
Best and Worst States for Retirement? Here's the Ranking
One in five Americans aged 50 and over have no retirement savings.
One in five Americans aged 50 and over has no retirement savings, and more than half worry that they won't have enough money to last once they leave the workforce, according to an AARP survey.
However, where U.S. workers live can have a significant impact on their retirement readiness.
Getting familiar with some of the key averages in your state, from 401(k) balances to median incomes, life expectancies, cost of living and more, can help you understand just how prepared you are — or aren't — for your golden years.
Related: How Much Money Do You Need to Retire Comfortably in Your State? Here's the Breakdown.
Western & Southern Financial Group examined those metrics and others to rank all 50 states based on where retirees have the best and worst readiness for retirement.
New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia and Vermont came out on top for states where people are most prepared for retirement, per the study.
What's more, residents in Connecticut and New Jersey reported the highest average 401(k) balances: $546,000 and $514,000, respectively. Residents over the age of 65 in those states also have high median incomes — over $96,000.
Related: Here Are the Best and Worst States for Retirement in 2025, According to a New Report
Americans living in West Virginia, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee and Arizona may fare the worst in retirement, according to the research.
Mississippi and Arkansas residents reported some of the lowest average 401(k) balances, at $348,000 and $364,000, respectively. In West Virginia and Arkansas, residents over the age of 65 have median incomes under $58,000.
Related: These Are the States Where $1 Million in Retirement Savings Lasts the Longest (and Where You'll Be Broke in No Time)
Check out Western & Southern Financial Group's full ranking of Americans' retirement readiness by state below:
Image Credit: Courtesy of Western & Southern Financial Group
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


News24
28 minutes ago
- News24
Chainsaws and choppers: Volunteers remove invasive plants in Western Cape
Be among those who shape the future with knowledge. Uncover exclusive stories that captivate your mind and heart with our FREE 14-day subscription trial. Dive into a world of inspiration, learning, and empowerment. You can only trial once. Start your FREE trial now
Yahoo
33 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Morgan Stanley Raises NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA)'s Stock Price Target to $170, Maintains Overweight Rating
On Thursday, Morgan Stanley lifted NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA)'s stock price target to $170 from $160, while maintaining an Overweight rating for its shares. A close-up of a colorful high-end graphics card being plugged in to a gaming computer. The firm's analyst expressed optimism about the company's outlook, which stems from several factors. The risks associated with NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA)'s shipments to China appear to have been mitigated. Customers' feedback indicates robust demand for the company's new technologies, leaving room for further growth in demand. Morgan Stanley's confidence in sustained high demand for NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA)'s products has resulted in a 6% increase in the stock's price target, suggesting that their earlier estimates were conservative. The revision follows NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA)'s announcement of Q1 FY26 results on May 28, in which the company reported better-than-anticipated earnings and revenue, driven by its booming data center business, recording a 73% year-over-year growth in revenue. NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA)'s shares surged 5% in extended trading with investors encouraged by the news that sales hit from China export restrictions were not as bad as feared, as customers stockpiled the chips before the curbs took effect. However, the ongoing restrictions are expected to impact revenue by about $8 billion in Q2. While we acknowledge the potential of NVDA as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than NVDA and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: ChatGPT Stock Advice: Top 12 Stock Recommendations and 10 Cheap Rising Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Tornado relief: Tents offer care packages for kids in need
ST. LOUIS – In the aftermath of the May 16 tornado, the north St. Louis community has come together to support those affected, with neighbors helping neighbors in a remarkable display of solidarity. One of the many initiatives includes pop-up tents distributing care packages to children impacted by the storm. These efforts are part of a larger community response to provide relief and hope to those in need. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now On Friday, at the corner of Marcus and Natural Bridge Avenues in North St. Louis, children were seen smiling as they received care packages, a testament to the community's resilience and generosity. The Urban League of Metro St. Louis is organizing another large distribution event to further aid the community. This event will take place at their headquarters on North Kingshighway from noon to 3 p.m. tomorrow. Volunteers are encouraged to arrive by 10 a.m. to assist with the setup. The event will offer food, toiletries and other essential items through a drive-through service to ensure safety and convenience. All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KTVI. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KTVI staff before being published. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.