Would you Retire Overseas?

Absolutely spot on. 

How VERY true. I am glad someone peter has hit the very SPOT. 

I agree with Peter as far as if it becomes totally unaffordable. One thing that has changed recently I think, is that Australian age pension can be drawn overseas for six months only. After this reduced or stopped, (unless the recipient returns home. may be for a minimum time, I am not sure). But the think I don't understand is why not move to a better, more affordable place in Australia? Isn't there any? Sure there are country regions that rent and real estate is cheaper. Food and produce must be cheaper at the source. I have been to Cyprus some years ago and went hotels. My wife been born in the island she was considered Cyprian and all hotels were giving reduced prices to Cyprians, they were telling us that is government policy at time, as they want locals to have holidays at home. Where here is the opposite local holiday and accommodation is dearer. Should the government step in and offer incentives or even subsidies to encourage locals wanting to go places in Australia and keep the dollars here?. Of course this will cost, Tourist Tax may be one way of funding it. As tourist come and enjoy the offerings of this country whether be Opera House, infrastructure, nature, food, parks, anything... it has been paid by the Australian people why not ask them to contribute for what they enjoyed but paid nothing. 

if you have WORKED most of your life and PAID exorbitant taxes , why would it not be a right without means testing ??? have supported bluggers whom seem to have the addage the govt ( ie> the tax payer ) owes them a living and call the dole their PAY !!! 

Of cause it's only the current government & the previous Howard government pollies that are overpaid not the ones that have retired from the last Labour government. They did a fantastic job. 

It would be cheaper for the gov and less lfearful for oldies if Nitschke method was acknowledge = Govt. wouldn't have to pretend that they care 

The attitude that "We are entitled to" needs to go the government does not pay pensions all of us in the work who pay tax pay for pensions and the mind set that you are entitled to one needs to go. Superannuation has been in for about 20 years and we all know that 9% is not sufficient so we should be making the effort to make additional contributions to cover our needs in retirement. The days of the welfare handout need to come to an end sooner rather than later. The government should consider making it compulsory that all people in the wrok make a mandatory contribution to their super on top of the employer contribution. 

You lose the Pension Supplement part of the Age Pension if you go overseas permanently. And after 6 months, if you haven't lived in Australia for 35 years between 16 and 65, you Age Pension can be reduced based on the years you were here (unless you go to a country with a Social Security Agreement, and have worked in that country as well, when you can add that time and the time in Australia together). But there's no problem at all getting paid the Age Pension paid overseas permanently - you do have to be here to apply and get it first though, and there are rules about being resident here for 10 years before applying. Don't take the word or people on forums, (even me, with over 15 years Centrelink background!) of even Centrelink staff. Not all are experts, and everyone can make mistakes. You can easily check by calling Centrelink's International Services (helpful people too) on 131 673. The other thing is, if you're thinking of doing it, think hard. We will do it, but in a location where we can get the services we want and health support that we will need as we age. Don't plan to sell up and spend it all in the new place - try the new place first for a year or two, and in all seasons. It may be dead off season, or have terrible weather etc, or you just realise how foreign it it, or miss family too much. I'm not saying don't do it (at all! We will!) just leave yourself an option of returning for a year or two. If you can rent your place out and then try before you buy in the new place, that's much safer. It's very hard to sell up, spend some of that, and come back to Aus and buy again, as the prices here are pretty high. This is just one example, but you'll get the idea, and it can happen anywhere: http://tinyurl.com/o2pbod7 So do your research - holidays are not the same as living there, wherever you're thinking about! 

Read the rules they are on the net and they are quite generous.