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The Daily Insight

Does Hawaii tax out of state public pensions?

Author

Emma Jordan

Published Mar 26, 2026

Hawaii entirely exempts some types of retirement income, including Social Security retirement benefits and public pension income. On the other hand, the state fully taxes income from private pensions and retirement savings accounts.

Are federal pensions taxed in Hawaii?

Retirement distributions from a private or public pension plan are tax-free in Hawaii—that is, as long as you didn’t make contributions to the plan. You will be taxed on any portion of your pension income attributable to employee contributions you made.

What is government pension exclusion?

Unlike the regular Pension and Annuity Income Exclusion, the exclusion of pensions from the Federal government or New York State and/or local governments are NOT limited to $20,000. You may take the exclusion up to the amount the pension or other distribution was included in your Federal Adjusted Gross Income (AGI).

Which is the most backward state in USA?

Mississippi consistently lands at the bottom of economic development rankings. I find New York backwards in terms of government.

Do you have to pay state pension in Hawaii?

Even if, the State of Hawaii does not tax out of state pension now, it does not mean that it will not tax it in 2021. With that understanding, one good thing about the exemption is that State of Hawaii does not tax governmental pension. It in general does not tax any pension for past services.

Is there an out of state pension tax exemption?

All out-of-state government pensions qualify for the pension exemption. Age 65 or older qualifies for an exemption of $6,000. Taxpayers who are married filing jointly and are both age 65 or older may each exclude up to $6,000. If only 1 spouse has retirement income, the exclusion is limited to $6,000.

Is my retirement income taxable to Hawaii?

Is my retirement income taxable to Hawaii? Hawaii does not tax qualifying distributions from: If you received distributions from a private employer pension plan and you made contributions to the pension plan, your distribution is partially taxable.

Are there any exemptions to wage garnishment in Hawaii?

Furthermore, Hawaii has carved out other exemptions from garnishment for a few types or categories of for non-wage, non-salary sources of income: Pensions: like most states, Hawaii protects the pensions of public or state workers, including police and firefighters. In addition to Social Security,…