Best Places To Retire In The World On Social Security

A Diverse Place Thats Easy To Get Around

Jeff Nelson

Mr. Joseph of Jamaican and African Cuisine a small restaurant off Interstate 40 serves his signature dish, which includes Oxtail, steamed cabbage, yellow rice and plantains.

Charles Blalark had his pick of places to retire after 37 years as a street supervisor for the town of Elgin, Illinois. But he returned to the place where he grew up: Jackson, Tennessee. At the end of the day, its still got that hometown feeling, the 72-year-old says. And the cost of living is fantastic.

Its status as a majority-minority city is a big draw for retirees looking for a diverse place to live. Jackson also prides itself on being gridlock free drivers can zip through town in 15 to 20 minutes. Even with the relaxed pace, Jackson was among the first cities in Tennessee to get ultrafast internet with download speeds of 1 gigabit per second.

Jackson has abundant parks, greenways and walking trails. And retirees will find plenty of opportunities for golf, fishing and hiking. There are numerous fitness centers, including Lift, an 84,000-square-foot facility with a medical clinic, three indoor pools and a healthy café. Jackson offers free concerts at the Amp, an outdoor amphitheater next to the farmers market. And retirees can see musicals and plays at the performing arts center that locals call The Ned.

Sheila Burke

Jeff Nelson

On this beautiful fall afternoon, The Jackson Amphitheater known as The Amp, showcases local performers for the residents.

Population

Peter Frank Edwards

The Best Places To Retire In Europe

Many places in Europe offer warm climates, great culture, a healthy lifestyle, and many attractions to explore. If you plan on retiring in Europe, there is no shortage of options for where to go.

The life of an expatriate in Europe is full of benefits. You can live comfortably and enjoy a high standard of living. In addition, travel anywhere within the continent thanks to easy transportation options.

The Cheapest Countries Where You Can Retire Well

After working hard and saving diligently for retirement, you may find that your nest egg wont take you far in the U.S., but there are other options. In fact, you may be able to stretch your dollar a lot further outside the country and those options might be safer and more comfortable than you think. To assist you in figuring out where you could consider retiring, SmartAsset compiled this list of the best countries where you can retire cheaply and peacefully. For professional guidance, consider working with a financial advisor who can help prepare future retirees financially for the big event.

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Monthly Expenses: $1200 $1658

We met up with a fellow vagabond traveler whom we first met in Mexico in 2017. This time, our paths crossed in Bohol, Philippines. It was fun to catch up over dinner and have a few drinks and laughs.

In the course of our conversation, our friend related that he continues to live and enjoy life on a monthly U.S. social security check of around $1,200. Thats all!

We remember some discussion of his tight budget during our first meeting years ago. At that time, we doubted he could sustain himself on such a small amount.

But since then, weve come to realize: an ongoing comfortable life in enjoyable foreign lands is attainable and sustainable even on a very small budget.

In fact, weve proven it!

Best places to retire in the world on social security

Pueblo Colo: A Desert Gem

Population: 158,000 State tax on Social Security: Yes State tax on pensions: Yes

Great eating: Known for the distinctive Mira Sol green chile peppers that grow here, the city is famous for itssloppers a cheeseburger slathered in green chili. The Sunset Inn is the reigning champ.

Catch a game: The ThunderWolves, Colorado State University-Pueblos Division II football team, has a fierce following. Tickets for seniors are $13 -.

Best freebie: Take in all three miles of the Pueblo Levee Mural Project which holds a Guinness Book of World Records distinction as being the worlds largest continuous painting.

This smaller desert community is winning attention as a bargain among Colorados sprawling cities. While skiers can be on world-class slopes in less than two hours, Pueblos climate is blissfully temperate. And the city offers unexpected delights, including HARP , archaeological treasures, an impressive library and expanding health care options. And people here are among the healthiest in the U.S., with a longer life expectancy, fewer deaths from heart disease and cancer, and a lower stress index.

HARP Riverwalk is one of Patricia Samsons favorite things about her native Pueblo. You can walk for several miles along the river, and its beautiful there are boats and ducks and restaurants and food vendors, with waterfalls and kids splashing, she says. Its really special.

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Where Should I Retire In France

-Paris

With hundreds of museums and galleries, one of the liveliest cafe cultures and some of the most revered cuisine in the world, space to lounge in parks and on riversides plus a superb and affordable public transportation system and other modern amenities, including top-notch health care, Paris has it all.

Youd be hard pressed to find more history, culture, and character per square meter anywhere else Paris is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, but all that luxe comes at a cost. France would never feature on a list of the worlds bargain destinations still, outside Paris, this country can be much more affordable than you might imagine

Why Should I Retire To The Dominican Republic

If your heart is set on the Caribbean but you thought you couldnt afford it, we have good news The Dominican Republic has everything you want at a price you cant say no to.

