10 Best States for Older Workers in 2026
More Americans are working well past 65. According to the latest stats from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 11.6 million adults ages 65 and older are still in the workforce, up 132% from 2004.
Americans are working into later ages for a variety of reasons, including improved longevity and the ability to keep working for longer, as well as higher living costs that are making working longer a necessity for some.
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Whether you’re planning to stay in the workforce into your 60s due to choice or necessity, a report from CareScout found that some states offer far better conditions than others.
How the Best States for Older Workers Were Ranked
To determine the best and worst states for older workers, CareScout evaluated all 50 states and Washington, D.C., using six key factors:
Labor force participation
Income for older workers
Age discrimination rates
Remote work flexibility
Income taxes
New business growth
Top States Where Older Workers Thrive in 2026
Based on this analysis, the following best states for older workers tend to be clustered on the East and West Coasts.
New Hampshire
Alaska
Maryland
Utah
Connecticut
Colorado
Wyoming
Massachusetts
Vermont
Virginia
The top states tend to have low rates of age discrimination, strong labor force participation among older adults and high income for older workers. Among the top five, all but Maryland have low personal income taxes.
While every individual's working experience will be unique, these states offer the best chance of having a positive work life into your 60s and beyond.
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This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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