With Some States in Trouble, Be Careful About Worst States to Retire
Category: Financial and taxes in retirement
Editor’s note: This report was originally written in 2009. There have been several new articles since then, notably “Worst States for Retirement, 2014“, which are more up-to-date.
Deciding which state you ought to retire to is hard enough. First you have to find the right climate, tax structure, environment, culture, crime, etc. But with the economic recession of the last few years another factor enters in – is your state in financial trouble so deep it might not be able to dig itself out (think worst states to retire)? The Pew Center on the States issued a report last week that should be enough to give you pause before you move to a new state, and might even convince you to move out of others. Note: We updated this story in late 2010. Don’t miss our latest “10 Worst Retirements States” piece.
The Pew Center named 9 troubled states in addition to California in its report, “Beyond California: States in Fiscal Peril”.
The top 10 Troubled States in the report are:
– California
– Arizona
– Florida
– Illinois
– Michigan
– Nevada
– New Jersey
– Oregon
– Rhode Island
– Wisconsin
These states’ budget troubles can have significant repercussions for retirees as well as general residents. Everyone in an affected state will be displeased to see higher taxes or fees; layoffs or furloughs of state workers; longer waits for public services; more crowded classrooms; higher college tuition, and less support for the poor or unemployed. But retirees could also see reductions of favorable treatment for retirees (such as property tax or income tax relief) as well as declining property values. Intergenerational strife is another possibility, as young families and seniors square off over education budgets.
California appears to be teetering on insolvency at times. “But while California often takes the spotlight, other states are facing hardships just as daunting,” said Susan Urahn, managing director of the Pew Center on the States. “Decisions these states make as they try to navigate the recession will play a role in how quickly the entire nation recovers.”
In the report, Pew’s researchers identified factors that have contributed significantly to California’s difficulties, then determined the degree to which other states are experiencing the same challenges. These factors are: (1) loss of state revenues; (2) the relative size of budget gaps; (3) increasing joblessness; (4) high foreclosure rates; (5) legal obstacles to balanced budgets—specifically, a supermajority requirement for tax increases or budget bills and (6) poor money-management practices.
While the rest of the states share important characteristics with California, they may not be destined to follow in the Golden State’s footsteps. Some of these states already have responded aggressively to their budget crisis, although it is too soon to tell whether their actions will put them on solid fiscal footing.
“The 10 states are hardly the only ones at risk in this time of record-setting revenue drops, high unemployment and far-flung fallout from the housing bust and credit crisis. Virtually all states have been stressed by the downturn,” Urahn said. “We expect that when state lawmakers next spring turn to crafting their new budgets for 2011, many will confront an even tougher set of challenges. States already have made significant cuts, revenues continue to drop, and stimulus funds will be running out. ”
The Pew Center identified 4 trends running through the economic troubles of these 10 states:
– Unbalanced economies
– Revenues and expenditures out of alignment
– Limited ability to act.
– Putting off tough decisions
States’ fiscal situations are widely expected to get worse even if the national economy starts to recover. At the end of 2010, federal stimulus money that helped states meet some of their expenses will begin to run out.
Bottom line: The Pew Center emphasizes that some of the 10 states are making moves to solve their problems. There are plenty of other states that are also in trouble, and they might not be working on their problems. The point is that you should think twice about the state you might be considering moving to. Keep tabs on their fiscal health to make sure they are headed in a positive direction. If they are not, maybe you should reconsider moving there. Likewise if you live in a state with problems and were already thinking about moving out – maybe this is a good time.
For more information:
2014 List of Worst States for Retirement
Read the Pew report: Insights From Fiscal 50’s Key Measures of State Fiscal Health
Comments on "With Some States in Trouble, Be Careful About Worst States to Retire"
Antiquedealer says:
Up to now I enjoyed your retirement newsletter - but your article the "worst
retirement states" only hurts our economy more, These states need help and
you said "do not move to these states or get out while you can" Wow it is
like kicking a dog when there down. Very disappointed in your website.
Charlie says:
There are a lot of retirees (and potential retirees) who probably consider taxes, among many other issues, when they are contemplating a move. These days, it would be very risky to base their tax-related decisions on ambient taxes in a certain state. With so many states scrambling to make ends meet, one must consider the high probability that tax burdens will change (increase) in many states in the coming years. The Pew report should be viewed as another tool when considering a move. As a retiree contemplating a move, I am quite concerned about the sustainability of state programs...so I appreciate the Pew study and will continue to seek all other available resources.
david huckabee says:
mexifornia is doomed. it seems the majority of voters believe in the "tooth fairy". mr. "moon beam", Jerry Brown, will be our governor for a second time. this is going to be a disaster, again. many of the money problems we face today, are directly tied to his leadership, during his last term as governor of mexifornia. i believe leaving mexifornia is the only solution we have.
