Does Wisconsin tax military retirement pay?
Not taxed
No. Wisconsin exempts payments from the U.S. military retirement system, including the Survivor Benefit Plan.
In the state's own words
Copied word for word from the official document linked below each quote:
“The following retirement benefits are exempt from Wisconsin income tax: • Payments from the U.S. military retirement system (including payments from the Retired Servicemen's Family Protection Plan or the Survivor Benefit Plan).”
Other retirement income in Wisconsin
Partly. Wisconsin taxes the same pension income that is taxable federally, but from 2025 people 67 or older can subtract up to $24,000 ($48,000 for a couple), and a $5,000 subtraction applies at 65 for lower incomes. The Wisconsin pension page has the details, and the Wisconsin Social Security page covers Social Security. No. Wisconsin does not tax Social Security.
Before you file or move
This page is about state income tax only. Your federal return has its own rules for military retired pay, and VA disability compensation is a separate benefit from retired pay. State rules change, and the details (age, years, which kinds of pay qualify, survivor benefits) matter. Check with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue before you file or move.
Other states in the same group
Check our work
The answer above comes from this document. Follow the link and compare.
- Publication 126: How Your Retirement Benefits Are TaxedWisconsin Department of Revenue. Read on November 13, 2026.