Top 5 Countries to Retire on Social Security - Cheap, Peaceful, Beautiful

This video discusses five countries most people can retire to on Social Security alone. These countries are cheap, peaceful and beautiful.

Starting with over 25 potential countries, we narrowed our list by focusing on essential criteria: each destination had to be peaceful, safe, and highly cost-effective. But we didn’t stop there. We also considered additional factors to ensure a high quality of life for retirees, including stunning landscapes, modern infrastructure comparable to U.S. standards, and established expatriate communities. Having an expat community is essential, as it typically indicates that any significant relocation issues, such as healthcare access and visa requirements, have been navigated by others before, making it easier for newcomers.

Each of these countries ranks well in key areas like the Global Peace Index, cost of living, and overall natural beauty. In fact, we anchored our selection with the top 50 most peaceful countries globally. The cost of living was also a top priority, and each country in our list allows retirees to live comfortably on less (some time FAR less) than two-thirds of the U.S. average. Additionally, these destinations provide scenic landscapes that appeal to outdoor enthusiasts, photographers, and nature lovers alike.

CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction
00:32 Non-negotiable country requirements
00:49 We had a problem
01:35 Why ex-Pats are important
03:01 Why "peaceful" should be the top criteria
03:44 We squeezed a penny until it screamed!
04:40 Known for warm climate and absolute beauty
06:00 Exotic culture and outstanding infrastructure
06:39 Largest number of Centenarians in the world
07:02 The most "peaceful" country with stunning beaches
07:50 Excellent buying power, wonderful beaches
09:09 Food, culture, cost, beauty

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Disclaimer: this video is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for legal, accounting, tax, or professional advice. If you have any specific questions about any legal, accounting, tax or other professional service matter you should consult the appropriate professional services provider.

[markt]

I have lived in Vietnam, The people there are so kind, friendly and helpful. The food is amazing and there is so many places to visit. I never felt unsafe even walking alone at night. The problem at this time is getting a long term visa.

[conniewood]

I’m sitting here in Tokyo right now and I have lived here for six years. Japan is a beautiful country with lovely people, but it should not be on this list. There isn’t a retiree visa like the non-lucrative visa in Spain. Also, the healthcare system is not what we’ve come to expect. For example, they can turn you away if you were having a heart attack if the hospital is, “full.” Multiple Americans have died because of this. Japanese people live a long time because they live a healthy lifestyle, not because the healthcare system intervenes. Also, you better plan to pay cash first and they can charge you extra for being a foreigner. Now, usually it doesn’t happen, but it can. Other Asian countries like Korea have earned money through medical tourism. Hospitals will even bill your insurance, or you pay a nominal fee upfront. They’ve made it easy for non-English speakers to access care so that they can earn money. Not so Japan. For the love of all that is holy, this is not the paradise that people think it is, and definitely not for people looking to retire.

[markwils]

Very interesting Video. I would agree on with Spain, Portugal, and Vietnam. However, I have been to 166 countries, and the one that I would have defiantly had in the top 5 would be Thailand.

[SueIsRetiringToFrance]

France, June 2025! Portugal tanked their NHR VISA in 2024, so it got axed from my list. But Southern France? Deal! I can transfer my Texas DL for a French one (18 states do this), I can live off my SSI and not have to touch my retirement for anything "daily" (I also have a cash fund), favorable tax treaty so no US-earned income gets taxed in France, and close enough to Portugal, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, and more to do all the travel I want/expect to do as a healthy 65 year old. And easy long-term VISA.

[howardwylie]

America is a great place to be from. I'm living in South East Asia and would never in live in the US again. Too many great places to visit and live. Travel the world and see what you are missing.

[zedad]

Irony: American retirees who were of draft age in the late 1960's and early 1970's retiring in Vietnam.

[WeAreItalyBound]

First of all…LOVE your channel name! Secondly, we’re going to retire in Italy at retirement. We’re so excited. If we were to stay in the states, I would have to work until 100 (well, maybe not THAT long), in Italy, I’ll be able to retire at 62 and enjoy the rest of the life I have left. We’ve even started our own channel to document everything. Thank you for sharing these places. 😊

[Steve-gxot]

Seriously= one of your Best Videos❤
!!! Thank you

[dr.michaellittle]

Nice initial list.
I would suggest your next iteration include income taxes and how tax treaties work.

As a US citizen, one is already required to pay US taxes. However, countries such as Spain have a much higher income tax rate and Spain also has a quite significant wealth tax that is paid annually on the total worldwide wealth (property, cash, retirement accounts, etc). And, I can tell you that, having lived in the Philippines for nearly 3 years, there is no income tax here that is due on foreign earned or passive income. And, if you had to file foreign income taxes in the countries you listed, one would have to pay local CPA and a translator to help ensure numbers are properly allocated onto the forms, etc.

This topic of income and wealth taxes is not only hugely important, but essentially all YouTube channels claiming to have analyzed US expat retirement options are totally silent on it.

[petek]

Greece.. i bought a condo there, in the Halkidiki area, right on the water and i love it there. Great private health care, awesome weather, fantastic Internet and very affordable.

[raywebb]

thanks for all the work you do, i enjoy all your videos.

[mancello]

One important aspect not really covered is how easy is it to get a long-term visa in many of these countries for some of these countries, the requirements are fairly steep and onerous. I would certainly put Thailand above Vietnam any day.

[sldu]

The primary criteria is "How's the Mexican food?"

Can't live too far from good Mexican food. I think I'll stay where I am.

[MichaelPrudhomme-ux]

This was really fun to watch. I'm thinking SE Asia for 2025, but appreciate the consideration of Spain and Portugal as they weren't even on my radar.

[samhavoc]

Spain is starting to have people harassing tourists, spraying them with water, and telling them to leave. Can't say I'd put that on my list.

[TheProtocol]

I traveled to Thailand a couple of times and thought I wanted to retire there, your video is giving me food for thought on that topic. Thank you..!

[ankhyo]

I'm planning on slow traveling SE Asia when I retire next year.

[bbarnhouse]

Agree about the aspect of Ex-Pat life. Spent a year doing volunteer work in a developing country. I was surprised by how social and diverse the ex-pat community was. People from all around the globe (USA, Brazil, Canada, Japan, France...) would gather on a regular basis. Maybe it was a way of taking a break or staying connected to the outside world while being immersed in a different country's culture.

[David-fvzg]

I would love to see the top 10 U.S. states to retire in under the same criteria.

[amyyates]

Great and timely video! We are looking at splitting our time between SE Asia (we were expats there for a year and loved it), Europe for my husband’s family and wherever our kids end up. Ten years to go!