Which country is best for retirees?

The best countries to retire often depend on priorities, but top contenders in recent reports (2025-2026) include Greece, Portugal, and Costa Rica, praised for affordability, lifestyle, climate, and strong healthcare/residency pathways, alongside established favorites like Panama, Spain, and Mexico; Europe is a major draw with countries like Greece, Portugal, Italy, France, and Spain offering value and culture, while Thailand, Malaysia, and Mexico provide lower costs and warm climates in Asia/Latin America.

What is the safest and best country to retire in?

The 2025 Natixis Global Retirement Index highlights the best places to retire and ranks Norway, Ireland and Switzerland as the best countries that provide all-around retirement security, thanks to their robust healthcare systems and high standards of living.

What is the easiest country for retired Americans to move to?

The easiest countries for US retirees often balance low cost of living, accessible residency/visas (like pension or investor visas), good healthcare, and proximity to the US, with top contenders including Panama, Costa Rica, Mexico, Portugal, and Malaysia, offering various perks from easy residency in Panama's Pensionado program to affordability in Latin America and quality of life in Europe. 

Which countries do not tax us social security benefits?

U.S. citizens residing abroad.

• Canada.
• Egypt.
• Germany.
• Ireland.
• Israel.
• Italy (You must also be a citizen of Italy for the exemption to apply.)
• Romania.
• United Kingdom.

Where can I retire on $1200 a month?

You can retire comfortably on $1,200 a month by moving to affordable countries in {!nav}Southeast Asia (Bali, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia), {!nav}Latin America (Colombia, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Peru), or {!nav}Eastern Europe (Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, Portugal), where low rents, cheap food, and inexpensive living costs cover basic needs, while some U.S. cities with low cost of living (like {!nav}Blacksburg, VA, {!nav}Rochester, NY, or parts of {!nav}Mexico) might also work, but generally require very frugal living or finding subsidized housing. 

Best Countries for Retirement in 2025 & 2026

What is the nicest but cheapest country to live in?

10 of the cheapest and safest places to live in the world

• Albania.
• Portugal.
• Costa Rica.
• Panama.
• Mexico.
• Thailand.
• Malaysia.
• Vietnam.

How long can you live outside the US before losing your social security?

If you leave the U.S., we will stop your benefits the month after the sixth calendar month in a row that you are outside the country. You can make visits to the United States for specific periods of time, depending on how long you've been outside, to continue receiving your benefits.

Which country is 100% tax free?

Vanuatu. There are no taxes on personal income, inheritance, capital gains, and capital export for individuals. Companies can be exempt from corporate and other taxes for 20 years, only paying a $300 annual fee.

Can you have dual citizenship and still collect social security?

Social Security benefits for dual citizens. US dual citizens can still receive Social Security as long as they earn 40 work credits, and these benefits can be paid to most countries abroad without trouble. This makes retirement planning much easier for people who have lived and worked in more than one place.

What country is most welcoming to American expats?

We concentrate on some of the most desirable countries for US expats including:

• Ireland.
• Canada.
• United Kingdom.
• Germany.
• Australia.
• Portugal.
• New Zealand.
• Japan.

Is it better to rent or buy in retirement?

Renting vs. buying in retirement involves a trade-off between flexibility/less responsibility (renting) and stability/equity (owning), with renting offering freedom to move and no maintenance worries but rising costs, while owning provides fixed housing costs (if paid off) and potential appreciation but requires upkeep and commitment, making the best choice highly personal, depending on your finances, health, and desired lifestyle. 

Where do the happiest retirees live in the USA?

Caring.com's 2025 Senior Happiness Index identifies states where seniors are most content, connected, and live longest. Utah is ranked as the happiest state for older adults due to high volunteer rates, good health, and excellent health care access.

What countries welcome US retirees?

Countries like Thailand, Costa Rica, Panama, and even some European destinations like Portugal are generally easy for Americans to retire to. Many countries around the world welcome US retirees because they bring stable income without taking local jobs.

