Retirement: inside or outside the USA?

MooneyDriver78 said:
BTW, if you don’t plan on learning the language, why bother living in another country? You’ll just be an extended tourist.
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I'm getting by pretty well in Spanish these days, but I have to say, I don't dish on my friends who haven't learned much. The climate and cost of living are reasons enough to bother. To each their own.
 
LongRoadBob said:
I don’t think I would lose SS payments. At least as far as I understand it.
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As a US citizen, you can draw SS retirement from anywhere in the world (except a few sanction countries). A permanent resident or non-immigrant (e.g. a H1b spouse on H4) can only draw SS while they are in the US. I don't know whether there are specific rules for ex-citizens.
 
redtail said:
That's pretty much how I feel. This May, I will have 34 years with the agency (state gov't), in my electrical career and could retire in Oct at age 55, with full pension. According to my union contract (IBEW), with the agency, it's 30yrs and 55yrs old, or 30 years with reduced pension if under 55.

Although I am in a good position to retire this year, I like what I do and I'm still in good health (people say I look like I'm in my late 30's, early 40's:D). So, I have no reason to want to go yet. However, we just settled a new contract a little over a year ago, which will force me to retire before the middle of 2022, if I want to continue my current healthcare/medical-dental plan. I would be grandfathered in ("legacy plan"), with zero contributions from my pension benefits and with the current $5 co-pay for doctor appointments and Rx.

Things change quite a bit after that 2022 date with respect to plan employee contributions, Dr. office visits and Rx co-pays. It's their way of getting rid of the dinosaurs and hiring new ppl for less. Although I'm not technically 'forced' to retire, if I stay longer, I will pay more for healthcare when I do go.

As for where I'll end up...anywhere but NYC, lol. I'm originally from NJ and lived in the Poconos for a few years. Moved to NY and spent the last 15 miserable years in that NYC traffic, driving through Queens, Brooklyn and Manhattan to get to work! Sometimes over an hour and a half for what should take no more than 45 mins. Time to escape, lol.:D

I like NC and could see myself retiring there. All of my family is here in the US, which is one of the reasons (among others) I have no desire to settle in another country.
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You really won’t like NC. Hurricanes. Sweltering summers, bleak winters, huge potholes. VA is a much better place. You will like VA better
 
How is it that the poor and destitute can get care in the US, including medicine and surgery? This is a serious question, I don’t know how it works. I just know they can.

And when I get older, can I opt to not buy health insurance? Will there be any government penalties for not doing so (like needing liability insurance for a car)?
 
455 Bravo Uniform said:
How is it that the poor and destitute can get care in the US, including medicine and surgery? This is a serious question, I don’t know how it works. I just know they can.

And when I get older, can I opt to not buy health insurance? Will there be any government penalties for not doing so (like needing liability insurance for a car)?
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Try getting admitted to a hospital without giving them your full name, SSN, drivers license #, etc. If you have cash, they'll find it.
 
Morgan3820 said:
You really won’t like NC. Hurricanes. Sweltering summers, bleak winters, huge potholes. VA is a much better place. You will like VA better
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Lol.

I also heard people are extremely rude in NC and the taxes, the taxes are terrible.

Check out Florida. Florida is much better.
 
weilke said:
Lol.

I also heard people are extremely rude in NC and the taxes, the taxes are terrible.

Check out Florida. Florida is much better.
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Florida is much worse. Man eating mosquitoes. Rude Yankees everywhere. Terrible raffic.

Try North Dakota. Or New Jersey.
 
455 Bravo Uniform said:
How is it that the poor and destitute can get care in the US, including medicine and surgery? This is a serious question, I don’t know how it works. I just know they can.

And when I get older, can I opt to not buy health insurance? Will there be any government penalties for not doing so (like needing liability insurance for a car)?
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Often they don't, often they just die.

https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/st...s-annually-linked-to-lack-of-health-coverage/

Uninsured, working-age Americans have a 40% higher risk of death than those with insurance.

Note: this article is from 2009 before the ACA took effect. The general numbers have probably changed, but the fact that uninsured people die at a much higher rate than those with insurance has not. I choose a Pre-ACA article with the intent of answering the question with respected sources while trying to keep this from being a political comment.
 
MarkH said:
Often they don't, often they just die.

https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/st...s-annually-linked-to-lack-of-health-coverage/

Uninsured, working-age Americans have a 40% higher risk of death than those with insurance.

Note: this article is from 2009 before the ACA took effect. The general numbers have probably changed, but the fact that uninsured people die at a much higher rate than those with insurance has not. I choose a Pre-ACA article with the intent of answering the question with respected sources while trying to keep this from being a political comment.
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Thank you. I know of 4 people who are acquaintances who are below the poverty line, but I am not comfortable asking them how they can afford their medication, oxygen, and surgeries.
 
