The Cost to Retire Comfortably Around the World

[mariomike]

Readers considering where to spend their twilight years may find of interest.

Retiring comfortably in the U.S. requires an estimated $738,000, more than in Canada ($598,000), Mexico ($356,000), and most countries worldwide.

Mapped: How Much Americans Need to Retire Comfortably Around the World

From Mexico to Portugal, see how much Americans need to retire comfortably around the world, and how each country compares with the U.S.

www.visualcapitalist.com

 

[mariomike]

I Did the Math. You Can’t Afford to Leave America. Sorry.​

https://medium.com/@monalazzar/i-did-the-math-you-cant-afford-to-leave-america-sorry-c15fcd689258

A Gallup poll released in November 2025 found that one in five Americans want to leave the country permanently. Among women aged 15 to 44, the number is 40%. That’s four times what it was in 2014.

Anyone with an Italian, Irish, German, or Polish grandparent can apply for an EU passport . No visa required.

 

[Czech_pivo]

I Did the Math. You Can’t Afford to Leave America. Sorry.​

https://medium.com/@monalazzar/i-did-the-math-you-cant-afford-to-leave-america-sorry-c15fcd689258

A Gallup poll released in November 2025 found that one in five Americans want to leave the country permanently. Among women aged 15 to 44, the number is 40%. That’s four times what it was in 2014.

Anyone with an Italian, Irish, German, or Polish grandparent can apply for an EU passport . No visa required.

And any one of those citizenships gives you the right to live in any of the 27 countries of the EU. Irish grandparent, great, go and buy that house in Malaga Spain. Grandpa from Poznan Poland, no problem go buy that winter house in the Algarve Portugal, much cheaper than a place Boca Vista Florida.

 

[Czech_pivo]

And any one of those citizenships gives you the right to live in any of the 27 countries of the EU. Irish grandparent, great, go and buy that house in Malaga Spain. Grandpa from Poznan Poland, no problem go buy that winter house in the Algarve Portugal, much cheaper than a place Boca Vista Florida.

At the same time, anyone around the world who can prove that a direct relative was born in Canada and lived here for 3yrs (I believe that is one of the criteria, though I could be wrong on this part), can petition for CDN citizenship and come and live here as well. So Pavel from Poznan who's great great father came to Canada in 1913, had a son here in 1917 and then moved back to Poland in 1921 when Poland was re-constituted can claim citizenship and move to Moosejaw or Saint John and stay.

 

[mariomike]

At the same time, anyone around the world who can prove that a direct relative was born in Canada and lived here for 3yrs (I believe that is one of the criteria, though I could be wrong on this part), can petition for CDN citizenship and come and live here as well.

Saw this about that,

Aug 17, 2026

Demand for Canadian citizenship certificates soaring, fuelled by Americans​

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadian-citizenship-certificates-americans-9.7307536

 

[Czech_pivo]

Saw this about that,

Aug 17, 2026

Demand for Canadian citizenship certificates soaring, fuelled by Americans​

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadian-citizenship-certificates-americans-9.7307536

Yes, quite the back log

 

[SeaKingTacco]

At the same time, anyone around the world who can prove that a direct relative was born in Canada and lived here for 3yrs (I believe that is one of the criteria, though I could be wrong on this part), can petition for CDN citizenship and come and live here as well. So Pavel from Poznan who's great great father came to Canada in 1913, had a son here in 1917 and then moved back to Poland in 1921 when Poland was re-constituted can claim citizenship and move to Moosejaw or Saint John and stay.

That does not have the same ring to it as Algarve…

 

[Halifax Tar]

We've heard all this before. It's mostly bluster.

 

[Czech_pivo]

We've heard all this before. It's mostly bluster.

What’s bluster?

 

[Halifax Tar]

What’s bluster?

 

[NavyHopeful]

 

[Kilted]

I accepted the fact that my generation will never be able to retire many years ago.

 

[mariomike]

Yes, quite the back log

So it seems.

The American Rush for Canadian Passports

16 September 2026

https://macleans.ca/society/the-american-rush-for-canadian-passports/

One person is seeking citizenship for their son because they’re worried about the possibility of a U.S. draft.

I accepted the fact that my generation will never be able to retire many years ago.

