The United States recognized May as National Military Appreciation Month ― a time to honor the service and sacrifice of current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Memorial Day weekend is also right around the corner, when family and friends will partake in events honoring the brave men and women who served our nation, past and present.
Military members who are currently planning their years after service will want to look into states that offer the best job opportunities and housing affordability. Quality of VA hospitals is also a factor that needs to be given careful consideration. WalletHub’s recent report for best and worst states in 2025 for military retirees does a good job of narrowing down this information for veterans. And it cites South Carolina as the No. 1 state that checks all the boxes.
“Transitioning from military to civilian life isn’t easy, but the best states for military retirees make that adjustment as smooth as possible. In addition to providing the conditions necessary for our veterans to thrive financially, they also have ample resources for taking care of military retirees’ physical and mental health.” said Chip Lupo, WalletHub analyst.
Here’s why you should move down south to get the best out of your military benefits.
What methodology was used to determine state rankings?
WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across three key dimensions to determine best and worst states for military retirement, including economic environment (33.33 points), quality of life (33.33 points), and health care (33.33 points). Dimensions were then evaluated using 28 relevant metrics, which were graded on a 100 point scale (100 representing the most favorable conditions for military retirees).
Why was SC ranked No. 1 for military retirees?
S.C. has many policies in place to help veterans, such as preferential hiring and academic credit for military service, per WalletHub. It also has veteran treatment courts that provide services like treatment and mentoring to veterans in the criminal justice system. Military pensions are not taxed within the state.
Original post written by Nina Tran, Bluffton Today