White-sand beaches, swaying palm trees, warm turquoise water, year-round sunshineyoull find these things in abundance here in the DR. This small nation boasts about 800 miles of coastline, all of it sandy and welcoming

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Best States To Retire

Retirement might be the end of your career, but it doesnt have to be the end of financial security or life satisfaction. Retirement generally coincides with the age at which we may receive Social Security or pension benefits. However, not everyone can retire when they want to. In fact, 27% of non-retired adults havent saved any money for retirement, though not necessarily through any fault of their own.

But in addition to when to retire, a good question to ask is where. Finding the best states to retire can be difficult without doing lots of research. Even in the most affordable areas of the U.S., most retirees cannot rely on Social Security or pension checks alone to cover all of their living expenses. Social Security benefits increase with local inflation, but they replace only about 40% of the average workers earnings.

If retirement is still a big question mark for you because of finances, consider relocating to a state that lets you keep more money in your pocket without requiring a drastic lifestyle change. To determine the best states to retire, WalletHub compared the 50 states across 47 key indicators of retirement-friendliness. Our analysis examines affordability, health-related factors and overall quality of life.

Note: With the exception of Total Score, all of the columns in the table above depict the relative rank of that state, where a rank of 1 represents the best conditions for that metric category.

Retirement Cities That Are Attractive And Affordable

Tara Moore / Getty Images

On the long list of lifestyle questions that retirement presents, Where do I want to live? is key. Things to think about include being near family and friends, access to good health care, and the climate you want. One of the top-ranked factors is a region’s cost of living.

The good news is there are pleasant places to live across the United States that you can afford even if you dont have a lot of money saved to retire. Whether you prefer rural, urban, year-round warmth, or a taste of all four seasons, a few cities are so affordable to live in that you might even be able to get by on just your Social Security benefits.

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Forbes Screened More Than 500 Locations In The Us For Everything From Climate Change Risk To Availability Of Doctors To Crime We Then Compared Those That Made The Cut For What They Offered In The Way Of Leisure Pursuitsfrom The Arts Learning And Fine Dining To Hiking Skiing Sailing And Golf

When they were ready to retire, Karen and David Griffiths sold their Spanish-style Los Angeles home and moved 700 miles north to a 134-year-old Eastlake Victorian in Ashland, Ore., with 11-foot ceilings, bay windows, a covered porch and views of the surrounding mountains. Karen, now 69, a neonatal intensive care nurse, and David, 70, an investment banker turned software CEO, turned screenwriter and producer, had long known they wanted to settle in a smaller, scenic locale. What drew them to Ashland was the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, which stages nine months a year of productions ranging from the Tempest to modern musicals and is located just 300 yards from their home. Thanks to its famed theater complex, the town of 22,000 also punches above its weight when it comes to art galleries and fine dining a priority for the Griffiths. It was a good fit for us, says David.

As it turns out, Ashland and the two other finalists in the Griffiths search, Santa Fe, N.M., and Boulder, Colo., all earned spots on Forbes new list of the 25 Best Places To Enjoy Your Retirement. There are several compelling reasons to make a long distance move in retirement: to be closer to family, to cut costs, to enjoy better weather. Another good one is to pursue your avocational passions. After all, Americans 65 years and older spend an average of about seven hours a day on leisure and sports, compared to the five or fewer hours for those of prime working age.

Where Should I Retire In Belize

-The Cayo District

The Cayo District is a beautiful, welcoming, and quirky little corner of the world. Located on the mainland in western Belize, Cayo is a frontier land of rivers and rain forest. Here, the burdens and concerns of the rest of the world feel far away and unimportant.

The region as long held a kind of mystique Its rich history dates back thousands of years. Maya relics are embedded throughout the vast natural landscape and are an intrinsic part of what is today a burgeoning bohemian community.

Over the past few years, this unique area has created an open-minded identity that celebrates healthy living, art, agriculture, environmental preservation, and diversity.

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What Makes Pennsylvania The Best Place To Retire In

Yes, Pennsylvania offers many advantages to retirees. At almost 45 thousand square miles, Pennsylvania is one of the largest states in the country. It is also home to the city of Lancaster, which U.S. News and World Report recently ranked as the second best area to retire in the U.S. Several other cities in Pennsylvania also made the list.

Approximately 15.4 percent of Pennsylvanias population is 65 years old or older and it is home to more than 870,000 veterans. The VA Medical Center in Lebanon County, PA, located near Cornwall Manor Retirement Community, is consistently ranked as one of the best veterans health care facilities in the country. Pennsylvania is also home to 249 retirement communities.

