Before You Retire - Special Report-1

44 Things You Must
Know Before You Relocate, Retire, Or Invest Offshore

By Rebecca Tyre
[Type the author name] A publication of Live and Invest Overseas www.liveandinvestoverseas.com www.LiveandInvestOverseas.com By Rebecca Tyre
44 THINGS YOU MUST KNOW BEFORE YOU LIVE, RETIRE, OR INVEST OVERSEAS

By Rebecca Tyre
44 Things You Must Know Before You Relocate, Retire, Or Invest Offshore By Rebecca Tyre Published by Live and Invest Overseas Bayfront Tower, Suite 1007, Avenida Balboa, Panama City, Republic of Panama Publisher: Kathleen Peddicord Copyright 2009 Live and Invest Overseas. All rights reserved. No part of this report may be reproduced by any means without the express written consent of the publisher. The information contained herein is obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but its accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Any investments recommended in this publication should be made only after consulting with your investment advisor and only after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

2 Copyright 2009 Live and Invest Overseas| www.liveandinvestoverseas.com

By Rebecca Tyre
Table of Contents
1. Shopping For International Health Insurance ........................................................................................... 5 2. Shipping Your Belongings Across International Borders ........................................................................... 6 3. Bringing Your Pet With You ...................................................................................................................... 7 . 4. Worlds Most User Friendly Places To Obtain Permanent Residency ..................................................... 8 1. Panam ................................................................................................................................................. 8 2. Uruguay ................................................................................................................................................. 9 3. Belize ..................................................................................................................................................... 9 4. The Dominican Republic ....................................................................................................................... 9 5. Ecuador ............................................................................................................................................... 10 6. Malaysia .............................................................................................................................................. 10 5. Medical Care Overseas ............................................................................................................................ 10 6. U.S. Social Security In A Foreign Country ................................................................................................ 11 7. What You Need To Know About Medicare Before You Move Abroad .................................................. 11 8. Set Your Priorities ................................................................................................................................... 12 9. Its Not Easy ............................................................................................................................................. 12 10. The Internet Is Your Best Friend ........................................................................................................... 12 11. Rent First ............................................................................................................................................... 13 12. Love At First Sight Can Be Dangerous ................................................................................................... 13 13. No Country Is Perfect ............................................................................................................................ 13 14. No Country Is Like Your Home Country ................................................................................................ 14 15. Seek Tax Advice In The Country Where Youre Planning To Reside Before You Take Up Residence ... 14 16. Listen To Your Gut ................................................................................................................................. 14 17. Be Willing To Accept The Culture Of Your Chosen Country .................................................................. 15 18. Know The Local Laws ............................................................................................................................ 15 19. Learn The Local Lingo (At Least A Little) ............................................................................................... 15 20. If Youre Moving Overseas With A Significant Other ......................................................................... 16 21. Find Out How Your New Neighbors Will View You ............................................................................... 16 22. Dont Think Youre Going To Change Things In Your New Home ........................................................ 16 23. Staying In Touch Can Be Easy And Cheap ............................................................................................. 16 24. You Wont Easily Find A Job Overseas .................................................................................................. 17 3 Copyright 2009 Live and Invest Overseas| www.liveandinvestoverseas.com
By Rebecca Tyre
25. Understand Local Health Risks .............................................................................................................. 17 26. The Benefits Of A Second Passport ....................................................................................................... 17 27. How To Obtain Legal Second Citizenship .............................................................................................. 18 28. 6 Things You Must Consider Before Opening A Foreign Corporation .................................................. 19 29. How To Reduce Your Tax Burden 80% Or More Living Overseas ....................................................... 20 30. How To Live Tax-free ............................................................................................................................. 20 31. Assemble Important Documents To Take With You ............................................................................. 20 32. Double Check Expiration Dates ............................................................................................................. 21 33. Consider Registering With Your Embassy ............................................................................................. 21 34. Register For Absentee Voting ............................................................................................................... 21 35. Consider What To Do With Your Current Residence ............................................................................ 21 36. What About The Kids? .......................................................................................................................... 22 37. Assess Your Current Physical Condition (And Be Honest With Yourself) ............................................ 22 . 38. Can You Adjust To New Foods? ............................................................................................................ 23 39. Determine Why You Want To Live Overseas ........................................................................................ 23 40. Reconcile Yourself To Being A Foreigner .............................................................................................. 23 41. Understand How Youll Pay Your Bills ................................................................................................... 24 42. Prepare For Panic .................................................................................................................................. 24 43. Know How Youll Access Your Money ................................................................................................... 25 44. Choosing A Banking Jurisdiction ........................................................................................................... 25

By Rebecca Tyre 44 Things You Must Know Before You Relocate, Retire, Or Invest Offshore
By Rebecca Tyre
1. Shopping For International Health Insurance

Health care and health insurance are among the most important issues you must address as you prepare for a move to another country. Whats more, theyre highly personal issues. Some people we know choose to go without health insurance. That may sound crazy to you, but this can make sense, especially in a place like France, where world-class health care is more affordable than youd imagine. You have to decide: Do you want to arrange local health insurance? An international health insurance policy? Or do you want to go without insurance at all and pay your medical expenses as you go? The trouble is that the options are many. And, no, all international health insurance policies are not created equal. First, understand that your U.S. health insurance most likely will not cover you outside U.S. borders. And Medicare does not follow you overseas (unlike Social Securitymore on this below). Before committing to a policy, make sure you know exactly what it covers. If youre older than 74 or have a pre-existing medical condition, the truth is, you will have trouble finding coverage. Youll need the help of someone with experience shopping for special-case policies. Many expats find their best option is a legitimate catastrophic policy with a high deductible from an established insurance company. A catastrophic policy covers life and death situations. Most cover medical evacuation, as well. A catastrophic policy will not cover maternity care or other common medical care. Its main function is to cover you in case of an emergency. We say you want a legitimate catastrophic policy, because, once you begin looking, youll find many non-legitimate ones on offer. Heres the most important thing to know about international health insurance: Do not buy it over the Internet.

By Rebecca Tyre
In many cases, these Internet policies are not health insurance at all. If you go this route, you often end up paying for something that likely will not help you in case of an emergency. Internet policies may be cheap, but they are also often worthless. Many countries offer local medical insurance policies. These are usually less expensive than an international policy and can be a good option. However, local policies generally cover you only up to the age of 62 (this varies by country). International health insurance policies accept new clients up to the age of 74, and once you are insured, the coverage continues for the rest of your life. When considering an international policy, chose a company with a long track record. If you need to use your insurance one day, you want the company still to be around to provide it. An Essential Care policy with BUPA is often, in our opinion, the best choice. This is an international option that offers top-notch coverage for the best price. A 60-year old will pay US$1,911 per year, or US$159.25 per month. The Essential Care policy comes with a US$5,000 deductible with maximum policy coverage of US$1 million per year. Coverage includes hospital stays (including ICU), diagnostic services, such as X-rays and MRIs, cancer treatment, prescriptions following a hospital stay, air ambulance, and maternity care. When shopping your options, remember, the higher your deductible, the lower your premium.
2. Shipping Your Belongings Across International Borders

Unless youre moving to a foreign country for a fresh start, you are likely going to want to bring personal belongings with you, maybe even furniture and other things that will require special shipping. The good news is that international shipping today is a straightforward proposition, far more easily accomplished than it was even a decade ago. Most of your shipping research can be done on the Internet. Start here: www.intlmovers.com. Type in the details of what you would like to ship, the pick-up and destination locations, and, in a matter of a couple of days, you will receive quotes from international shipping companies interested in doing business with you. Two more tips: Invest in the insurance. Its cheap and worth it.

By Rebecca Tyre
Second, pay to have the shippers professionally pack your things. Dont think youll save a bit by doing the packing yourself. More than saving a little on the total cost, you want to be sure that your things arrive at their new destination in the same condition that they left their old one.
3. Bringing Your Pet With You

Before you decide to bring your pet with you to your new home overseas, make sure it is in both your best interest and that of the pet. If your furry friend is accustomed to a winter climate, for example, a move to the tropics may not be a great idea. Maybe talk over your planned move with your pets veterinarian. Once youre certain you want to bring your little friend with you, find the website of the embassy of your destination country. Most embassy websites detail the requirements for importing a pet to that country. For instance, to bring a cat or dog to Panama, you need all vaccination certificates, a health certificate from your vet, and another health certificate from an approved USDA veterinarian. Arrange for your pets arrival ahead of time with the Ministry of Health in Panama, which will require you to pay a fee of US$30 in advance. If you follow all the steps properly, your pet will not be quarantined upon arrival in the country. To consider another example, the process is much the same in the Philippines. You must show the vaccination certificate. If your pet is coming from a country that is not rabies-free, youll need an additional certificate to show that there have been no cases of rabies within a 20- kilometer radius of where youve been living with your pet for the past six months at least. At the airport, the quarantine personnel will inspect your pet. If your pet arrives without health or vaccination certificates, or is showing signs of disease, it will be quarantined or disposed of. In addition, in the Philippines, pets are subject to 50% duty, based on the original value of the animal, plus an additional 10% tax. Again, the particulars vary country by country. Follow the instructions on the relevant embassy website.

