Overwhelming Majority of Montanans age 45+ Want Social Security Tax Relief, Exclusive AARP “Vital Voices” Survey Reveals

Survey results will shape AARP’s future advocacy efforts

AARP Montana recently released new research that examines how Montanans age 45 and older feel about issues such as health care, financial security, energy costs, caregiving, livable communities and more. This is part of an ongoing effort by AARP in all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands to better understand the needs and attitudes of older Americans and assist in the development of programs, policies and resources to support them.

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In Montana, AARP surveyed 720 people and found that, among residents 45-plus:

Montanans age 45+ want Social Security tax relief

• 79% say it’s extremely or very important to eliminate or phase out Montana’s tax on Social Security income
• 79% say it’s extremely or very important to eliminate or phase out Montana’s tax on Social Security income
• 60% support raising the base amount of taxable SS income from $25k to $40k (individual) and $34k to $49k (adjusted)

Housing affordability is a real concern for Montana residents

• 4 in 5 (83%) say housing affordability is a very or fairly serious problem where they live
  
  • Extremely or very concerned about ability to afford housing costs in the future:
    
    • Home insurance: 44%
    • Property taxes: 40%
    • Utility bills: 40%
    • Home repairs or updates to age in place: 37%
    • Monthly rent or mortgage payments: 29%
• 3 in 4 (74%) say elected leaders should place a very high or fairly high priority on affordable housing

“These results not only support our advocacy and outreach efforts on legislative priorities, but they become important for community leaders throughout Montana,” said Tim Summers, AARP Montana State Director. “As local and state officials make public policy decisions that impact the lives of all Montanans, it’s essential for them to have reliable research results that accurately gauge public opinion." 

This is the third round of Vital Voices research that AARP has conducted. Last legislative session, AARP Montana used findings from Vital Voices when meeting with elected officials and delivering public testimony. 

“In previous years we found that an overwhelming majority of Montanans age 45+ wanted tax relief,” said Summers. “As a result, last session, AARP Montana championed legislation to do just that.” 

This new data will once again be provided to local and state leaders, who will be able to use the data to:

• Predict the need for a specific program or interest in a particular issue.
• Enhance program and product innovation and development.
• Track issues and attitudes over time to assess shifts in public opinion.
• Take action on critical advocacy issues.

“In this upcoming legislative session, we will be tackling the issue of Montana’s tax on Social Security income,” said Summers.  "Montanans have earned their Social Security through a lifetime of hard work. Social Security isn’t meant to fill state coffers -- it was meant to carry people throughout their retirement years.”

To see the Montana report as well as AARP insights on Americans 45+ in every state visit: aarp.org/vitalvoices.

More AARP Montana Vital Voices Survey Resources:

• Infographic
• Annotated Questionnaire
• Methodology

Also of interest:

• AARP Releases 2025 Helena Community Survey Highlighting Concerns of Residents age 50-plus
• AARP Montana Property Tax Relief Resource Page: Find Property Tax Help in Montana