Fact check: How do state taxes affect Social Security benefits in 2026?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, only nine states still tax Social Security benefits as of 2025, with significant changes occurring in 2026 ^{[1] [2] [3]}. The nine states that continue to tax Social Security benefits include Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, and West Virginia ^[2].

West Virginia is phasing out its tax on Social Security income in 2026, which will reduce the number of taxing states to eight ^{[1] [4]}. This represents a continuing trend of states eliminating or reducing taxes on Social Security benefits, with Kansas and West Virginia being recent examples of states that have moved away from taxing these benefits ^[3].

The 41 remaining states do not tax Social Security benefits, providing significant tax savings for retirees who choose to live in these jurisdictions ^[4]. The rules for taxation vary significantly among the nine taxing states, with different income thresholds, age requirements, and partial or full exemptions depending on the specific state's tax code ^{[1] [3]}.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The analyses reveal several important contextual factors not addressed in the original question:

• Federal taxation context: The taxation of Social Security benefits was introduced in 1983 to shore up the Social Security trust fund ^[5]. There are ongoing federal policy discussions, with President Trump promising to end federal taxes on Social Security, though this would require Congressional approval ^[3].
• Recent federal legislative developments: One source indicates that legislation providing historic tax relief for seniors has been passed, eliminating federal income taxes on Social Security benefits for most beneficiaries ^[6]. This represents a significant policy shift that could influence state-level decisions.
• Financial impact for retirees: The analyses show that retirees can achieve substantial tax savings by choosing to live in states that don't tax Social Security benefits, though specific dollar amounts vary by individual circumstances ^[4].
• Policy trend analysis: There's a clear nationwide movement toward eliminating state taxes on Social Security benefits, suggesting that the number of taxing states will likely continue to decrease beyond 2026 ^[3].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself does not contain misinformation or bias - it's a straightforward inquiry about state tax policy. However, the question's framing could benefit from acknowledging that:

• The majority of states (41 out of 50) already do not tax Social Security benefits, making the taxation the exception rather than the rule ^[4]
• The landscape is rapidly changing, with West Virginia's 2026 phase-out representing just the latest in a series of state policy changes ^[1]
• Federal policy changes may also be occurring simultaneously, which could significantly impact the overall tax burden on Social Security recipients regardless of state policy ^[6]

The question appropriately focuses on 2026, which is relevant given the specific policy changes occurring in that year, particularly West Virginia's phase-out of Social Security taxation ^[1].