By Rebecca Tyre
4. Worlds Most User Friendly Places To Obtain Permanent Residency

Every countrys requirements for gaining permanent residency are different. Dont assume that you know whats required for permanent residency in Argentina, say, because youve researched the requirements for Uruguay. Below are guidelines for the most user-friendly places in the world to obtain foreign residency today:
1. Panam
Panama offers more than a dozen residency visa options. Most widely known and popular is the Pensionado (or retirement) Visa. To qualify, you need be only 18 years of age or older and to receive a pension (this includes Social Security, an Armed Forces pension, any other government pension, or a private company pension) of at least US$1,000 per month, plus US$250 per month for each dependant. Panamas next most affordable option is the Forestry Investor visa. Technically, you can qualify for this visa by investing as little as US$60,000 in a timber reforestation project of at least 20 hectares. However, in practice, the US$60,000 investment buys you a more complicated version of this visa. If you invest a little more (US$80,000), the process is easier and quicker. The best resource we know for arranging a Forestry Investor visa in Panama is United Nature, which is currently the only group in the country with turn-key US$80,000 visa packages available as of this writing. With this investment, you reside in Panama on renewable, one-year residency visas. For the US$60,000 investment, you must obtain six one-year visas; for the US$80,000 investment, youre required to renew your one-year visa for only three years. At the end of the six- or three- year period, you receive your permanent residency card. To obtain any visa in Panama, youll need a certificate of general health signed by a Panamanian doctor, a clean police record from your last country of residence, and six passport-sized photos. Youll also need to organize a series of potentially maddening visits to the Ministry of Immigration. Our strong recommendation is that you dont try to go this alone. Get help from an attorney experienced at helping foreigners choose from among Panamas many residency optionsand adept at managing the paperwork and red tape.

By Rebecca Tyre
We recommend Rainelda Mata-Kelly. Weve worked with Rainelda both professionally and personally for 10 years. She has helped hundreds of foreigners obtain permanent residency in Panama.
2. Uruguay
All thats required to obtain residency in Uruguay is a birth certificate (stamped by the Uruguayan consulate in your country of birth), a clean police record, and proof that you can support yourself. The minimum income requirement is US$6,000 per year. This income can be derived from a pension, a mutual fund, lease income from assets inside or outside of Uruguay, earned income, etc. After five years as a resident of Uruguay (three years if you are married; 12 to 18 months if you are a resident retiree), you can apply for Uruguayan citizenship and acquire a Uruguayan passport. Again, the best idea is to seek professional counsel. Our recommended attorney in Uruguay is Juan Fischer.
3. Belize
Belizes Qualified Retirement Residency (QRP) Program was created to make it as straightforward and as turn-key as possible for people from the United States, Canada, Europe, and the United Kingdom to obtain residency in this country. As long as you provide a clean police record, a medical certificate, and proof that you earn a pension or annuity of at least US$1,000 a month, you qualify for residency. Full details here.
4. The Dominican Republic

The first step in gaining permanent residency in the Dominican Republic is to obtain provisional residency. To qualify for provisional residency, you must pass a doctors exam, including blood and urine tests and a chest X-ray. The next step is to provide copies of your passport, certified copies of your birth certificate, and a clean police record from your last country of residence. You must then demonstrate that you are economically solvent. To do this, you deposit at least $500,000 Dominican Pesos (about US$14,026) in a Dominican Republic bank account, make a real estate purchase, or invest in a local business. Once you have held provisional residency for one year, you repeat the entire process and then are granted a two-year immigration card and a Dominican Republic identification card valid for six years.

By Rebecca Tyre
At the end of the six years, you can apply for citizenship.
5. Ecuador
To obtain residency in Ecuador, you must prove that you receive a pension from your home country of at least US$8,000 per year. You can also gain residency by investing at least US$15,000 in real estate. Once you have been approved for residency, you cannot leave Ecuador for more than six months in any 12-month period. If you do, you lose the visa.
6. Malaysia
The government of Malaysia is promoting a residency program called Malaysia My Second Home. The purpose is to allow foreigners to live in Malaysia on long-stay visas, up to 10 years. All applicants and their dependants must submit medical reports from a private hospital in Malaysia. Approved applicants must also possess valid medical insurance covering their stays in the country. Applicants under the age of 50 are required to open fixed-deposit accounts in Malaysia in the amount of RM300,000 (US$82,144). After the initial year, the participant must maintain an account balance of RM60,000 (US$16,421). Applicants over the age of 50 can choose either to open a fixed-deposit account in Malaysia of RM150,000 (US$41,000) or to show proof of a monthly offshore government pension of at least RM10,000 (US$2,733). In addition, applicants must also prove they have sufficient funds to maintain themselves for the duration of the 10-year visa. Basically, this means showing at least RM500,000 in the bank and a monthly income of RM10,000.
5. Medical Care Overseas

Again, one of the most important things to research about any country where youre thinking of living or retiring is the quality of local healthcare. It varies wildly country to country. Some countries, such as Malaysia and Panama, offer excellent healthcare in private hospitals. Some countries, such as the Dominican Republic, offer decent medical care in main cities but limited care in small towns. Many countries you may be considering offer universal healthcare for their citizens, but you probably would not want to rely on the government system. Government-run medical facilities can be counted on to stabilize an expat in an emergency situation, but for the best care you likely will want to be transferred to a private hospital.

By Rebecca Tyre
You need to research this question in the country where youre thinking of taking up residence. Private medical care is expensive in some countries, a bargain in others. It can make sense to purchase an international health insurance policy, and, indeed, some countries require foreign residents to carry international medical insurance. Some countries, including Panama, are emerging as medical tourism destinations. Foreigners are seeking them out for certain kinds of medical care and surgery, including cosmetic surgery, cosmetic dentistry, and even life-saving procedures. Often, doctors practicing in these countries studied in the United States or Europe. One issue concerning medical care overseas is that the biggest obstacle can be just getting to the hospital. In a city such as Panama City or Bangkok, where traffic is a big problem, it can take an hour for an ambulance to reach you. Add to that another hour to get to the hospital. Under these circumstances, its better not to rely on an ambulance for emergency transport to a hospital but to be driven to the hospital by a family member, a police officer, even a stranger.
6. U.S. Social Security In A Foreign Country

The U.S. government considers you to be outside the United States if you have not resided in the country for at least 30 days in a row and until you return and stay in the United States for at least 30 days in a row. If you are a U.S. citizen living outside the United States according to these parameters, you may receive your Social Security payments as long as you are eligible for them. Many U.S. citizens living abroad choose to have their Social Security payments made by direct deposit into a bank account in their foreign country of residence. This is typically the most efficient and reliable approach.
7. What You Need To Know About Medicare Before You Move Abroad
Medicare does not cover health services you receive outside the United States. As a U.S. citizen residing abroad, therefore, it may not be to your advantage to sign up and pay the premium for Medicare insurance.

By Rebecca Tyre
On the other hand, if you do return to the United States at some point and decide to sign up for Medicare, your premium will be 10% higher for each 12-month period you could have been enrolled but were not.
8. Set Your Priorities

Before you decide to make a move abroad, you must pin down what is most important for you. Cost of living? Expat social scene? Medical facilities? Culture? Weather? Proximity to your home country? Once you have identified the priorities for you and your family, you may determine that, in fact, a life abroad is not your cup of tea. Before you commit to a move to another country, read this first.
9. Its Not Easy

To move abroad, you have to be up for a challenge. No matter where you chose to relocate, youll have a transitionand maybe a difficult one, especially if you move to a country where you dont speak the local language. Not being able to communicate adds another level of frustration to an already frustrating experience. If you are moving to a country where you dont know anyone, one of your biggest challenges will be finding a social network.
10. The Internet Is Your Best Friend

To that end, the Internet is one of the best resources available to you, both for finding information about moving overseas and for making friends and contacts in the place where you eventually decide to settle. From lawyers to doctors, from shipping companies to veterinarians, and from apartment rentals to real estate agentsa long list of options is only a few google clicks away. Once you have targeted a destination for your move, join an Internet chat group geared toward expats there. The best place to start is: www.groups.yahoo.com. You can even strike up friendships before you arrive in your new home.

By Rebecca Tyre
Here are your best options for connecting with fellow expats in Panama, for example: The American Society of Panama (www.amsoc.org) Expats in Panama (www.expatsinpanama.com) The Navy League (www.navyleague-panama.org) The Canadian Association of Panama (www.canapan.org) Charity Expat Socials (www.charityexpatsocials.com)
11. Rent First

Heres one of the most important pieces of advice we can give you as you prepare for a move abroad: Rent first. No matter where you decide to moveand no matter how much time youve invested in selecting your new country of residencerent a house or an apartment before committing to a real estate purchase there. All your preparations, research, and planning dont guarantee that youre going to be happy in your new home. Hedge your bets at first by renting a place for six months to a year. This gives you a chance not only to try the country on for size, but also to familiarize yourself with the different living options. Maybe you think you want to be in the center of the city but, after a few months, realize that youd prefer to be a little outside town.or maybe in another town altogether.
12. Love At First Sight Can Be Dangerous

You dont want to base a life-changing move abroad on a fun vacation. Plan many visits before you commit to any country, including, if possible, an extended visit during the least agreeable time of year (the rainy season, the hurricane season, the winter season, etc.).
13. No Country Is Perfect

Every country has its wartstraffic, hurricanes, bugs. The truth is, Paradise does not exist. Its a question of what youre willing to put up with and what youre not willing to live without.

