If you are looking to retire somewhere overseas, maybe even earlier than you expected to, and even enjoy a quality of life much better than you currently are living, Panama may be exactly what you are looking for.
Panama is one of the top destinations in the world to retire. In fact Panama topped the “International Living” retirement index for 6 years straight. All of the benefits to retiring to this country used to be kept a secret, until recently. “International Living” is no longer the only voice encouraging people to retire in Panama-other respected and well known publications such as “Harpers Bazaar”, “The Boston Globe”, “USA Today”, and the “New York Times” has recently published articles as to Panama’s many attributes.
Retire to Luxury and Comfort
Panama offers a very comfortable retirement solution, partly because Panama is much more developed than most tourists and visitors expect. Many people who go on Real Estate tours or attend conferences are taken back by how modern Panama is, with the clusters of skyscrapers that define Panama City’s skylines. Any of the amenities you could possibly wish for are readily available in Panama.
You will be able to enjoy the luxury and comforts of your current life and more because of Panama’s lower cost of living. When retiring in Panama, you will be able to enjoy all the benefits of taking a taxi all the way across town for a dollar or two, get a haircut for a couple of dollars, or you will be able to enjoy a dinner at one of the finest restaurants in Panama with a nice bottle of wine for a mere $30.
You may wonder what you will do to fill your days in Panama when you retire-rest assured, with all it’s beauty and opportunity, you will never find yourself bored.
Real Estate and Health Care
Along with the low cost of living in Panama, comes the affordability of real estate. Whether you are looking to live in a high-rise, a beautiful condo on the water, or even a house in the mountain regions, you will be able to find very reasonably priced real estate to suit your desires. Most people are able to enjoy the property that they have always dreamt of, but have never been able to afford.
The health care in Panama is inexpensive and modern as well. Good quality hospitals are available throughout the country. Many Panamanian doctors are US trained and hospital standards are at par with North America or Europe. An advantage to Panama is that both private health care insurance and prescription drugs are available-and much less expensive than their US equivalents because manufacturers price them for the market. Plus many drugs that require a prescription in the states are available over the counter in Panama.
Panama’s Unbeatable Retiree Program
A final benefit to retiring in Panama is Panama’s incredible Pensionado (retiree) program. Panama’s pensionado program was created in 1987. This program entices people to retire in Panama with the most special benefits available in the world. The only requirements are that you are at least 18 years of age and receive a pension income of $1000 or more from a government agency or a company. Under this program you will be entitled to:
- 50% off entertainment (examples- movies, theatre, concerts, and sporting events)
- 30% off bus, boat and train tickets
- 25% off airline tickets
- 50% off Hotel stays Mon-Thurs
- 30% off Hotel stays Fri-Sun
- 25% off restaurants
- 15% off hospital bills (with no insurance)
- 10% off prescription drugs
- 20% off medical consultations
- 15% off dental and eye ex ams
- 20% off professional and technical services
- 50% of closing costs for home loans.
- And more………
Pensionado’s also receive a one time exemption of the importation of household goods up to $20, 000 and will additionally enjoy an exemption every two years from the cost of duty for the importation of a car.
You can see that the government is trying to attract people to retire in Panama. You can’t ask for anything more or even hope to find better anywhere else in the world. Retiring to Panama far exceeds any opportunities found elsewhere.
Panama is a Modern and Convenient Destination
Many people favor Panama because it is so close to the United States. Moving to Panama, therefore, does not take you away from your family and friends to a great extent.
Panama encourages Expats and retirees to move by offering a simple VISA program, and different types of VISA’s such as: The tourist Pensioner VISA, the private income retiree VISA, the person of means VISA, the small business inventors VISA and the forestry investor VISA
If you are moving to Panama with a family, you will be pleased to know that Panama is great for people of all ages. There is a wealth of outdoor and cultural activities that will ensure that your children will never be bored. It will be, for your children an enriching childhood experience.
For more information on retiring in Panama, please visit our other site at Connectiontopanama.com