Retirement Abroad

Retiring abroad can significantly stretch retirement savings while offering new experiences and often better weather. Panama topped International Living's 2025 Global Retirement Index, while Portugal led the Global Citizen Solutions report. Both offer excellent retirement visa programs and quality of life. Cost of living is typically the primary consideration. Couples can live comfortably for $1,200-$3,000/month in destinations like Panama, Portugal, Costa Rica, or Mexico—significantly less than many US cities. Healthcare quality and accessibility vary widely; some countries offer excellent public healthcare to legal residents. Key factors include visa requirements (most retirement visas require proof of pension or passive income), healthcare access, tax implications (some countries don't tax US Social Security or pensions), proximity to the US, and English prevalence. Many retirees test destinations with extended visits before committing.

Key Points

• 1Panama #1 on International Living 2025 index; Pensionado visa offers extensive discounts
• 2Portugal #1 on Global Citizen Solutions report; D7 visa requires steady passive income
• 3Comfortable retirement possible on $1,200-$3,000/month in top destinations
• 4Costa Rica has no tax on foreign income; Mexico has no tax on US Social Security
• 5Spain requires €28,800/year passive income for non-lucrative retirement visa
• 6Greece offers affordable European retirement with $1,600/month cost of living for couples
• 7Thailand retirement visa available at age 50+ with ~$1,900/month income proof