By Rebecca Tyre
Keep your expectations in line, and remember your sense of humor.
14. No Country Is Like Your Home Country

Whether you are from the United States, Canada, or Europe, we promise you that wherever you decide to move abroad will be different from wherever you came from. Some of the changes will be welcomeand some wont. Youll miss some comforts and conveniences of your home country. Youll find the laid-back approach to living and to business in many Latin and Caribbean countries frustrating, especially when youre trying to do something like open a bank account or get your household goods out of customs. You may have to pay your telephone bill in person. Banks may close every day at 1 p.m. Businesses, in general, may close for a few hours every afternoon for siesta. If these things sound like torture to youstay home.
15. Seek Tax Advice In The Country Where Youre Planning To Reside Before You Take Up Residence
Heres the key to dealing with your tax liabilities as an expatriate: Plan ahead. Some of the most appealing opportunities for mitigating your tax burden in another country can be taken off the table once you become physically resident there. Meet with a tax attorney in the country where youre moving well in advance of your move. If youre an American, you also need to meet with a tax attorney or advisor in the States. For, as an American, no matter where you reside, you never lose your tax obligation to Uncle Sam. You need, therefore, good advice on both sides of the equation to understand what taxes you must pay and what taxes you could be exempt from. The best international tax attorney weve found after more than two decades of looking is Chris Rusch.
16. Listen To Your Gut

Do your research, make your lists, even spreadsheet out the pluses and the minuses of every place youre considering for a move.

By Rebecca Tyre
Then get on a plane. A place can look perfect on paper. Then, within a few days (or even hours) of arriving in person, you realize that its just not for you. Maybe for reasons you cant pin down or articulate. A place will either feel rightor it wont. Pay attention to your gut.
17. Be Willing To Accept The Culture Of Your Chosen Country

No matter where you decide to move, remember that you are a guest there. Respect how things are done in your new home and adapt accordingly. No one wants to listen to someone whine, Thats not how we do it in the United States/Canada/Europe. The culture may feel strange and foreign at first, but isnt that part of the reason you made the move in the first place? For new experiences? Open yourself up to your new surroundings and your new neighbors, and, we promise you, you will have the time of your life.
18. Know The Local Laws

Some countries in the Middle East prohibit alcohol, while in other countries socializing and making friends revolves around alcohol. In some countries, including Panama, for example, it is illegal to talk on your cellular phone while driving. Getting to know what is and isnt allowed could save you time, trouble, and money.
19. Learn The Local Lingo (At Least A Little)

If you are planning a move to a country where English is not the common language, take language lessons in advance. English is widely spoken in some Latin, Caribbean, and European nations, but not in all. Regardless, youll never enjoy a full experience of a place unless you speak the local lingo, at least a little. You dont need to become bilingual. But an effort to learn key phrases will impress the locals and make your day-to-day life easier and more enjoyable.

By Rebecca Tyre
20. If Youre Moving Overseas With A Significant Other

Recognize the possibility that one of you will like your new home more than the other. Before committing to a move abroad, discuss this openly and honestly with your partner. What happens if one of you loves your new life and the other hates it? Do you both move home? Move on together to a different country? Separate? Its not unheard of for married couples to end up divorced after a move abroad. Again, your best defense against this is open discussion in advance.
21. Find Out How Your New Neighbors Will View You
Residents of some countries have negative attitudes toward U.S. citizens, Canadians, or Europeans. You probably want to avoid settling in a country where you will face scowls or snide comments. Speak with other foreign residents to find out how welcome they feel.
22. Dont Think Youre Going To Change Things In Your New Home
Respect the people and the culture of your adopted homeland. Accept the way things are done locally. Dont judge and dont try to effect change. No matter where you wander, your new neighbors have something to teach you. Thinking that youre going to change them, rather than learn from them, will lead only to frustration.
23. Staying In Touch Can Be Easy And Cheap

In some countries, reaching home can be as easy as making a call from your cell phone. In other places, you may have to rely on e-mail. Many countries offer VOIP technology, which is perhaps the best option if you want to be able to phone home frequently. Take a look at www.skype.com and www.itp4you.com. A host of companies offer long-distance phone cards. They vary in call quality and the price per minute.

By Rebecca Tyre
Something else to consider is a time difference between your home country and your new destination. Keeping in touch can be difficult if its 5 p.m. where you are and 4 a.m. where your friends and family live.
24. You Wont Easily Find A Job Overseas

If youre moving abroad with the intention of earning an income, research the possibilities for this in full in advance of making any commitment to a new place. You may find its not legal for foreigners to work in the country where youre thinking about movingmaybe its not legal for foreigners to work in certain industriesand, even if its legal, it wont be easy as a foreigner to find a job (legally) in any foreign country. In countries where you are prohibited from working, your best option is to start your own (best case, typically, Internet-based) business. Heres help.
25. Understand Local Health Risks

Ask your doctor before your move abroad if you should get any vaccinations before you go. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control is a great resource for information on disease concerns country by country. Take a look here: wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationList.aspx
26. The Benefits Of A Second Passport

Perhaps the main benefit of second citizenship and a second passport is flexibility in travel. Most countries require visas of passport-holders from various other countries. If you have two passports, you can travel to a broader list of countries visa-free. For example, U.S. citizens are required to have a visa to enter Brazil. That means sending your passport to a Brazilian consulate (and paying the fees). The process can take weeks. Meanwhile, you dont have your passport. EU citizens are not required to have a visa to enter Brazil. So, if youre an American with an Irish passport, you can avoid the Brazil visa process by traveling on your Irish papers. The flip side is that U.S. citizens arent required to have a visa prior to arriving in Mongolia, but most of the rest of the world is.

By Rebecca Tyre
Real estate ownership is another reason to acquire a second passport, although this is becoming less of an issue. A specific example is property ownership in Croatia, where foreigners can own real estate only if their country of citizenship allows Croatians to own real estate. Since individual states cant and dont hold treaties with Croatia (or any country), an American will be rejected when applying for title to a piece of Croatian property in is individual name. If you have a second passport, though, you to use your second country of citizenship for the Croatian title application. Another reason to have a second passport is security. Americans, Canadians, and other nationalities, depending on where you are traveling, can be targets for terrorists and face other security issues. If you are traveling to a country that doesnt care for one of the countries where you hold a passport, use your second passport to travel there.
27. How To Obtain Legal Second Citizenship

There are effectively three ways to obtain second citizenship: ancestry, long-term residency, and outright purchase. Gaining second citizenship through ancestry is harder all the time. Used to be, you could obtain Irish citizenship if one of your great-grandparents were born in Ireland. Today, you can obtain second citizenship in Ireland only if your parents were Irish (your grandparents and your great- grandparents Irish heritage no longer does you any good). Italy, Germany, and other countries have had similar paths to genealogical citizenship, but, again, the rules are tightening all the time. Long-term residency is the most realistic option for obtaining second citizenship. Legally residency in some countries for some period (usually five years) entitles you to apply for citizenship in that country. Some countries start the clock with permanent residency, as is the case in Panama. This effectively means that you must be a resident 8 to 10 years before you can apply for Panamanian citizenship, as it takes 3 to 5 years to obtain permanent residency status in this country. In Ireland, the requirement is 60 months legal residency in the country over the previous 9 years. In other words, you dont have to have five consecutive years of residency in Ireland to apply for citizenship. You can spend four years in Ireland, leave for four years, then return for one year, then apply.

By Rebecca Tyre
Two countries currently offer citizenship for sale: Dominica (not to be confused with the Dominican Republic) and St. Kitts (half of St. Kitts and Nevis). If you are in a hurry for a second citizenship and have the financial means, these are options.
28. 6 Things You Must Consider Before Opening A Foreign Corporation

1. Annual Filing Requirements and Fees You dont want to pay thousands of dollars a year for a corporation in one jurisdiction when a corporation from another country that costs only a few hundred dollars a year could serve the same function for you. 2. Taxes What are the tax rules in the jurisdiction where youre thinking of opening a corporation? Will you be required to pay taxes on income generated outside the country? If so, seek a different jurisdiction. 3. Annual Meeting Requirements Some countries require annual meetings and other corporate tasks that you probably dont want to be bogged down with. 4. Required Directors and Officers Some jurisdictions require as many as three directors for any corporation. This means youll need nominee directors (typically provided by your attorney), for which youll pay a fee every year, or friends or family you trust to serve as directors for you. 5. Nationality Requirements of Directors and Officers Some jurisdictions require that you have at least one national on your board of directors. 6. Opening a Corporate Bank Account Before you begin the process of opening a corporation in another country, check with a local bank to see what is required to open an account. You dont want to invest in the company only to find that you cant open a bank account to go along with it. The best jurisdiction in the world right now to open a foreign corporation is Panama. Its easy and affordable. Speak with our recommended attorney in Panama, Rainelda Mata- Kelly, for more information.

