Even the best prepared amongus can forget to consider certain retirement expenses, and with that in mind,GoBankingRates.com has ranked each state in thecountry by one expense factor that many do omit from theircalculations: the overall taxes paid by retirees.

After all, some states are financially friendlier than others toretirees, exempting some or all of retirement income, while otherstax everything and then some.

Additional taxes such as that on personal property, salestax on purchases, and even the tax rate itself were figured intothe equation to come up with where each state in the nation standswhen it comes to preserving (or collecting) retirees' income.

Of course, taxes aren't the only factor that should figure intoretirement preparedness calculations. Even if a state isn'tparticularly tax friendly, it might turn out to be a better choicebecause of overall cost of living, access to health care orproximity to kids, grandkids and friends.

In grading states on their tax structures, GOBankingRatesexamined four tax rates: the average state and local sales tax,sourced from the Tax Foundation; the state tax on Social Securitybenefits, sourced from Kiplinger; the effective state property tax,sourced from the National Association of Home Builders; and thestate income tax rate based on the median income of adults ages65–74, sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. State tax onSocial Security benefits was weighted twice as much as othertaxes.

Here are the 5 most and 5 least tax-friendly states forretirees, as determined by GoBankingRates.com.

5 most tax-friendly states for retirement

5. Washington

• Income tax: None
• Property tax: 0.89 percent
• State sales tax: 6.29 percent
• State tax on Social Security: None

The fact that the state of Washington has no state income tax ora tax on Social Security makes it a prime contender for aretirement haven. And if you add to that the fact that its propertytax rate is lower than in half of the states, that just ups theante.

Oh, and one more thing: its capital Olympia is also one of themost affordable cities for retirees who want an activelifestyle, according to another GOBankingRates study.

4. New Hampshire

• Income tax: None
• Property tax: 1.94 percent
• State sales tax: None
• State tax on Social Security: None

If you're looking for tax freedom, New Hampshire is yourplace—especially for retirees. There is one exception, though; thestate would rank even higher on this list if it weren't for itsproperty taxes, which are the third highest in the country.

Still, it has no sales tax, no state income tax and no tax onSocial Security.

3. Delaware

• Income tax: 5.55 percent
• Property tax: 0.57 percent
• State sales tax: None
• State tax on Social Security: None

In addition to being a very business-friendly state, Delaware isalso one of the best states to retire taxwise because there is nostate tax on Social Security or sales tax.

And if you're a homeowner, you make out too, since its propertytax rate is among the lowest in the state rankings.

2. Wyoming

• Income tax: None
• Property tax: 0.52 percent
• State sales tax: 5.41 percent
• State tax on Social Security: None

Wyoming has a lot to offer retirees, and top among them is alack of taxes on Social Security benefits. Add to that (orsubtract, maybe?) the fact that it also lacks a state income taxand that among the taxes it does have, its sales and property taxrates are among the lowest in the U.S. and you've got a placethat's really retiree friendly.

Oh, and one more thing: it's also one of the best states toretire rich, owing to its relatively low cost of living andcompetitive rates on interest-bearing savings accounts.

1. Alaska

• Income tax: None
• Property tax: 0.97 percent
• State sales tax: 1.76 percent
• State tax on Social Security: None

If you were to choose solely on the basis of tax, Alaska is themost tax-friendly state for retirees. With no state income tax ortax on Social Security, as well as the fifth lowest sales tax ratein the country, the Last Frontier (with apologies to StarTrek fans) definitely comes out on top.

But be warned: the cost of living in Alaska is higher than thatof most states—and that could make all the difference.

5 least tax-friendly states for retirement

5. Missouri

• Income tax: 6 percent
• Property tax: 0.96 percent
• State sales tax: 7.89 percent
• State tax on Social Security: Not taxed forsingle taxpayers with AGI less than $85,000 and married coupleswith AGI less than $100,000

You might have thought that the Show-Me State wouldn't imposesuch high taxes on its residents, but you'd be wrong. Seniorsshould beware of their tax bills in Missouri, with the13^th highest sales tax and 12^th highestincome tax in the rankings.

And then there are its property taxes—higher in Missouri than inmore than half of the states. Even Social Security is taxed forhigh-income taxpayers, so those with a comfortable retirementincome should maybe think twice before moving here.

4. Kansas

• Income tax: 4.9 percent
• Property tax: 1.26 percent
• State sales tax: 8.62 percent
• State tax on Social Security: Exempt fromKansas income tax for residents with federal AGI of $75,000 orless

Not only will you be forking over taxes on your Social Securitybenefits in Kansas, it's gonna cost you more every time you go tothe store; the state has one of the highest sales tax rates in the U.S.

And don't think owning your own home will save you money; theproperty tax rate in Kansas is higher than in a majority of states,which means you'll have less money left to pay other bills.

3. Connecticut

• Income tax: 5 percent
• Property tax: 1.66 percent
• State sales tax: 6.35 percent
• State tax on Social Security: Exempt forindividual taxpayers with federal AGI less than $50,000 and marriedtaxpayers filing jointly with federal AGI less than $60,000

It may be a lovely place to live, but Connecticut has thesixth-highest property tax rate in the country.

When you add to that a relatively high income tax rate, itraises the real danger that retirees could also be shelling out fortaxes on Social Security benefits if they're single and have an AGIhigher than $50,000, or if they're married and filing jointly withan AGI above $60,000.

2. Minnesota

• Income tax: 7.05 percent
• Property tax: 1.09 percent
• State sales tax: 7.3 percent
• State tax on Social Security: Taxed to theextent they are taxed at the federal level

Even though fewer than half the states tax Social Securitybenefits—just 13 do—Minnesota is one of them.

It also has the fifth highest income tax rate, and expectsresidents to keep buying homes and shopping even when its propertytax and sales tax rates are higher than in more than half of theother states.

1. Nebraska

• Income tax: 5.01 percent
• Property tax: 1.6 percent
• State sales tax: 6.89 percent
• State tax on Social Security: Taxpayer cansubtract Social Security income included in federal adjusted grossincome if AGI is less than or equal to $58,000 for married couplesfiling jointly or $43,000 for other filers

The cost of living is low in Lincoln, the state capital, soironically that's one of the cities where your retirement egg will stretch thefurthest. But that's where the bargains end.

Taxes here will more than sting, with sales and income tax rateshigher in Nebraska than in more than half of the states.

Property taxes? Eighth highest in the country. And when you tackon state taxes on Social Security income, you might want to thinktwice before retiring here.