12 Worst States for Military Retirees: 2023

Related: 12 Best States for Military Retirees: 2023

Among the decisions military personnel have to make when they retire is where to settle down. Some states are much less able than others to provide veterans with a good retirement, according to a new report from personal finance website WalletHub. Finding a job and affordable housing in these states is harder for military retirees than in states with stronger economies. A particular concern for veterans is the tax-friendliness of the state in which they choose to live. These states also tend to have fewer Veterans Administration hospitals per number of veterans and are deficient in other health care areas — a concerning lack given that many military retirees struggle with physical disabilities and post-traumatic stress disorder. There is some good news, however; the Senate Committee on Veterans' Committee recently approved the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act bill, which could make it easier for veterans to get long-term care at home. To identify the best and worst states for military retirees, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across the key dimensions of economic environment, quality of life and health care using 28 relevant metrics. Researchers graded each metric on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the most favorable conditions for military retirees. They then determined each state's and the District of Columbia's weighted average across all metrics to calculate the overall score. See the gallery for the 12 worst states for military retirees, according to WalletHub. (Image: Adobe Stock)