A growing number of international citizens are contemplating the concept of taking early retirement, escaping the hectic monotony of the daily grind and retiring abroad in a low cost location to make the most of their retirement savings.

If you’d like to live overseas to escape the high costs of living associated with countries such as American and Britain for example, this is a guide to planning your retirement abroad so that you don’t run out of money, you don’t run out of friends and you never lose your adventurous spirit.

When contemplating retirement the majority of us seem pre-programmed to only consider the far reaching financial implications of never bringing in an income again! But the fact of the matter is that there are many more things to consider if planning on retiring abroad, not to mention the fact that many retirees overseas pick up odd jobs and part time positions advising and assisting other expatriates with their lives and businesses anyway!

However, as the financial implications of retirement are uppermost in our minds let’s tackle that subject first: –

By retiring overseas in a low cost country such as Mexico, North Cyprus or Belize for example, retirement money simply goes far further. Taxes on property and income are far lower in many overseas countries, property prices are amazingly affordable in plenty of emerging destinations, and the abundance and quality of fresh produce in many sun-blessed and affordable retreats means that day to day living costs are quite simply reduced.

There are considerations that those moving to less well developed but cheaper countries should bear in mind though – such as affording a decent level of health care cover – but in a country such as Northern Cyprus for example the cost of receiving quality medical treatment is so low that an insurance policy’s excess is usually higher than the amount having to be paid out anyway!

It’s important to research a preferred destination to discover the true cost of living there as well as the likely realities of daily life, and researching all options and alternatives is an absolute must for those planning an overseas retirement before making a firm commitment to retire abroad to any particular affordable haven.

Other than the financial implications there are a number of social considerations that those planning on retiring abroad should think long and hard about. By moving physically away from friends and family, homesickness and longing for familiarity can be intensified which can make it harder to settle in abroad. This feeling of displacement is entirely natural and will be experienced to a lesser or greater extent by all those who move abroad – but it is a feeling that can be overcome by making an effort to meet new friends and establish new bonds with people – which means that sociable types who find it easy to make friends and acquaintances will find it far easier to retire abroad.

Those with a tolerance for alternative cultures and values will also find it easier to settle in an unfamiliar country where things are quite simply ‘done differently’! Those who are resistant to change and who plan on living abroad in an expatriate community where they hope to be surrounded by familiarity will still have to encounter local people and accept local values, therefore such people should really think seriously about whether they can adapt to a totally new way of life. If they feel they cannot then they will be wasting precious resources moving abroad only to discover that they hate it and have to return home!

This brings me on to my final point – having a Plan B! Sometimes people retire abroad and for one reason or another they cannot settle and wish to move on or move ‘back home’, alternatively some unlucky people are forced to return home as a result of a change in circumstances. Therefore it is always important to have at least the rudimentary workings of an exit strategy or a plan B in mind. If possible squirrel away a little money so that if the worst comes to the worst you always have a way out or a way back home – even though statistics show that the majority of those who retire abroad in an affordable and sun kissed location love every minute of their life and never want to change it!

