Washington retirement taxes in 2026: what retirees pay

Washington keeps things simple for retirees: the state has no income tax. That means the money you live on in retirement, whether it comes from a pension, withdrawals from an IRA or workplace retirement account, or Social Security benefits, isn't taxed by the state at all. There are no exclusions to qualify for, no age thresholds to track, and no special rules for different kinds of retirement income. The figures on this page show how that plays out, and for Washington the state's part of the picture is refreshingly short.

Washington retirement taxes at a glance (2026)

How Washington treats retirement income

Washington has no income tax, so pensions, IRA and 401(k) withdrawals and Social Security are not taxed by the state. 1

What three retirees would pay in Washington

These are estimates from Monte Climb's planner on 2026 law, for three example households. They start, as the app does, from federal taxable income: the 2026 standard deduction plus the extra amount at 65 4, the taxable part of Social Security 5 and the senior deduction 6.

• A single retiree, 67 with $54,000 of income would owe about $0 to Washington.
• A married couple, both 67 with $106,000 of income would owe about $0 to Washington.
• A married couple, both 62, before Social Security with $76,000 of income would owe about $0 to Washington.

The same couple next door

The married couple, both 67, with $106,000 of income, in Washington and the states around it:

Every figure here starts from federal taxable income, as above, so a state whose own deductions are smaller can tax more than shown.

What these estimates leave out

• City income taxes, and capital gains rules a state applies apart from its rate.
• Rules for military and public-employee pensions that some states treat separately.

What this means for your plan

For your plan, Washington's lack of an income tax means state tax won't come out of your retirement withdrawals or benefits. Federal tax still applies, and other costs of living in the state matter too, so the full picture depends on more than income tax alone. Monte Climb runs Washington's rules on your own plan, so you can see how your savings, withdrawals and benefits hold up over time without a state income tax bill.

Sources

1. Washington income tax for 2026 (Monte Climb's audit grades it high)
2. Washington: a further official source for the 2026 tables
3. Washington: a further official source for the 2026 tables
4. Rev. Proc. 2025-32 §4.14(1) and §4.14(3): the 2026 standard deduction and the additional amount at 65
5. IRC §86 and IRS Publication 915: how much of Social Security is taxable (thresholds set by statute, not indexed)
6. P.L. 119-21 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act) §70103: the $6,000 deduction for each person 65 or older, 2025–2028

Figures computed by code from Monte Climb's 2026 state tables (snapshot f024e17). An illustration, not tax advice.

Frequently asked questions

Does Washington tax Social Security?

In 2026, Social Security is not taxed (no income tax) in Washington.

What is Washington's income tax rate in 2026?

Washington has no state income tax.

How much state tax would a retired couple pay in Washington?

A married couple, both 67, with $106,000 of Social Security, pension and IRA income would owe about $0 to Washington in 2026, by Monte Climb's estimate.