Birch Bay named best spot in Washington for retirees

Data analysis experts at SmartAsset ranked Birch Bay as the top tax-friendly destination for retirees in the state. Sudden Valley, located in Bellingham, also ranked in the top 10.

The study revealed how various tax policies in Washington impacted a retiree with a $50,000 income comprised of an average $15,000 in Social Security, $10,000 in a private pension, $15,000 in retirement savings and $10,000 in wages.

Researchers took into consideration estimated income, sale, fuel and property tax rates of each destination and developed a weighted series of categories to highlight the taxes that impact retirees the most.

Once the results came in, Birch Bay ranked first on the list of top tax-friendly places for retirees and was followed by East Port Orchard, Union Gap, Wollochet, Brier and Sudden Valley.

To view SmartAsset’s full report, visit bit.ly/2r6VCEN.