MooneyDriver78 said:
BTW, if you don’t plan on learning the language, why bother living in another country? You’ll just be an extended tourist.
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Extended tourism can be the point for many.

There are folks even in the USA that sell everything, buy a motorhome, and travel everywhere as a tourist. It's not unheard of, and for some it's the point...

Morgan3820 said:
You really won’t like NC. Hurricanes. Sweltering summers, bleak winters, huge potholes. VA is a much better place. You will like VA better
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DC area traffic and some of the traffic in Hampton Roads are every bit as bad as the NY Metro. Roads aren't any better. But it IS easier to get unsweet tea...
 
wsuffa said:
Extended tourism can be the point for many.

There are folks even in the USA that sell everything, buy a motorhome, and travel everywhere as a tourist. It's not unheard of, and for some it's the point...



DC area traffic and some of the traffic in Hampton Roads are every bit as bad as the NY Metro. Roads aren't any better. But it IS easier to get unsweet tea...
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You’re right. If you don’t like sweet tea, then maybe the south is not for you. And don’t forget the mountains of South Carolina and Virginia.

But Georgia is worth you checking out. Simmons Island. And South Carolina is probably a good fit too. Murreles Inlet is really nice.
 
455 Bravo Uniform said:
Thank you. I know of 4 people who are acquaintances who are below the poverty line, but I am not comfortable asking them how they can afford their medication, oxygen, and surgeries.
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Medicaid for anyone below the poverty line. The biggest problem is it’s really only available in larger cities. I knew a guy on it, it had to travel 150 miles to Miami to find a surgeon that would take it. I believe all the teaching hospitals take it, the have ample supply of inexpensive doctors (residents) who need to practice on someone.
 
MarkH said:
Uninsured, working-age Americans have a 40% higher risk of death than those with insurance.
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The cause and effect relationship there would be interesting. If you're of working age, but are in bad health, you may not have a job. If you don't have a job, you may not have insurance. If you die, is it because you don't have insurance or because you have fundamental health issues?
 
My parents considered Honduras, specifically Roatan for a while. Recently they just spent a few weeks in the Naples area to see how they liked it.
 
AlleyCat67 said:
We’re planning to move to Spain for a three month ‘trial’. If we like it then we apply for their non lucrative visa. Love the scenery & lifestyle, although visiting as a tourist is very different from living there for sure. But at least health care is affordable. We’re looking especially at San Sebastián and the northern coast as a target.

If we stay in the US it will be New England or California, based on family ties and cultural preference. I own a couple of properties in CA but not sure I can deal with the earthquake- fire - drought drama.
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Lol that’s funny, my wife is from San Sebastián and we go there pretty much every summer. This is our retirement destination as well, or at least winters. Love the area and food.
 
Pugs said:
That in itself is a reason to retire! We're leaving MD when we retire in 3 years and top 3 reasons. Traffic - Taxes - Out of control gerrymandering
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Agreed. Heck, I forgot to mention how much more expensive everything is...(housing, gas, insurance, etc) in NY compared to NJ (just across the river), PA and other locations.
 
Morgan3820 said:
You really won’t like NC. Hurricanes. Sweltering summers, bleak winters, huge potholes. VA is a much better place. You will like VA better
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Admittedly, I've only visited roughly a half dozen times, all during decent weather. I figure it can't be much worse than what I'm used to in NJ and NY where I've lived most of my life. But thanks, I'll have to do my research.
 
My brother and his wife moved permanently to Costa Rica some years back. Where they are (middle of the country) it rains A LOT and BLOWS A LOT. Some other expats live close-by but emergency medical care is a big problem and they are not near any decent sized town so shopping is an issue. Roads are poor, howler monkeys are LOUD, snakes are abundant although cost of living is low. They no longer have to leave the country and re-enter which was a bother for a while. They bought a large spread with caretaker and separate house for a good price. But they need 4 wheel drive to get to their place. I visited once and that life is not for me. No airports within a half day drive!!
 
redtail said:
Agreed. Heck, I forgot to mention how much more expensive everything is...(housing, gas, insurance, etc) in NY compared to NJ (just across the river), PA and other locations.
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Gee, why is that?
 
