Vermont
#48
retiree-friendly rank
- Social Security
- SS partially taxed
- Retirement income
- Retirement income taxed
- Death tax
- Estate tax
Vermont and Connecticut tie on this site's modeled retiree-friendliness score. Compare Social Security, pensions and IRA withdrawals, estate/inheritance taxes, and supporting property and sales rates.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
More retiree-friendly on this model
Both states share the same modeled Social Security, retirement-income, and estate/inheritance score.
#48
retiree-friendly rank
#48
retiree-friendly rank
Rankings emphasize income and death taxes. Property and sales rates matter for cash flow but do not drive the retiree-friendliness score.
| Metric | Vermont | Connecticut |
|---|---|---|
| Retiree-friendly rank | #48 | #48 |
| Social Security | SS partially taxed | SS partially taxed |
| Retirement income | Retirement income taxed | Retirement income taxed |
| Estate / inheritance | Estate tax | Estate tax |
| Estate exemption | $5M | $15M |
| Estate top rate | 16% | 12% |
| Effective property tax | 1.51% | 1.54% |
| Combined sales tax | 6.43% | 6.35% |
State rules explained
The gap is rarely one rule. Social Security thresholds, pension exclusions, and estate taxes can each flip which state looks better for a given household.
Still taxes some Social Security above AGI thresholds; other retirement income taxable; estate tax applies.
Full SS exemption below AGI $55,000 single / $70,000 joint; partial relief phases out above.
Other retirement income generally taxed; SS partially taxed above thresholds.
Estate tax: exemption about $5M, top rate about 16%.
Taxes some Social Security above AGI thresholds and most other retirement income; also levies an estate tax.
Full SS exemption below AGI $75,000 single / $100,000 joint; above that, up to 25% of benefits may be taxed.
Most pension and account withdrawals taxed; SS partially taxed above AGI thresholds.
Estate tax: exemption about $15M, top rate about 12%.
A household living mostly on Social Security may prefer different rules than one drawing large IRA RMDs. Compare Vermont and Connecticut against your actual income mix.
Federal estate tax can still apply above about $15M. State estate or inheritance tax is an extra layer in some states.
Vermont property 1.51% vs Connecticut 1.54%; sales 6.43% vs 6.35%.
Compare any two states
Social Security, pensions/IRA, estate taxes, and supporting property/sales rates.
Use Social Security and RMD tools, then apply each state's rules from this comparison.
Educational comparison only. Confirm current state return instructions and estate planning rules before relocating.