New Jersey

From taxes to sky-high home prices, here’s why NJ is a retirement nightmare

Published

4 weeks ago

November 16, 2025

From taxes to sky-high home prices, here’s why NJ is a retirement nightmare

According to Retirement Living’s State of Retirement and their study of best and worst states to retire, New Jersey ranks as the fourth worst state in the country to kick back, put your feet up, and retire.

According to the study, 58% of adults over 60 worry they will not have enough to retire comfortably.

A long time ago, they called it a “baby boom,” and they were right. As a result of that “baby boom,” there are more Americans hitting retirement age than ever before, so the lack of necessary monies to be comfortable in retirement is an understandable concern.

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Where are the best places to retire?

Good old Wyoming ranks No. 1 in the country as the best state to retire to. If you are retired, you will need $573,800 to live a comfortable retirement. Wyoming has no state income tax and a strong economy. I just cannot see myself high in the saddle scurrying after bison in Wyoming.

West Virginia, Florida, and Montana round out the top 4 best places to retire.

Florida is a favorite of New Jersey retirees. You will need $685,000 to live in a comfortable retirement setting. Be forewarned, the study also points out that with the large influx of retirees headed to Florida, the cost of property and rentals is higher and continues to climb. That real estate will become overpriced and dig into that $685,000 quickly.

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Where does New Jersey stack up?

You will need close to one million dollars to enjoy a comfortable retirement here in New Jersey, $964,000 to be exact. The Great Garden State ranks low in affordability with high real estate costs, the highest property tax rate in the country, and a high state income tax rate.

The good news is that New Jersey offers strong healthcare access and, believe it or not, a low violent crime rate. The pristine beaches, boardwalks and walkability are positive factors, but they do not necessarily offset the large amount of revenue you will need to sink into your retirement in New Jersey.

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I have my own retirement plan; I want to work and play the hits” till I can’t no more.” Good luck to you.

The 10 best and 10 worst states to retire

Gallery Credit: Bankrate/New Jersey 101.5

LOOK: Best counties to retire to in New Jersey

Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to retire in New Jersey using data from Niche.

Gallery Credit: Stacker

The post above reflects the thoughts and observations of New Jersey 101.5 weekend host Big Joe Henry. Any opinions expressed are Big Joe’s own.

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New Jersey

NJ casino workers continue push to end smoking loophole

Published

3 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

NJ casino workers continue push to end smoking loophole

TRENTON, N.J. (WPVI) — New Jersey casino workers, who are pushing to permanently ban smoking in their workplaces, held a rally in Trenton on Monday.

A hearing was held to discuss a lawsuit that aims to close the smoking loophole in the Garden State.

For years, casino workers have been pursuing protections against secondhand smoke in their workplaces.

RELATED | Judge allows smoking to continue in Atlantic City casinos, dealing blow to workers

New Jersey’s Smoke-Free Air Act largely bans indoor smoking, but casinos have a long-standing exemption.

The lawsuit filed last April by the United Auto Workers, which represents dealers at the Bally’s, Caesars and Tropicana casinos.

In August 2024, a judge ruled in favor of the casinos to allow smoking to continue.

“Casino workers are expected to clock in to work every day despite inevitably facing a toxic environment that could cause countless health issues, including cancer, heart disease, and asthma,” said Nancy Erika Smith, the lawyer representing Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE) and the UAW on Monday.

“We’re asking the court to find the exemption in New Jersey’s Smoke-Free Air Act unconstitutional and void it immediately. We hope this case will serve as a precedent for casinos across the country to close their smoking loopholes and stop poisoning their workers,” added Smith.

The casinos have warned that thousands of jobs and millions in gambling revenue and taxes could be lost if smoking was banned.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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New Jersey

11-Vehicle Crash Closes Turnpike, College Student Abducted: NJ Weekend

Published

15 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

11-Vehicle Crash Closes Turnpike, College Student Abducted: NJ Weekend

A teenager was shot to death in Jersey City, a woman was killed in a fiery crash with a dump truck in Ocean County, and a man is in critical condition after an SUV hit him in a Princeton crosswalk.

Here are the headlines from the weekend in New Jersey you may have missed.

Teen Shot Dead In Jersey City Apartment, Prosecutor Says

A 16-year-old boy was found shot to death in Jersey City on Friday night, prosecutors said.

Woman Killed In Fiery Head-On Dump Truck Crash In Ocean County

A woman was killed Friday when her van hit a dump truck head-on in Jackson and burst into flames, Jackson police said.

Evelin Villanueva-Detejeda, 43, of Perth Amboy, was killed in the crash that happened about 2 p.m. on Toms River Road (Route 571) near Osprey Place, Sgt. Edward Travisano said.

Six people sustained minor injuries in the collision late Friday afternoon, according to State Police Tpr. Christopher Postorino.

Read more: 11-Vehicle Crash, Overturned Truck Shut Down Turnpike In South Jersey: Police

NJ College Student Abducted From Campus, Sexually Assaulted By Armed Man, Police Say

A Union County man is facing a slew of charges after kidnapping a woman, according to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.

Akram Elsayed, 28, of Roselle, has been arrested after an investigation found that he’d kidnapped a woman and handcuffed her to the door of a car, police said.

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