I started my own business almost 20 years ago. I'm well into SS and medicare and definitely past "normal" retirement age. But I like my boss :rolleyes:, like the money and set my own hours. I have no plans to retire. I'm not even sure what that would mean. My wife and I just built a new house, I fly our C414 over 100 hours a year on interesting trips, fly over 100 hours more a year doing paid contract pilot work and fly yet another 100+ hours a year doing independent flight instruction. Georgia ain't perfect, but we like our new house, we have friends and family here, we have a good church here and we have one of the biggest airports in the world 40 miles away for when we feel the need to travel beyond the reasonable range of the 414. My wife and I have travelled all over the world both for business and pleasure. Although virtually all of those places have certain things going for them, there aren't any (IMHO) that offer the package that the USA does. So it may sound boring, but I'm not retiring; I'm not moving; I'm not looking for the greener on the other side.
 
MooneyDriver78 said:
Medicaid for anyone below the poverty line. The biggest problem is it’s really only available in larger cities. I knew a guy on it, it had to travel 150 miles to Miami to find a surgeon that would take it. I believe all the teaching hospitals take it, the have ample supply of inexpensive doctors (residents) who need to practice on someone.
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Yup, in many cases, the Medicaid reimbursement for the procedure doesn't cover the direct costs, much less the ancillary stuff like malpractice insurance and administrative expenses. It's one of the primary reasons private practices and hospitals limit the number of Medicare cases or eliminate them entirely. Secondary reason is usually that the people who are often on Medicaid have a lot of complications and (obviously) limited funds to treat the medical conditions. So, you end up seeing them a lot, which takes away time from seeing revenue-generating patients with private insurance.

Edit for nomenclature.
 
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SoonerAviator said:
Yup, in many cases, the Medicare reimbursement for the procedure doesn't cover the direct costs, much less the ancillary stuff like malpractice insurance and administrative expenses. It's one of the primary reasons private practices and hospitals limit the number of Medicare cases or eliminate them entirely. Secondary reason is usually that the people who are often on Medicare have a lot of complications and (obviously) limited funds to treat the medical conditions. So, you end up seeing them a lot, which takes away time from seeing revenue-generating patients with private insurance.
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Here's how it works:

 
SoonerAviator said:
Yup, in many cases, the Medicare reimbursement for the procedure doesn't cover the direct costs, much less the ancillary stuff like malpractice insurance and administrative expenses. It's one of the primary reasons private practices and hospitals limit the number of Medicare cases or eliminate them entirely. Secondary reason is usually that the people who are often on Medicare have a lot of complications and (obviously) limited funds to treat the medical conditions. So, you end up seeing them a lot, which takes away time from seeing revenue-generating patients with private insurance.
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I believe you are confusing medicare (health insurance for SSI eligible retirees) with Medicaid (health insurance for the poor).
 
redtail said:
Admittedly, I've only visited roughly a half dozen times, all during decent weather. I figure it can't be much worse than what I'm used to in NJ and NY where I've lived most of my life. But thanks, I'll have to do my research.
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Whoosh.....
 
weilke said:
I believe you are confusing medicare (health insurance for SSI eligible retirees) with Medicaid (health insurance for the poor).
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Correct, was referring to Medicaid, not Medicare; although there may not be much of a difference from the provider's view.
 
jordane93 said:
My parents considered Honduras, specifically Roatan for a while. Recently they just spent a few weeks in the Naples area to see how they liked it.
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Any idea why they didn’t do Roatan?

The local politicians are all Texans and Oprah has a twelve house compound. LOL.
 
SoonerAviator said:
Correct, was referring to Medicaid, not Medicare; although there may not be much of a difference from the provider's view.
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There is a substantial difference. Medicare is a substantial source of income for most medical providers and hospitals.
While outpatient primary care practices at times limit the number of new medicare patients, it is widely accepted as it covers most of the aged who consume the bulk of medical services. With the exception of some niche services like maxillofacial and plastic surgery, you will find a surgeon who accepts fee for service medicare at most hospitals.
The availability issue is significant for Medicaid and particularly Medicaid HMOs. These plans are administered by the states, and frequently go to the governor's cousins fraternity brother who promises the state to provide a robust network but doesn't have anyone signed up when he gets the contract. They then go around trying to sign up providers but usually run into a wall of 'get losts' once they go beyond community health centers and teaching hospital clinics. Some of the rates these HMOs offer are outright laughable, they don't even cover the cost to transcribe a report for the services rendered. That is where you tend to find the stories of someone having to travel to the other side of the state to find a urologist etc.
 
