👴👵 Make Money Plans if You Want to Retire Abroad (AARP Article)

[SpringIsHereVA]

FROM THE ARTICLE: Retiring Abroad? Make Plans for Handling Your Money.

What older expats need to know about banking, taxes and more.

By Jon Marcus, AARP.

Reviewed by Sophia Titley and Lief Simon, Live and Invest Overseas.

Published January 31, 2025.

Like many people nearing retirement, Lisa Hughes is thinking about moving somewhere new. But her prospects are a little unconventional.

The 65-year-old widow is interested in retiring to Portugal, a popular destination for older Americans. But she’s also considering Romania, or possibly Albania, and has contacted expat groups in several countries.

https://www.aarp.org/money/retirement/retiring-abroad-money-plans/

[GailL1]

@SpringIsHereVA 

One thing the article points out: [from the article]

“If you do have Social Security payments sent to you abroad, the SSA will send you a questionnaire every two years in May or June (and every year once you reach age 90) to ensure you remain eligible for benefits. Take care to complete and return it promptly; you could lose some of all of your payments if you do not respond and report any changes in your living situation.”

VERY, VERY IMPORTANT !   I call this the government “I AM STILL ALIVE FORM”  and if you do not send it in promptly - your benefits will be stopped.  They supposedly send out the form but if you don’t get it by about July - it is your responsibility to get the form and file it.  So it is one of those things that you want to keep in some sort of permanent follow up.

The other thing you may have to decide is if you may ever want to come back to the states - if so, you may have to make a decision about keeping Medicare which means paying your Part B premiums and having a Part D plan because if you don’t and don’t have Employer Group Health Benefits in the other country, then if you try to pick up Medicare Part B and Part D when you come back to the states - you will be assessed a late enrollment penalty and if you have been gone for a good while, that penalty could be very substantial.  

[SpringIsHereVA]

[2/18/25] @GailL1 , I posted this article to share = have NO interest in leaving the USA.

But I am sure your info will help someone out there.