The best countries to retire in

Switzerland

This year, Switzerland is ahead of Norway for various reasons. As a high-income country, Switzerland offers unparalleled quality of life along with a high purchasing power and good living standards. In fact, Switzerland also ranked among the world's happiest countries where people enjoy clean air and a healthy environment. Switzerland also stands out in the fields of health and well-being thanks to its excellent healthcare system owed to significant investments. The effective and flexible Swiss retirement system, on the other hand, serves as a model. While the legal retirement age is 65 for men and 64 for women, many are opting for either early or postponed retirement. Retirees in Switzerland also have some benefits regarding tax burdens and bank loans.

Iceland

Iceland is for those who don't mind the Nordic cold. Coming up second, Iceland stands out in terms of material well-being, finance, and healthcare in spite of a slight drop when it comes to quality of life. Icelanders are a relatively young nation with an average age of 36 years. While the official retirement age is 67, many prefer to keep working till they reach 70. We could say that Icelanders owe their fitness for work to the efficient health care system and the excellent quality of life. It's also worth noting that the local social welfare system is based on residence, which makes foreign residents eligible for a pension. Other than that, Iceland is a country where one can enjoy quality air and a healthy environment thanks to its natural diversity and eco-friendliness. As a high-income country, Iceland performs well in the fields of inflation, public debt, tax burden, and interest rates.

Norway

A few years back, Norway completely redesigned its social welfare system to put off retirement age. Today, workers in Norway are allowed to work for a few more years if they wish to improve their old age pensions. Officially, the retirement age has been raised to 67 – which allows workers to benefit from both their salary and pension. Thus, Norway is definitely one of the best places to retire in. As one of the world's happiest countries with unparalleled quality of life, Norway offers many other benefits as well. For example, once you're over 67 years old, you are eligible for a 50% discount on public transportation. If you're looking for a vibrant social life, you will be delighted to know that Norway has not only a rich cultural heritage but also a great natural diversity with beautiful landscapes including fjords, forests, and lakes, not to mention the impressive midnight sun and the aurora borealis that attract visitors in large numbers every year.

Sweden

To foreign retirees, Sweden offers a range of benefits you have perhaps never imagined before. Retiring in one of the world's happiest and most peaceful countries can, therefore, be a once in a lifetime experience. With its breathtaking landscapes interspersed with mountains, rivers, lakes, forests, and beaches, Sweden has a healthy and pleasant environment while offering high living standards. For those seeking a vibrant social life, Gothenburg is not only one of the largest Swedish cities but also one of the world's most social cities thanks to its immense historical and cultural heritage. In regards to finances, the retirement system is open to all those who have lived and worked in the country. Following recent reforms, retirement age progressively went from 61 to 64 years. Workers can, therefore, decide when they wish to retire. In the meantime, they receive both their salary and pension. Moreover, retirees can choose the amount of pension they want to receive, ranging from 25% to 100%.

New Zealand

New Zealand comes with no surprise as one of the most attractive destinations for foreign retirees. Aside from its rich cultural heritage and biodiversity, New Zealand offers a range of benefits to retirees including specific tailor-made visas. The retired parent visa, for example, is meant for retirees having a child who is either a citizen or a resident of New Zealand and who is willing to sponsor them. Holders of this visa can live, work and study in New Zealand provided they earn an annual income of NZ$ 60,000, invest NZ$ 1 million for four years and have at least NZ$ 500,000 to support themselves during their stay. After these four years, they become eligible for permanent residency. Retirees aged over 66 and having NZ$ 750,000 to invest for two years, NZ$ 500,000 to support themselves and an annual income of NZ$ 60,000 can apply for a temporary retirement visa. New Zealand also provides alternative visas to retirees who are less than 65 years old. By moving to this happy country, you will thus enjoy a unique lifestyle with excellent quality of life and clean air and environment.

Australia

Like New Zealand, Australia is another top retirement haven thanks to its natural and cultural heritage and its pleasant climate all year round, along with the quality of life and high living standards. If you're looking for a change of scenery, Australia has all it takes for a peaceful and serene retirement overseas. People aged 55 and above with no dependents can apply for a retired investor visa provided they meet the health criteria and have sufficient income for a four-year period. Note that this visa is renewable. Holders of the retired investor visa who are over 60 receive a Senior card which makes them eligible for discounts on public transportation, leisure activities, as well as restaurants. Once they have settled in Australia, retirees are also eligible for the Australian Medicare which is world famous for its quality healthcare.