Why Retire in Panama
If you are thinking about retiring, you should put Panama City on your short list. No, not Panama City, Florida. I mean Panama City, Panama. The AARP’s magazine, Modern Maturity, ranks Panama as the #1 place in the Americas for retirement. Fortune and International Living placed Panama in their top five, and Conde Nast Traveler selected Panama as one of the six best places for a second home in the Americas. All based their findings on safety, cost of living, infrastructure attractions, beauty and climate.
The best part of retiring to Panama is not just that it’s great place to live, and inexpensive, but the government actually encourages foreign retirees to come live here! Qualifying for a retiree visa is easy. If you can prove a monthly income of $500, pass a basic health check, and pass a police background check, you’re eligible.
On top of that, the government offers what some call the best retiree benefit program in the world. Retirees, both Panamanian and expatriate, are entitled to 15-50% discounts on a variety of goods and services ranging from movies and concerts to domestic and international airline tickets to medical and dental services.
The U.S. Social Security system still pays retirement benefits, which count toward the earnings requirement, if you choose to live here. If you averaged yearly earnings of $9152, you are entitled to a $500 per month benefit at “full retirement age.” For the early benefit, at age 62, you would need $12,203. In reality, almost anyone drawing benefits meets the income qualification to retire here. With a little planning, you can live tax-free.
Healthcare is always a concern for retirees. The majority of local doctors and dentists were educated in the U.S. Both health insurance and health care are very inexpensive. The quality is excellent with the latest in diagnostic testing and services. Unfortunately, Medicare benefits do not cover local services. Just buy a small policy to cover that, but if you return to the States for treatment, Medicare coverage will apply.
While Panama has its own Caribbean culture, you will feel at home. Panama has always been an international business crossroads and has a welcoming attitude. Restaurants, entertainment and shopping accommodations are all first class. But if you get a little home sick, the States are only a short flight away via Tocumen International Airport.
A legacy of the U.S. involvement in the Canal is a modern American-style infrastructure. You can drink the water. Transportation and roads are reliable. Telecommunications and Internet systems are world class. Banking systems and ATMs are readily available, and the dollar is accepted as currency – no need to exchange.
Panama has a variety of climates. There are wonderful beaches, cosmopolitan Panama City, mountains, and lush tropical areas. You can find a suitable locale here. Choose a beachfront home or condo on the Pacific or Caribbean shore. The mountain areas offer perfect all-year-round spring weather. Foreigners who buy property enjoy all the same rights and protections as Panamanians.
I am sure you will think of “Panama City” and retirement in a new way from now on.
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