By Rebecca Tyre
29. How To Reduce Your Tax Burden 80% Or More Living Overseas
A U.S. citizen living outside the United States and earning wages for work done outside the United States qualifies for the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion. The exclusion for 2009 is US$87,600. That effectively means you pay no U.S. taxes on up to $87,600 of earned income. You still are required to pay taxes in the United States on other income, including income from dividends and interest. Furthermore, this exemption applies only to your U.S. tax obligation. You may still be liable for taxes in the country where the money was earned. International tax attorney and advisor Chris Rusch explains further here. And here.
30. How To Live Tax-free

If youre a U.S. citizen earning the foreign-earned-income-exclusion amount or less and living or working in a country where your income isnt taxedvoliayoure living tax-free. For example, a U.S. citizen living in Panama but earning his money from outside Panama, but not in the United States, would owe income taxes nowhere. This person would be eligible for the foreign earned income exclusion, meaning hed owe no taxes to Uncle Sam, and he wouldnt be taxed in Panama, where only money earned in the country is subject to income tax. Another example would be a German living in Malaysia and earning a living speaking at conferences outside Malaysia. He isnt taxed in Germany, as he doesnt live there, and he isnt taxed in Malaysia, as he doesnt work there. Taxes are one of the most complicated elements of a life abroad. Our best advice is to get good counsel. Chris Rusch is the most savvy international tax attorney we know.
31. Assemble Important Documents To Take With You

Before making the move to a new country, assemble all important documentation into a file that you take with you.

By Rebecca Tyre
Include: a copy of your will (which you should update to reflect any changes brought about by the move); copies of passports for you and all family members; copies of birth and marriage certificates; past medical records; details of vaccinations, what, when, and where; and copies of insurance and bank records. Many of these documents will be required to rent an apartment, to open a bank account, even to have your electricity connected.
32. Double Check Expiration Dates

Many countries wont allow you to enter unless your passport is valid for at least six months from your date of entry. If your expiry date is even close to the cut-off time, renew it. Make sure your credit cards and drivers license are valid for extended periods of time from the date of your move. You dont want to have to deal with renewing your drivers license long distance while still trying to settle yourself in your new home.
33. Consider Registering With Your Embassy

Registering with your home countrys consulate or embassy makes your presence and whereabouts known so you can be contacted easily in case of emergency.
34. Register For Absentee Voting

If you plan to be out of your home country during an election period and want still to be able to vote, look into the application process in advance of your move.
35. Consider What To Do With Your Current Residence

If you own real estate in your home country and plan to sell it before you move, research your local real estate market. It may take a lot longer to sell your property than you planned, especially in the current global climate. What will you do if you cant find a buyer? If you decide not to sell your home, you may want to arrange a long-term tenant or, at least, hire a property management company or arrange for a relative or a friend to look after it for you while you are gone.

By Rebecca Tyre
36. What About The Kids?

If you plan on moving abroad with children, their priorities become your priorities. That is to say, the most important issues become education and health care. Many countries all over the world offer excellent education choices at international schools. However, typically only in the big cities, meaning your destination options become limited when relocating abroad with children, unless youre interested in home schooling. Best choice for high school-level education is the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. More information here: www.ibo.org. Youll find that your child adapts to his new surroundings quicker than you do. Hell also learn the local lingo faster than you will. For more on relocating abroad with children, go here. And here.
37. Assess Your Current Physical Condition (And Be Honest With Yourself)
Living overseas can present physical challenges that you do not face at home. Crowded streets and buses are common in Caribbean and Latin countries, and the heat can be stifling. Some cities, especially in the undeveloped world, simply cannot accommodate people with physical disabilities. And living outside the major cities anywhere the world presents additional physical challenges and puts you farther away from quick medical care. For example, Panama City, though metropolitan and hip, would be a nightmare of a choice for someone with a walker or in a wheelchair. Few buildings are wheelchair-accessible, and the sidewalks are so crumbled that it can be difficult for an able-bodied person to get around on foot. Quito, Ecuador, for example, sits at 10,000 feet elevation. Not a good choice if you have a heart condition or asthma.

By Rebecca Tyre
38. Can You Adjust To New Foods?

Sure, you can find a McDonalds in just about every country in the world, but would you want to dine there every day? If the answer is no, familiarize yourself with the local cuisine and the availability of meats and produce, as well as specialty foods you might crave, before you commit to a move. If you will be living on a budget, you will be eating what the locals eat. If you dont like rice and beans, dont move to the Caribbean or Latin America. Not a meat and potatoes person? The United Kingdom is probably not the best choice. However, if you can be adventurous, living abroad is a great way to expand your culinary palate. If you have any special dietary requirements or allergies, on the other hand, maybe culinary adventure isnt what youre looking for.
39. Determine Why You Want To Live Overseas

If you are going through a difficult time in your life, a move abroad could be too much of a change and could create too much stress. If you are leaving your home country for negative reasons, you could well come to regret your decision to move. There are dozens of good reasons to think about living or retiring abroad. The key is to understand your reasons.
40. Reconcile Yourself To Being A Foreigner

Moving to another country, no matter how similar its culture may be to where youre moving from, you will be considered a foreigner. If your skin tone is different from that most common in your destination country, be prepared to be stared at. If your hair color is uncommon, people you pass on the street may reach out to try to touch it. If you dont mind being perceived as a foreigner, dont give these things a second thought. If you would feel more secure living near other people more like you (other expats, for example),

By Rebecca Tyre
seek out a place with an established expat community or perhaps a gated community geared toward foreigners.
41. Understand How Youll Pay Your Bills

Its easier than ever to live one place and pay bills in multiple other countries. Most banking these days can be done online. Set up online banking for your current accounts before you leave your home country. An alternative to paying bills through your bank online is sending a wire. This is costly, though (in some cases, wire fees can be more than the amount of money youre sending!), and can be complicated. Sometimes youll be required to go in person to your bank to arrange for the wire transfer. The most efficient way to transfer money across borders nowadays is PayPal (www.PayPal.com).
42. Prepare For Panic

What were you thinking? You must have taken leave of your senses. Paradise? This place is no paradise. This place is a nightmare. Take our word for it. No matter how much due diligence you've done...no matter how ready you are for the move...at some point, probably during your first year abroad, you'll wonder what in the world ever possessed you to think this leaving home thing was a good idea. Our best advice is to wait out the panic. It will pass. No place is going to check every one of your boxes. That's where Perpetual Retirement comes in. Move around with the seasons, for example...winter in the tropics...then springtime on the Continent...

By Rebecca Tyre
43. Know How Youll Access Your Money

You dont want to be stuck in a new country with no way of withdrawing cash. Fortunately, nowadays, thats not an issue in most of the world. ATMs are a global convenience. Still, speak with the bank that issued your debit card to find out what fees youll be charged for withdrawing money in another country. If the fees are prohibitive, speak with your bank representative to see if there is a more cost-effective option.
44. Choosing A Banking Jurisdiction

Choosing the right bank requires understanding what you need the account for. For an investment account, Europe is the best choice. Swiss banks are under fire and require high minimums, so they are no longer the best option. Austria has banking privacy written into its constitution and is considered to have very safe banks. Fees are high, though. That said, two banks in Europe worth considering are Jyske Bank out of Denmark and Valartis (formerly Anglo-Irish Austria) Bank in Austria. For an account for an offshore corporation, Caribbean and Panama banks make the most sense, all things considered, including fee structures. In the Caribbean, one downside is the slowness of the operations. Still, First Caribbean is worth consideration. Bottom line, however, we recommend Panama above all other options, specifically, right now, Multibank.

By Rebecca Tyre
The Six Best-Value Destinations for Living and Investing in the World Today
You Can Retire in Style Overseas and Live Better than You Do Now for as Little as $694 a Month
Live well -- including a maid, a gardener, a driver -- all on a Social Security budget Enjoy health insurance for $120 a month or less...or choose to retire to a place where medical care is free... Own your own home in the sun for as little as $120,000 and wake up each morning to the sound of the waves on the sand or the freshness of clean, mountain air

By Rebecca Tyre
Dear Reader, In the mornings, Judy Ahern sips a cup of tea, one hip perched on the rail of her open porch, and looks out over the turquoise waters, listening to the tide slosh in. Sometimes horses gallop by on the beach. Often she takes a quick swim. Always she's struck by how lucky she feels. And how alive. "We never imagined we'd be able to afford an island retreat -- let alone one right on a secluded beach," Judy says. "For years we'd check out the real estate when we were on vacation... we looked all over Hawaii and in other places on the water. But it was always too expensive. "Yet here we are today on this Caribbean island, pretty much full-time. We're enjoying the open-air house we had built -- and an incredible quality of life -- for a fraction of what it would cost us anywhere else nearby. "In the States, we couldn't afford it at all." Originally from California and in their 70s today, Judy was a teacher and actress. Her husband, Bill, is still in the airplane-parts business. Back in 2002, they traded in their expensive, traffic-clogged life for a quieter, more affordable one on a lush, mountainous island where sand crabs meander across the roads. You may never have even heard of this place (though it's only a two-hour flight from Houston)... Yet here on the island of Roatan, Judy and Bill have access to solid healthcare... a full dinner of fresh lobster with wine and dessert costs less than $30... they can get homemade cheesecake squares at the local bakery and fresh lettuce, fruits, and veggies at the organic farm... And in this place, $199,000 buys a two-bedroom, two-bath home with a private pool on nearly an acre of land, just a 60-second stroll to a mile-long private beach...

