RI 5th Worst State for Military Retirees, According to New Study

RI 5th Worst State for Military Retirees, According to New Study

Rhode Island has been ranked the fifth-worst state for military retirees, according to a new study. 

In an analysis that used a data set of 30 key metrics, ranging from veterans per capita to number of VA health facilities to job opportunities for veterans, only Nevada, the District of Columbia, Vermont, and Oregon ranked worse. 

Virginia, South Carolina, and Florida were the top ranked states in WalletHub’s latest study. 

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“As military personnel retire this year, some of whom will be the last American forces withdrawn from Afghanistan, they may find it difficult to readjust to civilian life. For example, the U.S. is still dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, which has killed more Americans than World War II did. Plus, the high unemployment rate caused by COVID-19 may stand as an obstacle to any former military personnel looking to get civilian jobs,” writes Wallet Hub. 

“Even without a pandemic, retirement from the military is always difficult, with many retirees facing major struggles including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, disability and homelessness,” they continue. “These veterans must also consider how state tax policies on military benefits vary, along with the relative friendliness of different job markets and other socioeconomic factors, when choosing a state in which to settle down.”

Of note, Rhode Island ranked worst overall for having the fewest number of VA health facilities per number of veterans.