California ranks among worst states to retire. Here's why

"By December of 2025, the 60-year-old was back at work, "un-retiring" as rising costs made retirement unaffordable. She now holds three jobs. Moving from celebration to working six days a week was difficult and disappointing, she said, and meant putting personal projects and creative pursuits on hold - like writing a book."

"It was a tough but necessary call - and one that reflects a growing reality for retirees across the Bay Area and California. A recent study ranked California as the sixth-worst state to retire, trailing Mississippi, Alabama, New York, Massachusetts and New Jersey. California's high cost of living drove the state's poor showing, said Arthur Bretschneider, the CEO of CareScout, the company that did the study and which provides long-term care insurance and planning. As the share of the state's population nearing retirement continues to rise, he says the findings underscore a growing problem."

""It's getting harder and harder to age here," Bretschneider said. Already, about 22% of Bay Area retirees reported struggling to pay bills, according to a 2025 poll by the Bay Area News Group and the think tank Joint Venture Silicon Valley."

Maureen Spranza retired in August 2024 and returned to work by December 2025, holding three jobs because rising costs made retirement unaffordable. Transitioning from celebration to working six days a week forced her to put personal projects and creative pursuits, including writing a book, on hold. CareScout ranked California the sixth-worst state for retirement, citing high costs of living and expensive assisted living. About 22% of Bay Area retirees reported struggling to pay bills in a 2025 poll by Bay Area News Group and Joint Venture Silicon Valley. Financial planners note that relocating to lower-cost states and careful planning can improve retirement sustainability.

Read at The Mercury News