By Rebecca Tyre
With $135,000, you could own a luxury condo here with hardwood floors, high-end appliances, a community pool, panoramic vistas from your private deck... and be just five minutes by foot from the shops, restaurants, and groceries in town. "Moving here changed the way we experience life... for the better," Judy told me. "There's a freshness here. A quickening of the senses. "Instead of retreating someplace to retire, we've reached out toward new challenges. "I'm keeping busy as the director of a pre-school that serves underprivileged, working families. And I'm editor of our local island magazine, too. "Sure, living here isn't without its inconveniences. "But it's as if we're looking not at the end of our lives now... but at the beginning of another life altogether!"
"Retirement" doesn't have to be about difficult compromises. It isn't for Judy and Bill. And it doesn't have to be for you, either.
If you're intrigued by Judy and Bill's experience -- whether you're ready for retirement now or planning for the future -- I know you'll be excited about what I have to share with you. Because even though for millions of people "retirement" in the years to come is likely to mean cutting back on pleasures like dining out and on vacations... or, worse, demand downright frugal living... It doesn't have to mean that for you! No matter what the economy does back home, today you can retire overseas in style... live like a movie star on a school teacher's budget... and never outlive your nest egg... If, that is, you know where to go. Around the world are places where you can...

By Rebecca Tyre
Live comfortably in a modern, 2600-square-foot apartment with mountain views... on less than $15,000 a year... Enjoy health insurance for $120 a month or less...or choose to retire to a place where medical care is free... Retire in style and employ a maid, a gardener, or even a driver -- all on a Social Security budget... Own your own home in the sun for as little as $120,000... and wake up each morning to the sound of the waves on the sand... or the freshness of clean, mountain air... You see, in the world's best-value places, your dollars simply buy you more. So that you can actually live much better than you ever did at home -- for as little as $22 a day... ...and you'll never have to worry you might out-live your savings.
Retire overseas today and never outlive your nest egg...

Leonard Holden and his wife Jenna aren't independently wealthy. Not by a long shot. But they're confident they'll have more than enough to carry them comfortably through retirement, no matter what the economy does at home. Here's why... Leonard and Jenna used to spend about $8,000 a month living in Manhattan. At 49, when Leonard "retired," he took with him a pension of $1,800 a month. They could have stayed in New York. But it would have meant either some serious scaling back, living on savings, or -- more realistically -- taking another job. Only they were ready to stop working and start "living." And there was no way they could maintain the lifestyle they'd grown accustomed to on less than one-quarter of the income. So they looked for a place where that $1,800-a-month pension would stretch.

By Rebecca Tyre
And they found it in a safe, welcoming, warm-weather city in Ecuador, where they'd be among the community's wealthiest residents. There they could afford a 5,000-square-foot house, two cars, and a carefree -- even luxurious -- lifestyle that included a housekeeper, dinner out a few times a week, and the time and funds to travel and explore their new corner of the world. Leonard and Jenna are part of what is rapidly becoming a real "movement" among adventuresome (and pragmatic) folks. You might even call it a "Retirement Revolution." And it's something you can easily take advantage of, too. After all, do you really want to cut back or make do at this important stage in your life? Or are you ready for some peace of mind? To know you're set for life. To live not just comfortably... but even extravagantly... and do it on much less than you spend today? Five Good Reasons to Retire Overseas 1. Escape cold winters... and never pick up a snow shovel or scrape a windshield again. 2. Sidestep a recession at home and invest where the prospects for profit are strong. 3. Live better, healthier, and with less stress. 4. Grow your investments tax-free or tax-deferred. 5. Enjoy a Rolls-Royce lifestyle on a Dodge Dart budget... and never outlive your nest egg.
If you're ready to enrich your life in retirement... find new ways to spend your days... discover... explore... grow... Look overseas. You can't afford not to.
You know, maybe it doesn't bother you... but it sure bugs me that all you see in the papers these days are stories about war, politics, and economic catastrophe.

By Rebecca Tyre
To be fair, the U.S. is embroiled in Iraq and Afghanistan... in an election year... home prices are falling, the costs for food and fuel have jumped, credit is tight, the stock market is uncertain. (A recent AARP survey reports that one in four people aged 45-54 plans to delay retirement because of the economy.) But the thing is... what you don't get in the papers are reports about attractive alternatives overseas (in Europe, Asia, and Latin America) where people are friendly, crime is almost non-existent, the health care is excellent, and the prices for everything from homes to groceries to doctors' visits would make you think it's 1953 again. That's not really "breaking news," I suppose. But it IS the reality in the places around the world I'd like to show you. Places where you can take that dream you've always had about an open-air home right on the beach... or a hillside retreat tucked into a vineyard... or a cosmopolitan pied-a-terre in vibrant city... ...and you can make it your reality on as little as $1233 a month. (Slash that to $694 a month if you'll own your own home and won't have to pay rent.) No kidding. That's what this "Retirement Revolution" is all about... It's for forward-thinking souls like you who are looking for an alternative to what we traditionally think of as "retirement." It's for people who are ready to enrich their lives, to find new and interesting ways to spend their days... to discover, explore, grow... And to live well on a fraction of what it would cost at home.
I'd like to help you do exactly that. First though, let me introduce myself. My name is Kathleen Peddicord. For 23 years I ran a magazine devoted to living and investing abroad. I'm from Baltimore, Maryland originally. But for
Find out where to go now from an expert who's been right about the best-value places every one of the past 23 years

By Rebecca Tyre
the last decade, I've lived overseas with my husband and two children -- in Ireland, then Paris, and now Panama. I've traveled to more than 50 countries, invested in real estate in 17, established businesses in 7, and renovated properties in 6. And over the years, I've fostered a truly far-flung network of globally minded colleagues and friends -- people who, like me, are living, investing, and doing business in good-value destinations all around the world. So when a reporter at the New York Times or Money Magazine wants to write a story about the best international destinations for affordable retirement, they call me. I'm a contributor to ABC radio's Expat Show and I've been a guest on Good Morning America. When the AARP is looking for an authority on overseas retirement, I'm the person they talk to. I guess it's fair to say I'm an "expert" in where to retire overseas. And I seem to have a nose for the next, great, up-and-coming retirement hot spot. More than 20 years ago now, I was among the very first retirement advisors to recommend places like San Jose, Costa Rica... San Miguel de Allende, Mexico... and Ambergris Caye, Belize... That was well before the rest of the world caught on to those good-value, welcoming, warm-weather destinations. And while today those places are well-discovered -- and not nearly as affordable as they once where -- the idea of living well for less is just as appealing now as it ever was. Given the current economic climate... it might even be more appealing! Yet as word gets out about a place and it becomes more "mainstream," people go in greater and greater numbers. Demand increases for properties to rent and to own. And as the market heats up, so do prices. The best values eventually fade. But it's just like what happens in big cities around the world where neighborhoods get gentrified and prices rise...then the artists and young hipsters and, increasingly, retirees migrate toward new "frontier" neighborhoods... Well it's the same idea with retirement "frontiers" overseas. There's always

By Rebecca Tyre
some community ripe for discovery. Some hidden gem where you can enjoy an incredible quality of life for next to nothing. I make it my mission to know where those places are. And I've just collected my current favorite finds in a SPECIAL REPORT I'd like to send you -- absolutely free...
Get Kathleen Peddicord's top picks for the world's best-value destinations today... yours FREE
It's called Where to Go Overseas: The Six Best-Value Destinations for Living and Investing in the World Today (retail price: $29). In it you'll learn about the smartest places to focus your attention in 2009. Destinations where you can... Own your own vineyard -- five-acres of vines to go with your 2,500square-foot, three-bedroom home with a swimming pool -- all for just $100,000. And in a place where you can have a full-time housekeeper for $350 a month... or enjoy a gourmet meal with fine wines, coffee, and dessert for less than $12 a person... Live a chic "European" lifestyle in a cosmopolitan city where the wines are excellent... caf culture is alive-and-well... and in a stylish neighborhood filled with boutiques and restaurants you can own a small pied-a-terre for a mere $69,500... Enjoy clean, sapphire waters... sandy shores... and picturesque harbors dotted with yachts... This coastal enclave looks and feels like the Cote d'Azur, only you can live here for about half as much as it would cost you in the South of France... Relax with a gorgeous ocean sunset view in a place that's safe, affordable, charming, and tax-friendly. Here $250 a month will pay for a live-in maid... you can rent a three-bedroom home for $600... or own a luxury two-bedroom apartment overlooking a curved expanse of sand for just $86,500. (Plus farther along the coast, a new "hot spot" is just warming up... and you could buy the land to build your dream home on for as little as $.20 a square foot. Yes, that's 20 cents.) Invest for profit in a Latin American country not dependent on the U.S. economy. This nation is probably on your radar screen already -certain regions of it, anyway. But I've uncovered a pocket of opportunity nobody's talking about. What it means for you is that while

By Rebecca Tyre
in one popular mountain enclave land sells today for around $4 a square foot... in the nearby community I like (which is, arguably, prettier)... you can still own for less than $1 a square foot. Live like a prince on a poverty-wage pension in "the cultured pearl of the orient." For retirees on a fixed income, this retreat is one of the most affordable destinations in Asia today. In one corner I like, beautiful botanic gardens meet the lovely curves and bright colors of the colonial architecture. It has style. It's friendly. And dinner in a nice restaurant? Less than $10. Where to Go Overseas: The Six Best-Value Destinations for Living and Investing in the World Today is yours -- at no charge -- simply for taking a look at a brand new, and entirely unique, retirement-intelligence service called The Overseas Retirement Letter.
No sugar-coating. Just the facts. Delivered with a lifetime of perspective.

