{"id":42886,"date":"2025-06-09T09:27:08","date_gmt":"2025-06-09T09:27:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/isafespend.com\/?p=42886"},"modified":"2025-06-09T09:27:10","modified_gmt":"2025-06-09T09:27:10","slug":"retiring-abroad-on-a-military-pension-3-expat-havens-for-u-s-veterans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/isafespend.com\/?p=42886","title":{"rendered":"Retiring Abroad On A Military Pension\u20143 Expat Havens For U.S. Veterans"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Over the past three decades, the number of Americans who want to retire overseas has tripled\u2014that’s according to a recent Monmouth University poll. Among them is a growing community of U.S. veterans.<\/p>\n

According to John H. Davis, an author, veteran advocate, and co-founder of Veterans in Paradise, veterans are particularly suited to expat life.<\/p>\n

\u201cServing in the military provides you with a unique comfort with change, resiliency in unfamiliar surroundings, and diverse perspectives,\u201d says John.<\/p>\n

\u201cVeterans are adaptable, adventurous, and after navigating foreign countries, eating diverse cuisines, and experiencing different cultures they\u2019ve practically earned a PhD in cultural immersion.\u201d<\/p>\n

As is the case for most retirees, a move overseas can be transformative. Benefits can include a lower cost of living, a more laidback lifestyle, a more favorable climate, and a chance to pursue your passions and reinvent your life.<\/p>\n

For veterans, there are other key factors to consider too.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs well as taking into account practical needs such as where one can live well on a military pension and other personal preferences, for most veterans countries with an already existing veteran expat population will go to the top of the list,\u201d says John. \u201cThey will also want to consider health care options geared towards veterans and locations where veteran programs and organizations are established.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking those factors into account, here are three destinations where U.S. veterans can enjoy a comfortable retirement.<\/p>\n

1. The Dominican Republic<\/h2>\n

The Dominican Republic is one of the most affordable spots in all of the Caribbean. It\u2019s blessed with beautiful beaches, lush jungle, mountain getaways, and offers an easy path to residency. It\u2019s also close to the U.S. and allows expats full ownership rights of real estate.<\/p>\n

Indeed, it\u2019s where John and his friend, fellow retired veteran and co-founder of Veterans in Paradise, Keith Pyron have chosen to call home. They\u2019re part of a 20,000-strong community of retired veterans in the DR.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are veteran health care centers around the island, catering specifically to American veterans who accept the Foreign Medical Program of the Veterans Administration,\u201d adds John.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Dominican people are very welcoming, friendly, and love to have a good time. It\u2019s the birthplace of Bachata, baseball is king, and it\u2019s the only country in the world with the Bible on its flag.\u201d<\/p>\n

Of course, as with anywhere there are some downsides to life in the DR. Power outages are not uncommon and certain areas are prone to hurricanes and tropical storms, but for most, the positives here far outweigh the negatives.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll tell every veteran, this place saved my life,\u201d says Keith.<\/p>\n

2. The Philippines<\/h2>\n

The Philippines, an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands, has much to recommend it to retirees including stunning white-sand beaches, established expat communities, and an extremely low cost of living\u2014on average around half that of the U.S.<\/p>\n

During World War II, more than 250,000 Filipino troops fought under U.S. command. A treaty, signed after WWII ended, led to the establishment of U.S. military bases within the country. In addition, The Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) was built by the U.S. in Quezon City as a gift of gratitude to those Filipino soldiers who served.<\/p>\n

For U.S. veterans living in The Philippines today, the VA Manila Regional Office and Outpatient Clinic\u2014the only VA clinic outside the U.S.\u2014provides health care and benefits.<\/p>\n

Another big draw for The Philippines is that English is one of the country\u2019s official languages and is widely spoken. Plus, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion operate posts in the country, making it a great option for veterans.<\/p>\n

3. Panama<\/h2>\n

Panama has long been a haven for expats, from mountain town Boquete to beach town Bocas del Toro to bustling Panama City, there\u2019s truly something to suit everyone in this diverse isthmus.<\/p>\n

U.S. veterans have a long history with Panama and many veterans that served there opted to stay on or return in retirement.<\/p>\n

In Panama City, you\u2019ll find every modern convenience, impressive infrastructure, world-class health care, and a welcoming community of English-speaking expats. Plus, Panama uses the U.S. dollar and offers a gold-standard visa program for retirees\u2014the pensionado<\/em>\u2014and you don\u2019t need to be of retirement age to qualify.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re 18 years of age or above and receive a monthly income of at least $1,000 you may qualify. You also need to provide a police record check and a health certificate as part of the application process but generally speaking it\u2019s quick and straightforward.<\/p>\n

Plus, the Panamanian people are welcoming, you can find a climate to suit your preferences, and a move there can cut your cost of living considerably.<\/p>\n

MORE FROM FORBES<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

Read the full article here<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Over the past three decades, the number of Americans who want to retire overseas has tripled\u2014that’s according to a recent Monmouth University poll. Among them is a growing community of U.S. veterans. According to John H. Davis, an author, veteran advocate, and co-founder of Veterans in Paradise, veterans are particularly suited to expat life. \u201cServing<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":42887,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[55],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-42886","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-retirement"},"yoast_head":"\nRetiring Abroad On A Military Pension\u20143 Expat Havens For U.S. Veterans | iSafeSpend<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Over the past three decades, the number of Americans who want to retire overseas has tripled\u2014that's according to a recent Monmouth University poll. 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