Annette says:
YES, I GREW UP IN CALIFORNIA... SWARZNEGGER PUT IT IN THE TOILET. I LEFT 2 MONTHS AGO AND LOOKING FOR A STATE WHICH WAS SIMILAR TO WHAT CA. USE TO BE:
NO GRAFETTI, NO SMOG, NO CRIME AND NO ILLEGALS.... WOW. I AM ASKING FOR ALOT BUT WILL FIND IT.... CALIFORNIA USE TO BE OH SO GREAT. I CAN NOT BELIEVE IT DIED
John says:
I don't get it... you have the same states on your best list and your worst list... Are California Oregon and Arizona best or worst? Make up your muddled mind.
John Brady says:
John, you raise a great point and are not alone in pointing out our inconsistencies. In my opinion, these 3 states belong on both lists. It all depends on your priorities. If you are the type who is worried about the solvency of your state, I would stay away - all 3 have significant problems. On the other hand, these states have some fabulous places to live with some pretty darned good weather. If you have enough money or simply don't care about the financial health of your state, you can have a very happy retirement there. To each his own!
Michael says:
This note is to Annette...I agree with you. I am looking to leave California as well. I have been here all my life and I am frustrated and burned out with Calif.'s politics and high taxes. Although, I am in the very north part of Calif. it doesn't seem to be as disfunctional as southern Calif. Did you relocate? What state did you find that mirrors what Calif. use to be like?
Blue says:
Not sure why you lumped Florida behind California. Florida balances its budget every year.
Louise says:
This is a list of all 50 states and how they rank financially, etc.
http://247wallst.com/special-report/2015/12/03/the-best-and-worst-run-states-in-america-a-survey-of-all-50-4/
MaryJane says:
why is oregon so low in list when you can live on the coast with apts starting at 550$ per month??
kathy d says:
why is florida on this list. retirees still moving here by the droves. No income tax, not pension or social security tax. Rick Scott has balanced the budget every year. The Florida Retirement fund is in better shape then most other state pensions. On one fist you have 2 or 3 Florida cites for best retirement and now you are saying it is a fiscal mess. It is not a fiscal mess.
Lynn J says:
This list is from 2009. There is a 2014 list but you have to follow the links. Here is the 2014 Worst States for Retirement link http://www.topretirements.com/blog/great-towns/10-worst-states-for-retirement-for-2014.html/
Ron Friedman says:
Those responding here from 2015 to the present are referencing a 7 year old report published during one of the worst downturns in US history. The question should be - what are the results today.
John Brady says:
Note from Editor: Yes, this report is from 2009, a dark time economically. Those interested in this topic should see our more recent articles: http://www.topretirements.com/blog/great-towns/10-worst-states-for-retirement-for-2014.html/ , as well as this link to a 2015 report from Pew: http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/multimedia/data-visualizations/2014/fiscal-50#ind0
The latter report shows that tax revenues have recovered in most, but not all states since the 2008-9 recession.
Rebecca B says:
Many of the links note that the community's builder has gone out of business or that the link simply is non existent.
ella says:
Hi Annette,
I am sure you will find a place that suits you more than your current California, but it will not have the same weather. One basic reason why Cal. is so very popular. Wishing you well.
Loral says:
Annette, I moved out of Southern California a few years ago for many of the reasons you did. I do miss the weather, for sure. I chose to relocate to Arizona, and though it does get hot a few months in the summer, overall I love it. I don't know if you can find a place with the weather of Calif, if you do let me know!!!!
Florence says:
With our daughter living in Northern California and our son in the Pacific NW, we're actually thinking of moving to northern CA from the east coast. We love the outdoors and NorCal summer weather. Don't like clouds or rain of the PNW coast or the browns in the eastern areas. We love the pine trees, mountains and meadows. Are we crazy?? Does anyone actually retire to CA? Please help!!
Brian says:
Florence, you may want to check out the Medford, Oregon, area. It's only 25 miles from the California border. Beautiful area.
Mary11 says:
Florence, we live in San Diego but plan on retiring to the desert towns or northern California. The somewhat desert towns of Murrieta and Menifee are lower priced and crime rate is low. Northern Ca has a much higher crime rate, especially Eureka and Redding. Also, N CA have few apt complexes, just older homes for rent. We still have thoughts of the OR coast but it has gotten more expensive as of late.....
Carolyn says:
I sold my home in Santa Barbara in 2015 and moved to Maine. I left SB because of the increased population, horrendous traffic, political issues, homeless population, gang activity, and the wealth which seemed to skew have and have-not populations. I lived in one of the “Tony” neighborhoods and got a lot of money for my house. I am now experiencing “grass is greener” syndrome, and wishing I had never made the change. I think I need a visit to remind me why Santa Barbara , in fact” the perfect place it’s touted to be.
loralee says:
I moved out of S. California a few years ago to Arizona and like what Loral said the summer is hot, but for about 8 or 9 months it's really nice. I still visit California a lot to see my daughter, and friends. I feel I have the best of both. I was tired of the horrible traffic and very high taxes. The cost of living in Az is definitely better for me.