The Overseas Retirement Letter is not a glossy magazine. It's an intelligence service. A detailed, down-and-dirty, tell-it-like-it-is, get-there-first report from the real world about the best communities for good-value living and investing all over the planet. I don't sugar-coat any place. That sort of "it's the perfect paradise" language doesn't do you any favors if you're seriously thinking about moving and investing overseas. I know that. And so do you. No place is perfect. And in The Overseas Retirement Letter I won't tell you it is. But I will give you an honest, measured assessment of each destination we feature. And tell you not only what it has to recommend it. But what the drawbacks and potential pitfalls are, too. I've been in this business for more than two decades. I know the questions to ask. I know the risks you'll want to avoid. And I'll get them on your radar screen.

By Rebecca Tyre
That way you can decide for yourself whether a place is worth investigating firsthand... or not.
"Sophisticated and Thoughtful... and Therefore More Useful" "I have to say that you seem to dig deeper into the feel of a particular place and to do comparative analysis between alternative places. Your approach is more sophisticated and thoughtful and therefore more useful than that of other e-letters I've read covering these same subjects." -- John W., United States
After all, what's important to you isn't necessarily what's important to the next guy. Everybody's situation is different. Take me, for instance. I'm still young. In good health. And I've got a 9-yearold son. The accessibility and cost of long-term medical care isn't my top, personal priority when I consider overseas destinations for my own family. Right now I'm more concerned about where, in what language, and how well my little guy will be educated. Plus I want to be near an airport since I travel all the time... But that might not be what keeps you up at night... Maybe you're more worried about how close by, how sophisticated, and how affordable a doctor's care is... I can tell you about one place I like where many doctors are U.S.trained... prescriptions typically cost 50% what they do in the States... an overnight stay in a private hospital room will run you less than $40... and you can have your teeth cleaned for less than $30. Fullcoverage medical insurance? About $120 a year. Or maybe what you really dream about is being able to walk barefoot every day on the soft sand of a palm-lined beach...yet you still want to be an easy hop from home so you can get back for your grandchildren's birthdays. In one of my favorite Caribbean islands, the beaches are every bit as white and soft as those of the U.S. Virgin Islands or the Bahamas. But properties are a fraction the price. $89,000 will buy you a onebedroom apartment with a vast veranda in an exclusive complex lush

By Rebecca Tyre
with flowers, close to the beach. And from here you can fly direct to the States on discount carriers like Spirit Air and Jet Blue. Perhaps you'd prefer a place where there's spring-like weather year-round, a small and friendly community, and ample opportunity for you to put your life experience and your interests to good use locally... In one place I can think of that fits that bill... the weather is cool so you need no air conditioning. The land is lush with orchids. The hills rise to forests where clear rivers run and waterfalls tumble. And here you could buy a lot and build a tidy house for less than $150,000. Not Your Parents' Retirement This word "retirement" has nothing to do with checking out or taking it easy. Unless you want it to. In the places I'd like to introduce you to, sure, you could improve your golf swing or join a bridge club... you could spend your days lazing in a hammock beneath the banyan trees. And no one would think any less of you. But if you're not ready to take up a position on the sidelines of life, don't worry. That's not what I'm suggesting. The ideas of retirement I'm talking about work for the 30-yearold as well as anyone twice that age... or older. That's because it is easier today than ever before to live, travel, invest, and retire as best suits your personal agenda. The world is alive with opportunities for fun and for profit, no matter what your age. I'd like to steer you to the ones that make the most sense for you.
The good news is: There's a good-value community for everyone. It's just a matter of finding the right fit.
Your good-value escape exists. With The Overseas Retirement Letter I'll help you find it. Quickly and easily. It'll save you time, trouble, and money, too.

By Rebecca Tyre
(Just think about it: If you decided to traipse to every destination that could possibly make sense for you, you'd spend thousands of dollars a month in travel expenses alone. You'd be at it for years. And there's no telling if you'd get the straight story, either.) With The Overseas Retirement Letter I and my seasoned team of experts and expats will do all the important legwork for you. Every month, you'll get an honest and comprehensive assessment about a place worth retiring to today (or maybe investing in now and living in ten years from now) -- including both the pros and cons. You'll get proven recommendations for everything from health insurance to mortgages to keeping in touch from afar. And timely ideas about ways you can protect and grow your nest egg overseas.
Including real-world stories from folks who have found their own perfect haven... and retired in style on a budget overseas
I'll also bring you stories in The Overseas Retirement Letter directly from folks who have already done what you're thinking about doing. People who have traded an uncertain quality of life at home for a new, more affordable adventure overseas. People like Jay and Elsie Snyder, for instance. For 40 years, they owned a successful inn in rural Vermont, a sprawling, red, 1810 farmhouse with 18 guest rooms. They were ready to retire. But not to sit and do nothing. They wanted to work less. Enjoy more. Only they could see -- even with the sale of the inn -- that they wouldn't be able to sustain the comfortable lifestyle they'd always envisioned for themselves in retirement. They weren't looking for jet-set extravagance. But they did want the freedom to travel, to eat out, to relax, to not worry about health-care expenses bankrupting them.

By Rebecca Tyre
So they began to look beyond our borders... to places where they could "retire rich" on a middle-class budget. They landed in Granada, Nicaragua... a vibrant, colonial-era town with cobbled streets and colorful homes. (Not unlike those now well-discovered havens of San Miguel de Allende in Mexico or Antigua in Guatemala.) Now, here's where their story gets interesting. They could have simply bought a colonial-era villa and renovated it, just as other "retirees" from the States, Canada, Spain, France, and elsewhere have done. But instead, they bought an empty lot in the center of town and on it built a beautiful community of nine condominiums that fit in perfectly with the surroundings. They're selling them to other "overseas retirees" who, like them, are looking for a better lifestyle in a welcoming, good-value destination. In essence, Jay and Elsie are building their own mini-community of likeminded folks ready to trade recession-era skimping for the affordable comforts they can enjoy overseas. Already they've recouped their investment -- even though they have a handful of units still to sell. (Those will produce pure profit.) And today they divide their time as they like between the States and Nicaragua. When they're at their place in Granada, they have their choice of excellent restaurants -- Spanish, German, and Italian among them -- where the two can eat dinner, including wine and dessert, for $20 or less. See a first-run movie for $3. They can take care of their annual physicals with an Americantrained doctor for just $30 or have their teeth cleaned for just $17. When I asked Jay about whether they'd do it all over again, he told me: "It's been one of the most satisfying experiences of my life." He said... "I don't have a solution to the problems facing Americans right now. It's too frustrating to contemplate. I do feel, though, I've found an alternative that works for me and that could work for many, many others, as well.

By Rebecca Tyre
"It's tempting to continue living the way you've been living. It's easy... and it can be very frightening to think about creating a whole new life for yourself in a foreign place. "But that fear can keep us from acting on chances for fun, for adventure, and for possible profit. "All I can tell you now is that I'm thrilled... it has been one of the most satisfying experiences of my life." "Immediate Info... No Bull" "...just a thank you for the immediate info without all the bull." -- Tom F.
Nearly half a million people already receive their Social Security checks abroad. Now you can benefit from the secrets they've learned.
I include stories like Jay and Elsie's in The Overseas Retirement Letter for two reasons: 1) It's important to remember that real people like you -- school teachers, dentists, accountants, attorneys, consultants, office managers, doctors, sales reps, small business owners -- are already doing what you're thinking about. And doing it successfully. Because I promise you: You'll have family and friends who think you've lost your marbles. I know mine did! But the truth is: A whopping 441,000 people already receive their Social Security checks at an address abroad. And the real numbers of people living well and enjoying life overseas -- at least part of the year -- is likely much higher. (Some, like me, aren't of "retirement age." And others simply have their Social Security checks direct-deposited at home.) So I like stories like Jay and Elsie's because they can open your eyes to possibilities you might never have even thought about before. And the world is full of inspiring, life-improving, money-saving, and moneymaking possibilities. In The Overseas Retirement Letter, I'll bring them to you.

By Rebecca Tyre
2) Plus there's nothing more welcome when you're starting out in a new place than a little "been there, done that" advice. And that's exactly what The Overseas Retirement Letter delivers each month. It plugs you in to my vast network of contacts -- both the "experts" and the "regular folks" -- in the best-value destinations all over the world. So you'll have somebody you can email with a question... a contact who can spare you all kinds of frustration, wasted time, and unnecessary expense. In fact, that kind of on-the-ground intelligence is so invaluable, that I've created an entire volume to tell you the most important things you need to know before, during, and after a move. You'll find the advice in it useful whether you're looking for a full-time retirement haven... a refuge you can escape to a few weeks or months a year... a sanctuary you could invest in now and keep to use later in life... or a straightforward way to park some cash in a positive-trending market well outside the U.S....
101 Tips for Retiring Happy and Living Well Overseas

It's called Join the Retirement Revolution: 101 Tips for Retiring Happy and Living Well Overseas (retail price: $29). And when you agree to test-drive The Overseas Retirement Letter today, I'll send you this SECOND SPECIAL REPORT -- also FREE. In it you'll find... Your U.S. health insurance isn't likely to serve you overseas. But I'll give you seven reliable recommendations for international health insurance that won't break the bank. The cheapest, easiest, most reliable way to keep in touch with friends and family back home. And the two $10 investments that will ease this process considerably. Eleven thought-provoking guidelines to consider when you're choosing a new home...from what to think about your "gut feeling"... to the questions you'll want to ask about your visa and residency options...

