New York is the least affordable state for retirees: survey

It’s not good to grow old in the Empire State — unless you have significant private savings, that is.

That’s because New York, according to several surveys, is virtually the most expensive retirement state.

“New York, the second-worst state to retire, comes last in affordability, the study’s most important metric,” according to a Bankrate.com survey that ranked states on factors including affordability, weather, wellness, culture and crime rate.

“We looked at general costs and taxes, and New York came out higher than a lot of other states,” said Adrian Garcia, a data analyst with Bankrate.com.

WalletHub, in its “Best States to Retire” survey earlier this year, ranked New York “47th in affordability.”

Another earlier survey from Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies found that, when choosing where to live in retirement, an “affordable cost of living” is the biggest factor.

For those retiring here, that could be scary. The survey shows many retirees or would-be retirees have little in private savings.

“Social Security is the primary source of income for most retirees. Sixty-six% of retirees indicate it will be their primary source of income over the course of their retirement,” the Transamerica report said.

But the average monthly payment this year, according to the Social Security administration, is $1,461. That comes to an average annual Social Security income of about $17,500.

“Imagine living in retirement on that income?” said veteran financial advisor Charles Hughes in Bay Shore, New York. He added that some aren’t waiting for retirement woes.

“Millennials are now leaving the state in droves,” he said.