Social Security benefits are still taxed in some states. Why there's a push to change that

There’s a push to end taxes on Social Security benefits to help retirees keep more money in their pockets.

That includes not only federal levies that may apply to that income, but also state taxes that may apply to benefits.`

“Currently, eight states still tax Social Security to some degree,” John Hishta, senior vice president of campaigns at AARP, said during a Jan. 15 briefing on the 2026 tax filing season.

Those states are Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Utah and Vermont.

“We’re actively working to change that,” Hishta said.