By Rebecca Tyre
You may be covered already for international evacuation insurance... and not realize it. I'll tell you who to call to find out. This could save you hundreds, even thousands of dollars. Three reliable resources for finding helpful expatriates who already live in the places you're considering... folks who've said they're willing to answer your questions and share their own experiences and advice. Why it makes smart sense to keep a "virtual" address back at home (whether that's the U.S., Canada, or elsewhere) ...and how to get one. It's not complicated at all. In fact, you can arrange the whole thing with a five-minute phone call. What to do about insurance while you travel... and why you need to make sure you do it... before you leave home. Forget this and you could pay dearly. How to use your new home overseas to lighten your tax burden... A critical question to ask before you become a renter... neglect this and you could find yourself with a big bill you hadn't counted on. Two "live overseas" costs many people neglect to calculate. Save yourself the surprise invoice... and find out what they are. The most time-saving and cost-effective way to get cash when you're overseas. Why focusing on your assets -- and not your income -- can help provide you a sense of confidence and control as you start "anew" overseas. Find out the formula for doing it -- something you won't find anyplace else -- and get some instant peace of mind. No matter where in the world you settle, this one $21.60 expenditure can save you not only hundreds of dollars when you're on the ground... but days (if not weeks) worth of bureaucratic hassle. How to organize your belongings for a move. You'll be amazed at how the right pre-planning can make everything run like clockwork. A critical "box to check" before you enroll your child in a school overseas. Take this precaution, and your kids will be thanking you all the way to college! Many countries require health certification for your pet, even quarantine in some places. But there's a reliable resource that lays out

By Rebecca Tyre
for you which countries require what. Know the rules, and you'll be sure to have your pet home with you with the least amount of fuss. When it comes to buying real estate overseas, know this one simple key to having more bargaining power than the seller does... and you'll have the upper hand. It might look like a regular, first world bathroom to you (just like at home). But don't be shocked if one critical thing is missing. You won't know if you don't know to check. I'll tell you the two-second test... Plus 83 more real-world tips to save you time, money, and frustration overseas and ensure your transition abroad is smooth and enjoyable...
How You Can Retire on $694 per Month... Or Even Less In one excellent-value community I like in Latin America, the graceful curves and painted colonial facades give a prosperous, old world feel. You can eat out at fine restaurants.. enjoy the theater, orchestra, and plenty of festivals and celebrations. The population is about 400,000, which makes it big enough that you can find what you need, but small enough that you know how to get around and get things done. Here people know and remember you, which makes it easy to feel at home and part of the community. You don't need a car. Public transportation is great -- taxis are about $1.50. And rental cars are easily available when you're ready to explore the country off the beaten trail. The expat community is small, but large enough so that there's always someone you can get together with for company. Assuming you'll own your own apartment or home and won't have a monthly payment, $694 should cover your everyday expenses. Here's how: Rent HOA Property Taxes Car Costs Auto Insurance $0 $0 $21 $0 $0 . . Based on a large house in town . .

By Rebecca Tyre
Transportation Gas Electricity Telephone Internet Cable TV Household help once a week Food Entertainment Homeowner's Insurance TOTAL
$40 $3 $30 $20 $35 $25 $40 $240. $240 $0 $694
. Used for hot water and cooking . . . . Allow $200 if a full-time maid is required . Orchestra, theater, and cultural activities are usually free If you are in a house, I'd suggest insurance, about $54 monthly .
What if you'd rent? $450 a month will get you a new, modern, fifthfloor apartment of about 2600 square feet with views of the downtown and, in the distance, mountains. The building I'm thinking of has a doorman, groundskeepers, a huge personal storage room, and underground parking. But you could LIVE FOR LESS! You could rent a "local"-style apartment for about $100 per month. This would get you roughly 650 square feet in an older building. And that would still keep your cost-ofliving, including housing, to less than $800 a month.
A world of opportunity delivered directly to you...

Retiring overseas opens up a whole world of opportunity for you. A world full of excitement... meaning... interest... and adventure... A world where you can live like a movie star on a school teacher's budget... and take advantage of investment opportunities that just don't exist at home... In each issue of The Overseas Retirement Letter, you'll learn about extraordinary possibilities like...

By Rebecca Tyre
Ways you can cultivate a portable trade... and fund your new life overseas in a few hours a day from your beachfront deck... or the den in your mountaintop chalet... or the front verandah of your vineyard estate... "Opportunity Hot Spots" to watch around the world... where changes in infrastructure, or government incentives, or economic circumstances, or global trends are creating smart investment opportunities for the people who notice. I'm paying attention so you don't have to. And I'll make sure you know when the stars are aligned for early-in investors. Right now, for instance, I've got my eye on the northeastern coast of the Dominican Republic. Trump's got Cap Cana, in the east, in his sights. But I believe the north will boom on Cap Cana's coattails... and in The Overseas Retirement Letter I'll show you how you can position yourself for profit... Extraordinary communities for good-value living all over the planet... places you simply won't read about anywhere else. I have one in mind. It's a seaside town in Uruguay with a high-end, Bohemian feel to it. It's clean, well-maintained, safe. You can dine at local, waterfront seafood restaurants or choose Italian or sushi. You can even get high tea in the afternoon. The galleries and boutiques will satisfy the shopper in you. Yet for all its great attributes, you can still buy a home there for between $50,000 and $150,000... How much money you really need for an overseas retirement... and how to invest and spend along the way. You can go to Yahoo's finance site and others like it on the web, and they'll help you -- in a very generic way -- calculate things like "if x and if y... then this is how much money you'll have when you're 90." But I realize your questions about funding a retirement overseas aren't generic at all. So you'll find in The Overseas Retirement Letter a much more specific and personalized approach. We'll talk about preserving your financial health abroad... and about how to find and take best advantage of profit opportunities overseas that the folks

By Rebecca Tyre
back home just don't see.
"Interesting and Timely... Inside Knowledge" "I read each one and always pick up some interesting and timely piece of inside knowledge." -- Robert C., Spain
Try The Overseas Retirement Letter -- risk-free -- today and receive 4 Special Reports ($106 value), no charge
You'll find all that -- and much more -- every month in The Overseas Retirement Letter. You know, if you paid a financial advisor $1 a day ($365 over the course of a year) to get the kind of up-to-the-minute, on-the-ground advice and insider guidance you'll find in The Overseas Retirement Letter, that investment would be worth every penny... and then some. I mean, just think about it: $365 for somebody to show you where to go and how to structure your life so that you could have things like a home on a palm-lined beach with a full-time maid and cook, a gardener... enough leftover income to dine out and go to the movies... plenty on hand to spend on travel and extras. And the whole lifestyle yours -- free-and-clear -- on less than $20,000 a year... But you don't have to pay anywhere near $365 to receive a whole year's worth of exactly that kind of life-changing intelligence. Because right now you can get it in 12 monthly issues of The Overseas Retirement Letter -- for just $36 today (regular rate $76). You save $40 with this special introductory offer. And I'll also send you at no charge... SPECIAL REPORT # 1: Where to Go Overseas: The Six BestValue Destinations for Living and Investing in the World Today (retail price: $29). Yours free today. SPECIAL REPORT # 2: Join the Retirement Revolution: 101 Tips for Retiring Happy and Living Well Overseas (retail price: $29). Yours free today.

By Rebecca Tyre
Two years of The Overseas Retirement Letter at extra special savings

Sign on for 24 monthly issues of The Overseas Retirement Letter -that's two years worth of this invaluable money-saving, money-making, and lifestyle-enhancing intelligence service -- and you'll save even more. Today you can receive 24 issues for just $63 (regular rate $152). You save $89. And I'll send you at no charge... SPECIAL REPORT # 1: Where to Go Overseas: The Six BestValue Destinations for Living and Investing in the World Today (retail price: $29). Yours free today. SPECIAL REPORT # 2: Join the Retirement Revolution: 101 Tips for Retiring Happy and Living Well Overseas (retail price: $29). Yours free today. PLUS... SPECIAL REPORT # 3: No Experience Necessary: Six Lucrative (and Easy) Careers to Help Fund Your Life Overseas (retail price $29). Yours free today. The truth of the matter is that unless you're sponsored by and have a formal guarantee of employment from a local firm, you aren't going to "get a job" in a country where you don't hold a passport. But that doesn't mean you can't earn an income... and fund a lifestyle you'd only dare dream about at home. In this Special Report I'll show you... How to get paid to see the world... and turn an interest in meeting new people and exploring new places into paid-for travel all over the planet. You can easily cash in on your experiences in your new home overseas... and get paid to tell people about what you've discovered. (Just like I have for the last two decades...) Seven easy steps for turning snapshots of everything from your kids to a kitchen tablecloth into fast, fun, easy cash. With a digital camera (even a point-and-shoot will do), you can do this from anywhere in the world...

