Alabama is the second-best state for military retirees to call home, according to a ranking released Monday by RetireGuide.
According to the informative health and wealth website, 13 metrics — ranging from veterans concerns, housing and quality of life — were taken into consideration when determining the best states for military retirees.
Alabama’s ranking, topped only by Florida, is bolstered by the state collecting no income tax on military retirement income.
The study found Alabama with the fourth-best cost of living for veterans out of all 50 states. With a veteran population of 7.1%, state funding per former military personnel equates to $12.68.
Alabama’s cost of living is lower than any other state in the top 10. The Yellowhammer State averages $3,503 per month for assisted living costs, ranking seventh in the nation.
In addition, Alabama has 3.8 Veterans Affairs facilities per capita, which is the country’s fifth-best rate.
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In a statement to Yellowhammer News, Gov. Kay Ivey attributed Alabama’s standing among veterans to be the result of legislation to enhance the state’s military-friendly environment.
“Those who serve our country spend their careers moving based on assignment, so I’m extremely proud that so many of these American heroes are choosing to live out their post-service lives here in Alabama,” said Ivey. “This is no doubt the result of the military-friendly environment we’ve worked so hard to build through tax cuts, state funded veteran programs and plain common sense.
“In Alabama, we understand the true cost of freedom and will continue to prioritize supporting our veterans who have sacrificed so much to protect it.”
The state’s standing among the military community was bolstered during this year’s regular legislative session when Ivey signed a package of bills aimed to enhance service member quality of life.
SEE: Gov. Kay Ivey signs bill package to make Alabama ‘most pro-military state’ in nation
Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, who chairs the Alabama Military Stability Commission, said he will continue to help improve the state’s attractiveness for veterans.
“As chairman of the Alabama Military Stability Commission, we have worked hard to make Alabama the nation’s most welcoming state for both active and retired service members and their families,” he said in a statement to Yellowhammer News. “The fact that Alabama is now the second most popular state among military retirees offers strong evidence that the commission’s efforts are producing results, but just like our college football teams, we won’t stop working, pushing, and promoting until we are ranked number one in the nation.”
Dylan Smith is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
