Is It Time to Move? Discover Countries with Better Retirement Perks!
Retirement is a significant time in our lives. It represents the transition from a lifetime of hard work to a period of freedom and personal pursuits. Our golden years represent our chance to enjoy the little things in life and rediscover ourselves. Retirement is a unique chance to travel, try new things, find new hobbies, and take care of ourselves. It’s basically the only time we can say that we are totally free because our children are big and our responsibilities are not that big anymore.
Let’s not forget that in order to have a beautiful and peaceful retirement, we need to have some benefits and financial stability. In the United States, the landscape of retirement benefits is a mix of personal savings, social security benefits, and also investments. But what do you do when you don’t have any savings when you retire? How can you continue to live your life happily? Despite being one of the wealthiest nations in the world, the United States does not always offer the best retirement benefits compared to other countries.
Do You Want a Better Retirement?
Unfortunately, there are more and more retirees who are considering exploring their options globally, seeking destinations that provide affordable healthcare and a higher quality of life. The chance to experience a new culture and enjoy a totally different lifestyle sounds great. But… being forced to move out of your country just because it’s not taking care of its seniors, it’s not great at all!
Even though the ease of travel made the world more accessible, allowing all of us to consider all kinds of destinations, moving for a better life is not really fair after a life of dedication and hard work.
We don’t recommend you move out of our country if that is not what you wish to do, but we are kindly advising you to look for US destinations that might represent better options for your needs. For example, you can also read this article, found on our website: 8 Reasons to Retire in Arizona.
1. Canada
Canada is known as being a safe country with a very well-structured healthcare system. These two attributes make it an attractive destination for retirees looking for a secure and quality lifestyle.
Canada’s retirement system is structured around 3 important components: the Old Age Security (OAS) pension, the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), and personal retirement savings. The OAS is providing a monthly income for all the people aged 65 and older to help cover living expenses. On the other hand, the CPP is a social insurance program that ensures a steady stream of income for retirees.
One of the most significant advantages of retiring in Canada is access to its public healthcare system. The system provides universal coverage for healthcare services, ensuring that retirees don’t have to worry about high medical bills.
Last but not least, Canada is considered one of the countries with the highest quality of life. There are a lot of available activities for retirees, making the country ideal for those who want to make the best out of their golden years.
2. Australia
Australia’s retirement income system has 3 important parts. These are the Age Pension, superannuation, and voluntary savings. The Age Pension provides a basic income to eligible retirees. Superannuation is a compulsory savings program funded by employers, which helps individuals accumulate significant retirement savings over their work lives.
Australia has a strong healthcare system known as Medicare, which provides access to free medical services. Retirees can benefit from free hospital treatment and medical consultations. Basically, it ensures that the healthcare costs are zero or remain manageable.
With its excellent healthcare, low crime rates, and high levels of social and economic freedom, Australia offers a high quality of life for retirees. Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane are some of the best cities in Australia, known for their endless opportunities for relaxation.
3. New Zealand
New Zealand is popular for its stunning natural beauty. The country offers a peaceful environment for retirees. New Zealand’s high quality of life makes it a desirable destination for those seeking a fulfilling retirement.
When it comes to retirement benefits, New Zealand has a very strong system based on a universal pension available to all residents aged 65 and over, called New Zealand Superannuation (NZ Super). It provides a minimal income that helps retirees cover their basic expenses, ensuring their financial security.
Another great advantage for retirees living in New Zealand is that the public healthcare system offers high-quality medical services that are either free or heavily subsidized.
The country’s clean environment and low crime rates are also important aspects to consider. There is a very active outdoor lifestyle which is extremely healthy for all retirees. There are also a lot of community events and the atmosphere is great for those who want to rediscover themselves.
4. Norway
Norway is a popular country in Europe, known for its high quality of life and breathtaking landscapes. It’s also a very famous tourist destination. The country’s social welfare system and excellent healthcare make it an ideal place for retirement.
Norway’s retirement scheme includes a basic pension, an earnings-related supplementary pension, and various benefits to support retirees’ financial needs.
The Norwegian healthcare system is known for its high quality and accessibility. Retirees can benefit from universal coverage that includes medical treatments, hospital care, and prescription medications.
Cities like Oslo and Bergen offer a beautiful blend of cultural attractions and lots of community events.
5. Sweden
Sweden is known for its high standard of living and very strong social welfare system. The environment for retirees is very appealing in Sweden. There are a lot of available retirement benefits and the country also has excellent healthcare which makes it a top choice for those looking to retire abroad.
There are 3 main pillars at the base of Sweden’s retirement system: the income pension, the premium pension, and the guarantee pension. The income pension is an earnings-related benefit, while the premium pension is based on individual savings. The guarantee pension provides a basic income for retirees with low or no earnings-related pension.
Retirees can access a wide range of healthcare services in Sweden, including medical treatments and hospital care, without having to worry about significant out-of-pocket expenses.
Sweden is a top choice for a lot of people around the world. There are a lot of workers that choose to move to Sweden and one of the biggest and most important reasons is the high quality of life the country offers.
We know that choosing to retire abroad is not an easy decision. There are a lot of important aspects that should be taken into consideration. But… don’t forget that all you need is a little bit of courage! In case you are truly unhappy with your life as a retiree in the United States you can move abroad. Do it if that is what makes you happy!
Even though you are not really considering moving, we totally get you. The purpose of this article is not to convince you to move out of your country but to show you how other nations are living their lives. Who knows? Maybe our political leaders can also get inspired and make some significant changes for the vulnerable categories.
No matter how hard life gets. Don’t forget to enjoy the little things in life and make the best out of every moment! Are you retiring soon? Make sure you organize an unforgettable party for you and your friends! All the decorations you need can be found on Amazon and are just a click away. So, no matter the challenges be happy every day of your life.