Saw this about that,

Retirement Is Dead

31 August 2026

Wage stagnation, inflation and sheer bad luck have left Gen Xers toiling into old age. Will we ever get to call it quits?

https://macleans.ca/longforms/retirement-is-dead/

 

[daftandbarmy]

The fast food industry thanks you for your (ongoing) service

Retirement and post-retirement employment among older Canadians

Using data from the Labour Force Survey, this study presents trends in the number of retirements and summarizes the reasons for retirement. Additionally, it uses data from the Survey of Financial Security to document changes in post-retirement employment and to examine selected sociodemographic characteristics associated with working after retirement.

• The number of retirements (12-month average) in Canada increased from 183,900 in August 2012 to 276,800 in August 2025.
• In 2025, the main reason people cited for the timing of retirement was financial considerations, followed by their or their spouse’s health or disability issues.
• In 2023, 1 in 10 Canadians aged 55 and older who had retired in the past (10%) were working. This proportion was up from 7% in 2019. Men (12%) were more likely than women (9%) to work after retirement. Other characteristics associated with working after retirement included a higher level of family debt, a higher level of educational attainment and younger age.
• People working after retirement were mostly working part time (73%). Moreover, a notable proportion were self-employed (33%).

Retirement and post-retirement employment among older Canadians

Using data from the Labour Force Survey and the Survey of Financial Security, this study examines trends in the number of retirements over time, as well as changes in post-retirement employment among older Canadians. Reasons for retirement, as well as selected sociodemographic characteristics...

www150.statcan.gc.ca

 

[Humphrey Bogart]

I accepted the fact that my generation will never be able to retire many years ago.

It depends on how much $$$ one needs to retire. My goal for retirement has and will continue to be financial independence. Being reliant on the State for old-age security and a pension is to me, a trap.

I see a lot of people from the boomer generation still working. I work with a particular individual who is 65 years old and continues to work even though they don't need to. They are just OK at what they do but are mostly riding the coat tails of past performance at this point.

It's a drag on innovation and career advancement for younger professionals. I made the decision pretty quickly that I wasn't going to stick around waiting for these people to finally decide to pack it in and would create my own opportunities.

 

[Eaglelord17]

It depends on how much $$$ one needs to retire. My goal for retirement has and will continue to be financial independence. Being reliant on the State for old-age security and a pension is to me, a trap.

I see a lot of people from the boomer generation still working. I work with a particular individual who is 65 years old and continues to work even though they don't need to. They are just OK at what they do but are mostly riding the coat tails of past performance at this point.

It's a drag on innovation and career advancement for younger professionals. I made the decision pretty quickly that I wasn't going to stick around waiting for these people to finally decide to pack it in and would create my own opportunities.

Where I work there is a ton of layoffs. I can’t believe some of these boomers who refuse to retire.

I get it if you need the money and need to work but there is guys refusing to retire who have 4 income properties, have no need for the money, and theres young guys with families needing to work losing their jobs because those boomers refuse to give up their social club.

Morally reprehensible behaviour even if it is all 100% legal.

Retirement is a long shot for me, the defined benefit pensions were done away with and now it is defined contribution pensions which are severely underfunded (someone did the math we would need about 10$ a hour into our pension to get the same, but we only get 3.50$).

There is a retirement crisis coming up in a couple decades, unfortunately there isn’t any good fix coming.

 

[Humphrey Bogart]

Where I work there is a ton of layoffs. I can’t believe some of these boomers who refuse to retire.

I get it if you need the money and need to work but there is guys refusing to retire who have 4 income properties, have no need for the money, and theres young guys with families needing to work losing their jobs because those boomers refuse to give up their social club.

Morally reprehensible behaviour even if it is all 100% legal.

Retirement is a long shot for me, the defined benefit pensions were done away with and now it is defined contribution pensions which are severely underfunded (someone did the math we would need about 10$ a hour into our pension to get the same, but we only get 3.50$).

There is a retirement crisis coming up in a couple decades, unfortunately there isn’t any good fix coming.

I see the exact same thing where I work. Bunch of guys in their 60s making $200,000 a year who won't retire and hold a ton of seniority. Meanwhile it's Christmas and all the young guys are getting laid off. They will say they earned their seniority and technically they are correct but I find it odd.