Where is the cheapest but safest place to live in the world?

The cheapest, safest places to live often balance low cost of living with low crime, with popular options including Portugal, Malaysia, Vietnam, Mexico, and Ecuador, offering good value, healthcare, culture, or natural beauty, though safety and cost vary by region and personal preference. For those prioritizing ultra-low costs, parts of Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand) or Latin America (Mexico, Ecuador) excel, while countries like Portugal and the Czech Republic offer high safety with affordability.
 

What countries have the best healthcare?

Countries with top-ranked healthcare systems often include Taiwan, South Korea, Australia, Canada, and European nations like the Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, and Norway, consistently appearing across global indices for quality, access, and innovation, though rankings vary by report, with Taiwan leading in recent CEOWORLD data, while the U.S. lags in performance despite high spending. These systems excel through strong universal coverage, advanced infrastructure, skilled professionals, and a focus on preventive care, ensuring good outcomes and patient access. 

What country has no taxes at all?

Key Takeaways. Bermuda, Monaco, the Bahamas, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are four countries that don't have personal income taxes. U.S. citizens are obligated to file and pay U.S. income taxes even if they live in another country.

Does Italy tax US retirement income?

Tax residents pay taxes on worldwide income — which includes any US-based retirement, Social Security, or pension payments — while non-tax residents pay taxes only on Italian-sourced income.

Is it illegal to move to avoid taxes?

U.S. citizens therefore cannot avoid U.S. taxes simply by emigrating from the U.S. According to Forbes magazine some citizens choose to give up their United States citizenship rather than be subject to the U.S. tax system; but U.S. citizens who reside (or spend long periods of time) outside the U.S. may be able to ...

Can I keep my Medicare if I live overseas?

Yes, you can keep Medicare if you move abroad, but it generally won't cover care outside the U.S. (except rare emergencies in Canada/Mexico). It's usually best to keep premium-free Part A (Hospital Insurance) for future U.S. return, but keeping costly Part B (Medical Insurance) while living overseas permanently is often not worth the monthly premiums, though deferring it can lead to late enrollment penalties if you return later. 

Can I lose my US citizenship if I live abroad?

No, living in another country doesn't automatically make you lose your U.S. citizenship; you generally keep it unless you take specific actions like formally renouncing it or committing treason, though long absences can affect your ability to pass citizenship to children or potentially trigger denaturalization if you were naturalized fraudulently. The U.S. allows dual citizenship, so becoming a citizen of another country doesn't cause loss of U.S. citizenship unless you intend to give up your U.S. status. 

Can you still collect your Social Security if you move out of the United States?

Yes, most U.S. citizens can collect Social Security while living abroad, with payments often direct deposited to U.S. or international bank accounts, but non-citizens or those in certain restricted countries (like Cuba/North Korea) face different rules, and SSI benefits stop after 30 days. You need to inform the Social Security Administration (SSA) of your move and use their online tools to check country-specific rules for your eligibility, as conditions apply, especially for non-citizens or if you're on disability. 

How many people have $1,000,000 in retirement savings?

Data from the Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances, shows that only 4.7% of Americans have at least $1 million saved in retirement-specific accounts such as 401ks and IRAs. Just 1.8% have $2 million, and only 0.8% have saved $3 million or more.

What are the biggest retirement mistakes?

The biggest retirement mistakes involve poor planning (starting late, underestimating costs like healthcare/inflation, not having a budget) and bad financial decisions (claiming Social Security too early, taking big investment risks or being too conservative, cashing out accounts, having too much debt). Many also neglect the non-financial aspects, like adjusting lifestyle or planning for longevity, leading to running out of money or feeling unfulfilled. 

What is a realistic retirement income?

A common starting point is to estimate that you'll need about 70% to 80% of your pre-retirement income to maintain your standard of living in retirement. For example, if you earn $150,000 annually while working, you might need between $105,000 to $120,000 as a starting point in retirement.