Let’s be completely honest. Everyone has their own dreams and expectations about retirement. Upon retirement, some folks plan to travel around the world while others simply plan to take excursions to their local beach. Whatever the retirement plan that you may have, being able to implement your goals takes a certain degree of financial security. The problem however is that financial security does not just happen but requires careful planning, commitment and yes, money.
To be a successful retiree, you must successfully transition yourself into retirement in order to meet your retirement objectives. In addition, you have to plan the amount of money you need and what you want to accomplish with your savings. After all, you’ll likely spend 35 years in retirement so you must start planning now. In this article, we will discuss 10 ways that you can successfully transition yourself into retirement. They are as follows:
1. Debt Reduction – Make sure that you do not carry your debts into retirement. Therefore, commit yourself to paying off as much of your debts as you possibly can. Eliminate car payments, credit card debts, personal loans, etc. Do what you have to do now to squash debt and make sure that you don’t obtain any new debts either.
2. Have a Nest Egg of Emergency Funds – Have enough liquid funds in hand to cover at least a few months of expenses, without eating into your investments. Be prepared for the unexpected expenses while you transition into retirement. After all, emergencies will certainly come up but if you have a certain amount of savings, you won’t have to worry about them.
3. Adequate Insurance Coverage – Make sure that you have adequate insurance to cover your life, health, homeowners’, and auto insurance policies. Reassess your insurance needs on a yearly basis to ensure that they suit your retirement needs. Be open to making changes as needed and check out your employer’s retirement coverage. Many of folks have been unpleasantly surprised to learn that their employers will no longer cover their medical expenses after they retire. So, if you find out now, you can take the necessary steps to protect yourself and your family.
4. Retirement Income Plan – To ensure that you don’t outlive your assets, develop a retirement income plan that includes your income and expenses. Keep track of your current expenses and cut back as needed.
5. Social Security Benefits – The rules for benefits are rather complex, so talk to a Social Security representative a year before you plan to retire. By doing this, you’ll be able to understand your benefits and how much you’re covered. In addition, you should apply for social security three months before you want to start collecting your benefits or three months before your 65th birthday.
6. Contribute to a Savings Plan – If your employer offers a tax-sheltered savings plan (such as a 401K), make sure that you contribute as much as you can. Not only will this substantially lower your taxes but will also make huge difference in your financial security due to the magic of compounded interest.
7. Review Wills and Trusts – Make sure that you have a valid will and/or trust. Not only will this protect your assets but will give you peace of mind.
8. Invest in IRA – By putting money in an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), you’ll cleverly delay paying taxes on investment earnings. If you invest $2,000 in IRA at 4% when you are 30, it will grow to $112,170 by the time you are 60. Now that’s a lot of moola for simply being smart!
9. Follow Basic Investment Principles – Just remember that how much you have for retirement depends on the type of investments you make now. Learn how to multiply your savings using mutual funds, stocks, bonds, etc. Consult a financial advisor for additional information.
10. Know About Medicare – Find out when it is appropriate to apply for Medicare and then apply. The Medicare application process and premiums may vary, depending on your age and whether or not you are receiving Social Security by being aware of the type of Medicare you may qualify, you’ll be ahead of the game. For instance, the two parts of Medicare are:
- Hospital insurance, which generally you do not pay. It helps to pay for hospital, hospice, and home health care.
- Medical insurance, which you pay. It helps pay for doctors, outpatient care, and other medical services.
Follow our suggested ten steps and you’ll not only improve your mental health but you’ll also transition yourself into a happy and financially secure retirement.

With an increasing number of people scheduled to begin retirement in the next few years, it is important to begin thinking about the subject. Even if you’re not near the age of retirement yet, it’s a good idea to begin thinking about how you plan to fund your retirement as soon as possible. The sooner you begin to plan for retirement the more you can be sure your retirement won’t be plagued by money issues.

So, how much money do you need for retirement? A lot of that answer, of course, depends on what plans you have for retirement. If you plan to travel, want to purchase a RV or you have similar specific plans, you will naturally need more money in order to fund your retirement. Above and beyond those expenses; however, it is important to think about your day to day essential needs.

For example, consider whether you will still owe any debt payments when you choose to retire. Of course, many of use would like to think that we’ll be out of debt by then but in reality you may still owe on a vehicle or credit card or even a house. Be sure to calculate those costs into the amount you need for retirement.

You’ll also need enough money to cover such costs as utilities, auto and home insurance, groceries and other miscellaneous expenses we all must pay on a month to month basis.

Healthcare will be an extremely important aspect of your retirement. Naturally, as we grow older our healthcare needs increase and that means spending more money. If you fail to fund your retirement in a sufficient manner, even one serious health problem could wipe out your retirement fund and you might find yourself facing the rest of your retirement with serious money problems. Just for your healthcare costs alone it’s a good idea to plan on budgeting at least $15,000 per year for every year of your retirement.

You also need to consider whether there will be expenses when you first retire that you’ll still need to cover such as support for aging parents (with life expectancy figures today, it’s definitely a possibility) as well as college education expenses for kids.

In addition, don’t forget miscellaneous costs which may pop up that we tend to forget. These costs include home repair costs, such as replacing a roof, purchasing another vehicle, etc.

After adding up all of the costs you’ll need to cover during retirement, don’t forget to take into consideration the effects of inflation. Figure on costs today rising an average of about 4% a year for every year you have left until retirement and then some.

Finally, don’t forget to give serious thought to how long you may need to fund your retirement. Quite surprisingly, many people tend to underestimate how long they’ll live and as a result run out of money. Don’t let that happen to you. The best rule of thumb is to assume you’ll live to at least age 90 and calculate for that.