It's the same in management. There is a big bubble of senior management in their 60s who just are basically hanging around at this point collecting PSUs and stock options. There is little to no mobility. I figured out pretty quickly that I needed to jump companies to get ahead of these people.

 

[Eaglelord17]

I see the exact same thing where I work. Bunch of guys in their 60s making $200,000 a year who won't retire and hold a ton of seniority. Meanwhile it's Christmas and all the young guys are getting laid off. They will say they earned their seniority and technically they are correct but I find it odd.

It's the same in management. There is a big bubble of senior management in their 60s who just are basically hanging around at this point collecting PSUs and stock options. There is little to no mobility. I figured out pretty quickly that I needed to jump companies to get ahead of these people.

They may have earned their seniority but it shouldn’t mean holding down everyone under you just for the sake of it.

Some of these guys are the most vindictive people I have met, just screwing people over for no reason other than they can.

The older management is a curse, refusal to adapt, insistence on older less efficient processes just because they don’t understand newer ones. Resistant to change even in the slightest way possible.

Simple example I asked if we could get the schedule sent to our work email. Refused. Even though it is made digitally, emailed to management, then printed and stuck in the office. This isn’t cutting edge recommendations, this is just bringing us in line with 2004.

 

[mariomike]

When I hired on, an OMERS seminar was included.

They explained I would be eligible to retire with an unreduced 70% DB pension on my 55th birthday .

It maxed out at 35 years, so , financially, there was no percentage in hanging around .

I followed their advice.

Times have changed,

Effective January 1, 2021, OMERS will no longer cap your credited service. This means that if you have not reached 35 years of credited service prior to this date, you will continue to contribute and accrue credited service in the Plan – and more credited service means a larger pension when you retire.

Members who are retired or deferred prior to the effective date are not impacted by the change. If a member meets the 35-year cap before January 1, 2021, the limit will continue to apply.

Maybe that's why some , instead of taking their rocking chair money , now hang around until they finally die in the saddle.

They will leave a fat survivor pension. "My wife won't let me retire!"

OMERS Survivor Benefits: Protecting Your Loved Ones After Death | OMERS Members | myOMERS

Learn about OMERS survivor benefits, eligibility and payout options for spouses, dependent children and beneficiaries. Understand the documentation required for claiming benefits.

members.omers.com

 

[daftandbarmy]

They may have earned their seniority but it shouldn’t mean holding down everyone under you just for the sake of it.

Some of these guys are the most vindictive people I have met, just screwing people over for no reason other than they can.

The older management is a curse, refusal to adapt, insistence on older less efficient processes just because they don’t understand newer ones. Resistant to change even in the slightest way possible.

Simple example I asked if we could get the schedule sent to our work email. Refused. Even though it is made digitally, emailed to management, then printed and stuck in the office. This isn’t cutting edge recommendations, this is just bringing us in line with 2004.

And they are backed by human rights legislation that says no one has to retire... ever...

News Release​

Ottawa, Ontario, December 14, 2012—A year ago tomorrow, Parliament passed the Keeping Canada's Economy and Jobs Growing Act which provides additional protection to older workers who wish to remain in the workforce. On December 15, 2012, the prohibition of mandatory retirement for federally regulated employees comes into force.

“Many Canadian seniors are living a healthy and active lifestyle and wish to remain active in the labour force,” said the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Canada’s Labour Minister. “Our government took action and removed potential barriers faced by older workers who enrich the workplace with their accumulated knowledge and experience.”

Specifically, the Act amended the Canada Labour Code to ensure employees receive severance pay upon involuntary termination regardless of age and pension eligibility.

“Canadian workers don’t come with ‘best before’ dates stamped on their foreheads,” said Mr. David Langtry, Acting Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission. “These amendments protect the important principle that age discrimination is prohibited under the Canadian Human Rights Act and that retirement is a personal decision,” he said.

Government of Canada highlights prohibition of mandatory retirement - Canada.ca

A year ago tomorrow, Parliament passed the Keeping Canada's Economy and Jobs Growing Act which provides additional protection to older workers who wish to remain in the workforce. On December 15, 2012, the prohibition of mandatory retirement for federally regulated employees comes into force.

www.canada.ca