.
Related: 12 Great Gigs for Retirees