Cheapest Places To Retire

As you consider where you want to retire as a senior, the cost is most likely at the top of your lists of concerns. If you are on a budget you need to find a place to live that allows you all of the comforts and amenities of retirement, without breaking the bank. Check out the cheapest states, cities, and places around the world as you narrow down your options.

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Pick Where To Retire Abroad

Before you retire and decide to embrace expat life, do your research to find the place thats perfect for you. Costa Rica, Malaysia, Ecuador, Panama, and Mexico are all great options. From vibrant cities to tropical beaches, these five countries boast a low cost of living and affordable healthcare.

But, most importantly, they all encourage a laid-back lifestyle where youll be able to enjoy your retirement in relaxation.

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How To Get The Most From Your Social Security

Most people know very little about their Social Security benefitsand it means they miss out on money theyre owed by not claiming their maximum benefit.

In fact, Motley Fool estimates that if every U.S. citizen knew how to claim their maximum benefit, the government would have to pay an extra $10 billion in benefits every year. Thats a lot of money being left on the table because the Social Security system is so complex and hard to navigate.

So what do you do to make sure youre getting everything due to you in retirement from a lifetime of hard work? You learn from an expert.

Despite what you may think, thats not the folks sitting behind desks in the Social Security offices. Theyre good, hard-working people but theyre not expertsmerely employees. They dont know every trick to use and trap to avoid. With a system this complicated, how could they?

You need somebody whos spent over 10 years digging deep into the web of rules and regulations that makes up Social Security. Someone who has made it his mission to demystify this essential system and explain it in simple terms that you can easily understand and make use of.

That man is Steve Garfink and in the video below he explains how to get the best from your Social Security.

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The 10 Best Places To Retire With Only A Social Security Check

Most people rely on Social Security income to pay for their retirement expenses. Almost all retirees qualify for Social Security payments, and the majority of retirees receive at least half their income from Social Security, according to the Social Security Administration. For a third of retirees, Social Security is their only major source of income in retirement.

It isn’t easy to live on just a Social Security check. The average monthly Social Security payment was $1,341 in January 2016. A married couple where each member received an average Social Security check would have a retirement income of $32,184, which would be adjusted for inflation each year. “To be just depending on Social Security is really a very difficult situation to be in,” says Alicia Munnell, director of the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. But where you live plays a big role in how comfortable you will be. “The cost of living varies dramatically across the country,” Munnell says. “If you are in a low-cost area, you can make that benefit stretch much further than if you are trying to do it in Boston or Washington, D.C.”

Paying off your home also makes it much easier to live well on little more than a Social Security check. In all the places analyzed, retiree homeowners who were living without a mortgage paid significantly lower housing costs than those making mortgage payments or renting, which allows them to use Social Security payments for other essential bills.

Boise, Idaho

What Is The Retirement Age In Pa For State Employees

Pennsylvanias statewide State Employees Retirement System, or SERS, is one of the oldest and largest retirement plans for state employees in the country. When the state first hires an employee or when they get close to retirement age, they have lots of decisions to make about their retirement benefits, including at what age they wish to retire.

The SERS normal retirement age is 65, 60, 55 or 50 years of age, depending on what class of service you were in. A SERS employees class of service is determined by when they became a member and the type of work that they did. The annual pension for SERS members is calculated with a formula that includes a few variables about your service as a state employee, including:

• Class of service

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From Layoffs To A Laidback Affordable Retirement In Nicaragua

Dolly Lee was a single parent raising a daughter in the U.S. and working in logistics management. For close to two decades she endured layoff after layoffeach time she built up savings, the next layoff would deplete them.

In May 2016, I suffered another layoff and after being at home for a few weeks, I realized that I was now eligible to collect Social Security at a reduced rate, Dolly says. Her Social Security check would not be adequate to pay her bills and the private medical insurance shed need to purchase. So, I started looking into the best places to retire on a budget. The only affordable options in the U.S. were in cold areas of the country with small populations. This was not for me.

When Dolly looked overseas, she discovered the city of León in Nicaragua was for her and after some research she made it her home. Dolly says, So far it is the best move I have ever made. My budget with housekeeper, rent, utilities, groceries, internet, cable TV, phone, and food for three animals is about $1,000 a month.

I have a housekeeper and the amount I pay wont break anyones budget. I am able to pay all of my bills, eliminate my debt, and save as well as travel as much as I want. I live in a one-bedroom, fully furnished apartment in what is considered the best neighborhood in León, with hot water and air conditioning, for $450 monthly.

Nicaragua isnt the only place overseas where expats are finding their Social Security dollars stretch further.