By Rebecca Tyre
A handful of countries, intent on both attracting tourists and encouraging small-businesses, offer amazing incentives for entrepreneurial folks willing to cater to visitors. I'll show you one easy way to cash in on giveaways like no income tax for ten years... or no real estate tax for 20. And don't worry: I'm not suggesting you open a dive shop or build a spa. This is something you can do right from home. And more easy, no-experience-necessary secrets to funding your dream life overseas...
Plus here's a FREE gift... just for ordering in the next seven days!
Because I know that if you're interested in living overseas, chances are you like to travel... I've created a fourth SPECIAL REPORT I'd like to send you... SPECIAL REPORT # 4: Travel Tricks for 2009: How to Travel Better but Pay Less (retail price $19). Yours free when you agree to take a risk-free look at The Overseas Retirement Letter within the next seven days. With airlines the world over trimming their flight schedules and increasing their surcharges, travel is becoming ever-more challenging. Long gone are the days of being pampered en route. In fact, I just read that one airline has taken potable water off its flights. Yikes. But travel doesn't have to be so grim. If you know the right strategies, you can still make your travel dollars stretch... and guarantee not just comfortable, but wonderfully rich travel experiences, no matter where in the world your heart takes you... How to choose a credit card that rewards you in airline miles... and whether or not it's worth your while to even have one. How to shave off half the cost of a plane ticket (maybe more)... avoid the security lines... and travel in real style (think: champagne served)... and no, I'm not suggesting you take the train... How to find five-star deals at three-star prices... with one quick Internet search... And lots more easy-to-do tips to transform the way you experience the world...

By Rebecca Tyre
Travel Tricks for 2009: How to Travel Better but Pay Less (retail price $19) is yours FREE when you agree to take a look at The Overseas Retirement Letter now, within the next seven days.
"I look forward to reading" "Keep up the great work... I honestly look forward to reading the succinct info you provide to potential expats..." -- Dan G., United States
You take absolutely no risk. Your investment is guaranteed three ways.

You risk nothing when you agree to take a look at The Overseas Retirement Letter today. Here's why... Guarantee No. 1: This retirement-intelligence service is guaranteed to be the most straight-shooting, tell-it-like-it-is, get-there-first report available about the best-value communities on the planet. Sugar-coated Paradisepushing doesn't do you any favors. So I don't do it. No place is perfect. And I won't tell you it is. But I've been at this for 22 years. And I will give you an honest, measured, educated assessment of each destination we feature. So you can decide if it's right for you. Guarantee No. 2: I'll bring to you a splendid array of options all around the world. Beachfront retreats... cool-weather mountain hideaways... charming European enclaves... laid-back Latin American havens... vineyard sanctuaries... and more. But if you don't feel The Overseas Retirement Letter delivers the kind of make-your-nest-egg-last-forever opportunities you're looking for, you can cancel at any time... and I'll promptly reimburse you for any issues remaining in your subscription. No questions asked. Guarantee No. 3: Should you decide the opportunities you learn about in The Overseas Retirement Letter aren't for you, all the SPECIAL REPORTS are yours to keep. My way of saying thank you for giving The Overseas Retirement Letter a try.

By Rebecca Tyre
That's how certain I am that you'll love it. You can't lose. And all the risk is mine. "The best time we've ever had in our lives" "We're having the best time we've ever had in our lives. Bill and I are thrilled with our purchase of oceanfront... Gosh, what a place... people who are immediate friends, ever-present adventure, beauty around every turn, and a feeling of being in a place few are privileged to find." -- Judy and Bill Ahern, Retired Overseas
Why wait?
You know, I think a lot of folks with retirement on the horizon are feeling paralyzed. Maybe you are, too. It's understandable. You're likely to live longer. Spend way more on healthcare than you could have ever imagined. And, in today's economy, earn far less on your investments than you probably hoped for. So what do you do? Lots of folks will simply sit numbly by and hope for the best. But you have way more control of your future than you may think. Simply look beyond your borders. I'll show you where. Because you'll find in the world's best-value locales the promise of good, healthy living... a quality of life twice as good as what you're used to, for half the price... and days filled with excitement, interest, and adventure... If you're ready to join the new "Retirement Revolution" and ensure you never outlive your nest egg... I'd like to show you how in The Overseas Retirement Letter. Go here now to get your deep discount and Special Reports, free: Sincerely,
Kathleen Peddicord Publisher, The Overseas Retirement Letter


By Rebecca Tyre
"No matter how busy I am, I find time for your newsletter" "In a horribly busy world and corporate pressures I find that your newsletter is most informative and a wealth of very interesting and thought provoking information of which I hope to make use of in the near future. No matter how busy I am I find the time to make sure to read your newsletter... keep up the great work!" -- John M.
P.S. There's one more benefit that comes with The Overseas Retirement Letter that I haven't mentioned yet. When you become a reader, I'll also send you -- at no charge -- my daily Overseas Opportunity Letter. Dispatched by email, this is where I'll give you alerts, talk about my latest discoveries, pass along intelligence from my contacts around the world, and bring you the up-to-the-minute insights you need to take advantage of opportunities fast. Some things just can't wait for the next month's issue to roll around. And this gives me a way to pass those opportunities along to you in real time. As I say, there's no charge for this. I'll send it automatically, with my compliments, when you subscribe to The Overseas Retirement Letter today.
P.P.S. In The Overseas Retirement Letter you'll discover what nearly half a million retirees overseas already know: In the right destinations, the values are great. The lifestyle is extraordinary. And you can stop worrying about how you'll pay for life... and start enjoying it, instead. For my top picks of the best-value places to live and invest overseas today - and a deep discount -- go here now...

Before You Retire - Special Report-1

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44 Things You Must

Know Before You Relocate, Retire, Or Invest Offshore

2 Copyright 2009 Live and Invest Overseas| www.liveandinvestoverseas.com

4 Copyright 2009 Live and Invest Overseas| www.liveandinvestoverseas.com

1. Shopping For International Health Insurance

5 Copyright 2009 Live and Invest Overseas| www.liveandinvestoverseas.com

2. Shipping Your Belongings Across International Borders

6 Copyright 2009 Live and Invest Overseas| www.liveandinvestoverseas.com

3. Bringing Your Pet With You

7 Copyright 2009 Live and Invest Overseas| www.liveandinvestoverseas.com

4. Worlds Most User Friendly Places To Obtain Permanent Residency

8 Copyright 2009 Live and Invest Overseas| www.liveandinvestoverseas.com

4. The Dominican Republic

5. Medical Care Overseas

6. U.S. Social Security In A Foreign Country

11 Copyright 2009 Live and Invest Overseas| www.liveandinvestoverseas.com

8. Set Your Priorities

9. Its Not Easy

10. The Internet Is Your Best Friend

12 Copyright 2009 Live and Invest Overseas| www.liveandinvestoverseas.com

11. Rent First

12. Love At First Sight Can Be Dangerous

13. No Country Is Perfect

Keep your expectations in line, and remember your sense of humor.

14. No Country Is Like Your Home Country

16. Listen To Your Gut

17. Be Willing To Accept The Culture Of Your Chosen Country

18. Know The Local Laws

19. Learn The Local Lingo (At Least A Little)

15 Copyright 2009 Live and Invest Overseas| www.liveandinvestoverseas.com

20. If Youre Moving Overseas With A Significant Other

23. Staying In Touch Can Be Easy And Cheap

16 Copyright 2009 Live and Invest Overseas| www.liveandinvestoverseas.com

24. You Wont Easily Find A Job Overseas

25. Understand Local Health Risks

26. The Benefits Of A Second Passport

17 Copyright 2009 Live and Invest Overseas| www.liveandinvestoverseas.com

27. How To Obtain Legal Second Citizenship

18 Copyright 2009 Live and Invest Overseas| www.liveandinvestoverseas.com

28. 6 Things You Must Consider Before Opening A Foreign Corporation

19 Copyright 2009 Live and Invest Overseas| www.liveandinvestoverseas.com

30. How To Live Tax-free

31. Assemble Important Documents To Take With You

20 Copyright 2009 Live and Invest Overseas| www.liveandinvestoverseas.com

32. Double Check Expiration Dates

33. Consider Registering With Your Embassy

34. Register For Absentee Voting

35. Consider What To Do With Your Current Residence

36. What About The Kids?

22 Copyright 2009 Live and Invest Overseas| www.liveandinvestoverseas.com

38. Can You Adjust To New Foods?

39. Determine Why You Want To Live Overseas

40. Reconcile Yourself To Being A Foreigner

23 Copyright 2009 Live and Invest Overseas| www.liveandinvestoverseas.com

41. Understand How Youll Pay Your Bills

42. Prepare For Panic

24 Copyright 2009 Live and Invest Overseas| www.liveandinvestoverseas.com

43. Know How Youll Access Your Money

44. Choosing A Banking Jurisdiction

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26 Copyright 2009 Live and Invest Overseas| www.liveandinvestoverseas.com

28 Copyright 2009 Live and Invest Overseas| www.liveandinvestoverseas.com

Retire overseas today and never outlive your nest egg...