How Missouri taxes retirement income
Missouri does not tax Social Security benefits. Pensions and 401(k)/IRA withdrawals are partly taxed (there is an exclusion, then the rest is taxed). Social Security (and SS disability) benefits included in federal AGI are 100% subtracted with NO dollar cap and no AGI/filing-status limitation for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2024 (RSMo 143.125). Public pension income is separately subtracted up to the maximum Social Security benefit payable for the year ($49,824 for 2026), also with the AGI limitation removed since 2024 (RSMo 143.124); claiming the Social Security deduction reduces the public-pension exemption by that amount. Private pension, 401(k), deferred-compensation, Keogh-plan, and traditional IRA (not Roth) distributions are all defined as 'retirement allowance' under RSMo 143.124 and ARE taxed as ordinary income, subject only to a combined subtraction of up to $6,000 if Missouri AGI is below $25,000 (single/HOH), $32,000 (MFJ), or $16,000 (MFS), above those thresholds the subtraction phases out. Military retirement pay is 100% exempt.
Retirement income tax in Missouri, at a glance
| Income type | Taxed by Missouri? |
|---|---|
| Social Security | No |
| Pensions | Partially (exclusion applies) |
| 401(k) / IRA withdrawals | Yes |
| Estate / inheritance tax | None |
| Avg. property tax rate | 0.89% of home value |
Does Missouri tax Social Security benefits?
No. Missouri does not tax Social Security benefits.
Does Missouri tax pensions and 401(k) or IRA withdrawals?
Partly. Social Security (and SS disability) benefits included in federal AGI are 100% subtracted with NO dollar cap and no AGI/filing-status limitation for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2024 (RSMo 143.125). Public pension income is separately subtracted up to the maximum Social Security benefit payable for the year ($49,824 for 2026), also with the AGI limitation removed since 2024 (RSMo 143.124); claiming the Social Security deduction reduces the public-pension exemption by that amount. Private pension, 401(k), deferred-compensation, Keogh-plan, and traditional IRA (not Roth) distributions are all defined as 'retirement allowance' under RSMo 143.124 and ARE taxed as ordinary income, subject only to a combined subtraction of up to $6,000 if Missouri AGI is below $25,000 (single/HOH), $32,000 (MFJ), or $16,000 (MFS), above those thresholds the subtraction phases out. Military retirement pay is 100% exempt.
For the mechanics of required withdrawals in retirement, see what is an RMD.
Sources
- Missouri taxation of retirement income (Social Security, pensions, 401(k)/IRA): Missouri Department of Revenue / Taxation.