Arrow76R said:
My brother and his wife moved permanently to Costa Rica some years back. Where they are (middle of the country) it rains A LOT and BLOWS A LOT. Some other expats live close-by but emergency medical care is a big problem and they are not near any decent sized town so shopping is an issue. Roads are poor, howler monkeys are LOUD, snakes are abundant although cost of living is low. They no longer have to leave the country and re-enter which was a bother for a while. They bought a large spread with caretaker and separate house for a good price. But they need 4 wheel drive to get to their place. I visited once and that life is not for me. No airports within a half day drive!!
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We honeymooned in Costa Rica 20 years ago. It is a very beautiful country, at least the parts we saw. We stayed at two different resorts on the Pacific coast, and drove back and forth from San Jose to one of those. Very beautiful, but also very remote. I agree with you, I would not want to live there permanently.

One week at a time every few years would be enough for me. My plan is to have my permanent residence in the good ole USA until my dying breath.
 
redtail said:
Admittedly, I've only visited roughly a half dozen times, all during decent weather. I figure it can't be much worse than what I'm used to in NJ and NY where I've lived most of my life. But thanks, I'll have to do my research.
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Like I noted before Georgia has lots of good things to recommend as in very few hurricanes. Whereas NC gets them all of the time. SC is really nice too. Don’t forget the west coast of the country. Or Colorado.
 
I'm fortunate enough to be a dual citizen of the US and of Portugal. I'm seriously considering retiring over there. I might buy some property soon and rent it out until I'm ready to live there. If nothing else, I'll use it as a vacation rental and split my time between here and there.
 
Sluggo63 said:
I'm fortunate enough to be a dual citizen of the US and of Portugal. I'm seriously considering retiring over there. I might buy some property soon and rent it out until I'm ready to live there. If nothing else, I'll use it as a vacation rental and split my time between here and there.
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How can I get dual citizenship. Sounds nice. You can pick whichever country works best at the moment.
 
Morgan3820 said:
How can I get dual citizenship. Sounds nice. You can pick whichever country works best at the moment.
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Each country has it's own rules for who can be citizens and how it's determined. Most are either by birth (jus sanguinis) or by being born in a country (jus soli). They also have rules whether or not you have to renounce any other citizenships.

For Portugal, they let citizenship pass down one generation from parents who are born there. Since my father was born in Portugal, I was able to obtain Portuguese citizenship through jus sanguinis. There were a lot of hoops to jump through, but hopefully it'll be worth it. Even if I don't decide to live in Portugal, the EU citizenship makes getting residency in other EU countries pretty easy.
 
Bell206 said:
Or the proper wife in some cases.
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While the right spouse usually gives you right of residence in the country, most places will require you to live there for a few years before you can acquire citizenship.

Spain and Portugal have an interesting wrinkle. If you have sephardic jewish ancestry and you can trace your family history back to one of the names that was expelled during the inquisition (the real one, not the monty pythons one), you are eligible for a spanish passport:

http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consul...(English)/Nationality-for-Sephardic-Jews.aspx
 
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weilke said:
While the right spouse usually gives you right of residence in the country, most places will require you to live there for a few years before you can acquire citizenship.

Spain and Portugal have an interesting wrinkle. If you have sephardic jewish ancestry and you can trace your family history back to one of the names that was expelled during the inquisition (the real one, not the monty pythons one), you are eligible for a spanish passport:

http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/LOSANGELES/en/ServiciosConsulares/CSLA/Paginas/CSLA (English)/Nationality-for-Sephardic-Jews.aspx
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Yeah, the sephardic Jewish thing is very interesting. First, it's hard to prove and takes a lot of research, apparently. Also, Portuguese urban legend is that when the Moors (Moops) conquered the Iberian penninsula, all the Jews were given names that had to do with plants, trees, etc. There is a lot of Portuguese names that kind of follow that convention. Pereira (pear tree), Carvalho (oak tree), Oliveira (olive tree), etc. Scholars have debated whether or not that it's true, but the Portuguese do believe it. My mother's side was "Pereira," so who knows, maybe I have Jewish ancestory way back.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portuguese_name#The_question_of_Portuguese_Jewish_surnames
 
My wife and I currently have a beautiful beachfront home in Ensenada, Mexico, just an short drive South of the Border from San Diego.

We split our time between ENS and PHX right now. My job allows me to be whereever, whenever. My wife is fully retired (early).

I can see a time, in the future where our PHX presence reduces, but I've already got the living footprint in the USA reasonably small, as it is. Much smaller, and it becomes a PO Box. I'm not opposed to this in the future.

We really like ENS, and it's very friendly for USA people. We already have our Mexico Permanent Resident Visas.
 
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Thinking I'm staying right here. Like my neighbors, and the view isn't bad.
But North Montana is not for every one . Can't upload a picture of the view from my chair but it's lovely .
Check out on Face Book "Sweet Grass Hills - Sunrise to Sunset " It's a site I started that showcases the surrounding country side.
 
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