Kiplinger named Washington, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Florida and South Dakota the five best tax-friendly states for retiree healthcare, ranking them by older-adult care quality among 13 states that do not tax retirement income.
The screen paired tax breaks with median property taxes, cost-of-living data and United Health Foundation senior clinical-care scores, as a typical 65-year-old retiring in 2026 is expected to spend $185,500 on healthcare.
Washington took the top spot with a +0.528 senior healthcare score, though its $4,556 median property tax bill and 114.6 cost-of-living index made it the priciest option on the list.
Pennsylvania and Iowa followed with above-average care and lower living costs, while Florida and South Dakota stayed attractive on taxes but ranked below the national healthcare benchmark at -0.103 and -0.263.
The ranking underscores that zero state tax on Social Security, pensions and 401(k) withdrawals may not offset weaker medical access, higher housing costs or long travel for specialty care.