Retiring in Iowa: how your income is taxed
Iowa is very tax-friendly for retirees. On a typical retirement income it ranks tied for #1 of 51 with 18 other states for the lowest state income tax.
Assumptions behind this comparison
The ranking uses a full-year resident, single filer age 67, with $30,000 Social Security, $20,000 private defined-benefit pension, $20,000 traditional IRA withdrawals under 2026 rules. It models a general private pension and traditional IRA withdrawals. Public or military pension exceptions, early-distribution penalties and itemized deductions require separate checking. Maryland and Indiana estimates include an approximate statewide-average county income tax; other local income taxes are not modeled. A state with no income tax differs from a state that exempts only specified retirement income.
The joint table uses two spouses age 67, with each income category split equally between them. Personal exclusions follow each spouse's own eligible income; some states instead allow a joint cap. The calculator initially assigns household income to you and lets you enter your spouse's actual age and share. Read the source instructions for your pension type.
The rules in Iowa
- Social Security: Iowa does not tax Social Security benefits for any resident, at any age or income.
- Pensions: Since tax year 2023 (HF 2317), qualifying retirement income is fully excluded with no cap for people 55+ by Dec 31, disabled people, and eligible surviving spouses. This covers defined-benefit pensions, including IPERS. Below 55 without another qualifying exception, otherwise-taxable pension income remains taxable. Nonqualified deferred compensation and nonqualified annuities do not qualify.
- 401(k), 403(b) and IRA withdrawals: Otherwise-taxable distributions from qualifying traditional, SEP and SIMPLE IRAs, 401(k), 457(b) and Keogh plans can be excluded at 55 or older, or under the disability and eligible-survivor rules. Qualifying Roth conversion income can also receive the Iowa exclusion. Qualified Roth distributions are already excluded from federal income. Below 55 without another qualifying exception, otherwise-taxable distributions remain taxable; the absence of this exclusion does not make every Roth withdrawal taxable.
- At 65 and older: Iowa starts from federal taxable income, so the extra federal standard deduction at 65 and the federal senior deduction (up to $6,000 per person, 2025–2028) carry over, and each filer 65 or older gets an extra $20 exemption credit.
Exclusion eligibility and taxability are separate. See IRS guidance on qualified Roth distributions and Iowa's retirement-income exclusion conditions. Roth conversions and nonqualified withdrawals are not calculated by this tool.
Calculate your Iowa retirement taxes
State income tax in Iowa: $0 a year
In Iowa, qualifying employer-plan withdrawals can receive the pension exclusion while traditional IRA withdrawals do not. Keep each account in its own field when changing state; the calculator applies the state-specific treatment.
The employer-plan field supports federally taxable private 401(k) / 403(b) retirement distributions owned by someone aged 60 or older. Earlier distributions and Hawaii, Mississippi or Pennsylvania employer-plan scenarios are not calculated; funding or plan retirement eligibility needs a separate check. Enter each amount once; do not include completed rollovers, Roth payments or special public/military plans.
Older shared links did not identify employer-plan withdrawals separately. Pension and IRA amounts have been left unchanged. If an old amount includes 401(k) or 403(b) withdrawals, move that portion into the employer-plan field before comparing states; the tool cannot infer the original account type.
Household totals include taxable private pensions and traditional retirement withdrawals. Other ordinary income means taxable interest and ordinary dividends; capital gains, qualified dividends, tax-exempt interest, wages, Roth distributions and special public or military pension rules need a separate calculation. Disability and survivor eligibility are not assessed by this tool. Age bands represent the listed ages for the full year; midyear eligibility and birth-date exceptions need checking.
Local income taxes are not modeled here, except the approximate statewide-average county rates included when you select Maryland or Indiana.
In Iowa you'd pay about $0 in state income tax and $4,336 in federal income tax on $70,000 of retirement income, keeping $65,664 (6.2% total).
Iowa ranks tied for #1 of 51 with 18 other states for the lowest state tax on this income. 19 states charge no state income tax on this income.
What retirees pay in Iowa
| Retirement income | State tax (single) | State tax (married) | Federal tax (single) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $24,000 Social Security, $12,000 traditional IRA withdrawals | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| $30,000 Social Security, $20,000 private defined-benefit pension, $20,000 traditional IRA withdrawals | $0 | $0 | $4,336 |
| $40,000 Social Security, $40,000 private defined-benefit pension, $50,000 traditional IRA withdrawals, $10,000 other income | $0 | $0 | $19,812 |
Age 67, 2026 rules including the federal senior deduction. For the joint column, income is the household total, both spouses are 67, and each owns 50% of every income category. State estimates apply Iowa's main exclusions and may differ for income-tested credits.
Moving to Iowa in retirement?
Compare the tax on your Social Security, pension and 401(k)/IRA income, and typical living costs, with the state you'd leave. These are the states most households moving to Iowa come from (IRS migration data, 2022–2023).
Frequently asked questions
Does Iowa tax Social Security?
Not taxed. Iowa does not tax Social Security benefits for any resident, at any age or income.
Does Iowa tax pensions?
Not taxed. Since tax year 2023 (HF 2317), qualifying retirement income is fully excluded with no cap for people 55+ by Dec 31, disabled people, and eligible surviving spouses. This covers defined-benefit pensions, including IPERS. Below 55 without another qualifying exception, otherwise-taxable pension income remains taxable. Nonqualified deferred compensation and nonqualified annuities do not qualify.
Does Iowa tax 401(k) and IRA withdrawals?
Not taxed. Otherwise-taxable distributions from qualifying traditional, SEP and SIMPLE IRAs, 401(k), 457(b) and Keogh plans can be excluded at 55 or older, or under the disability and eligible-survivor rules. Qualifying Roth conversion income can also receive the Iowa exclusion. Qualified Roth distributions are already excluded from federal income. Below 55 without another qualifying exception, otherwise-taxable distributions remain taxable; the absence of this exclusion does not make every Roth withdrawal taxable.
Is Iowa a good state to retire for taxes?
For a single retiree with $30,000 Social Security, $20,000 private defined-benefit pension, $20,000 traditional IRA withdrawals, Iowa charges about $0 in state income tax, ranking tied for #1 of 51 with 18 other states (lowest tax first).
Related
Sources: revenue.iowa.gov, revenue.iowa.gov (2), irs.gov. Rules reviewed .