Do many feds choose to retire abroad?

[Anonymous]

Do many feds choose to retire abroad? For federal retirees, does continuing FEHB coverage mean they generally choose to stay in the U.S.?

[Anonymous]

I am a fed and planning to do this! Not sure about FEHB though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a fed and planning to do this! Not sure about FEHB though.

I’m considering the same approach to reduce living expenses and enjoy a better quality of life.

[Anonymous]

Some do this but a tiny minority who typically are driven by either financial or family consideration, as it involves many complexities. The current issue of the NARFE magazine has an article on the topic. https://www.narfe.org/

[Anonymous]

Can one access the NARFE article without being a member? I have found some fed retirement YouTubers who claim that BCBS can be used internationally but I haven’t verified it.

[Anonymous]

FSBP is an excellent health care plan that is designed to be used abroad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can one access the NARFE article without being a member? I have found some fed retirement YouTubers who claim that BCBS can be used internationally but I haven’t verified it.

It might be useable if a US resident on BCBS is traveling abroad briefly.

I very much doubt that BCBS offer coverage for someone who resides outside the USA. For openers, they would need an insurance license from each foreign country where coverage to residents is offered.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can one access the NARFE article without being a member? I have found some fed retirement YouTubers who claim that BCBS can be used internationally but I haven’t verified it.

It might be useable if a US resident on BCBS is traveling abroad briefly.

I very much doubt that BCBS offer coverage for someone who resides outside the USA. For openers, they would need an insurance license from each foreign country where coverage to residents is offered.

We are foreign service and have used BCBS overseas for many years. FSBP is also popular.

[Anonymous]

Overseas coverage under FEHB varies, and requires careful choices: https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/plan-information/important-facts-about-overseas-coverage/

There are also potential significant investment, financial management, and tax considerations involved in expatriation. And, many countries which allow USPERS to live long-term within their borders are not countries you'd necessarily want to live in, if not compelled by financial constraints. Even then, if you're motivated by a lower cost of living in some 3rd-world country, you probably have failed to consider the full range of domestic options which can provide a much lower COL without any of the many complications of living abroad long-term.

Move to rural Arkansas, for example, and your cost of living will be very low, while your quality of life will still likely be better than it might be in many foreign locales. https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/rankings/opportunity/affordability/cost-living

In other words, considerable research is required if you're not to make an impulsive and poorly considered life-changing decision.

[Anonymous]

FEHB covers many countries but Medicare doesn’t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Overseas coverage under FEHB varies, and requires careful choices: https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/plan-information/important-facts-about-overseas-coverage/

There are also potential significant investment, financial management, and tax considerations involved in expatriation. And, many countries which allow USPERS to live long-term within their borders are not countries you'd necessarily want to live in, if not compelled by financial constraints. Even then, if you're motivated by a lower cost of living in some 3rd-world country, you probably have failed to consider the full range of domestic options which can provide a much lower COL without any of the many complications of living abroad long-term.

Move to rural Arkansas, for example, and your cost of living will be very low, while your quality of life will still likely be better than it might be in many foreign locales. https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/rankings/opportunity/affordability/cost-living

In other words, considerable research is required if you're not to make an impulsive and poorly considered life-changing decision.

Tell me you've never lived abroad without telling me you lived abroad.

It is HILARIOUS, absolutely laughable that anyone would prefer rural arkansas to the plethora of options outside the US. 😂😂😂

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Overseas coverage under FEHB varies, and requires careful choices: https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/plan-information/important-facts-about-overseas-coverage/

There are also potential significant investment, financial management, and tax considerations involved in expatriation. And, many countries which allow USPERS to live long-term within their borders are not countries you'd necessarily want to live in, if not compelled by financial constraints. Even then, if you're motivated by a lower cost of living in some 3rd-world country, you probably have failed to consider the full range of domestic options which can provide a much lower COL without any of the many complications of living abroad long-term.

Move to rural Arkansas, for example, and your cost of living will be very low, while your quality of life will still likely be better than it might be in many foreign locales. https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/rankings/opportunity/affordability/cost-living

In other words, considerable research is required if you're not to make an impulsive and poorly considered life-changing decision.

Tell me you've never lived abroad without telling me you lived abroad.

It is HILARIOUS, absolutely laughable that anyone would prefer rural arkansas to the plethora of options outside the US. 😂😂😂

Yes, the above is very misinformed. There are multiple countries countries that offer retirement visas to Americans like Mexico, Portugal, Bulgaria, Thailand, or Costa Rica. You have to prove a certain level of wealth to obtain the visa and be aware of trade offs but these are hardly third world countries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Overseas coverage under FEHB varies, and requires careful choices: https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/plan-information/important-facts-about-overseas-coverage/

There are also potential significant investment, financial management, and tax considerations involved in expatriation. And, many countries which allow USPERS to live long-term within their borders are not countries you'd necessarily want to live in, if not compelled by financial constraints. Even then, if you're motivated by a lower cost of living in some 3rd-world country, you probably have failed to consider the full range of domestic options which can provide a much lower COL without any of the many complications of living abroad long-term.

Move to rural Arkansas, for example, and your cost of living will be very low, while your quality of life will still likely be better than it might be in many foreign locales. https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/rankings/opportunity/affordability/cost-living

In other words, considerable research is required if you're not to make an impulsive and poorly considered life-changing decision.

Tell me you've never lived abroad without telling me you lived abroad.

It is HILARIOUS, absolutely laughable that anyone would prefer rural arkansas to the plethora of options outside the US. 😂😂😂

Actually, I have lived for extended periods in Europe and in Asia. Yes, I'd rather live in Zurich than in rural Arkansas. But:

People moving overseas for a low cost of living aren't looking to move to expensive countries where they will have a high quality of life. They are going to banana republics or other poorer countries with unstable politics and economies, language barriers, inefficient public services, and often an enmity towards foreigners. They will never "belong" unless they have local family. It's a pipe dream for most. If I were financially limited, I'd much prefer rural life in a Southern state to life anywhere in dozens of low-cost countries where my cost of living will be similar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Overseas coverage under FEHB varies, and requires careful choices: https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/plan-information/important-facts-about-overseas-coverage/

There are also potential significant investment, financial management, and tax considerations involved in expatriation. And, many countries which allow USPERS to live long-term within their borders are not countries you'd necessarily want to live in, if not compelled by financial constraints. Even then, if you're motivated by a lower cost of living in some 3rd-world country, you probably have failed to consider the full range of domestic options which can provide a much lower COL without any of the many complications of living abroad long-term.

Move to rural Arkansas, for example, and your cost of living will be very low, while your quality of life will still likely be better than it might be in many foreign locales. https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/rankings/opportunity/affordability/cost-living

In other words, considerable research is required if you're not to make an impulsive and poorly considered life-changing decision.

lol I don’t want to live in rural Arkansas … not sure why you think that would be a higher QOL?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Overseas coverage under FEHB varies, and requires careful choices: https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/plan-information/important-facts-about-overseas-coverage/

There are also potential significant investment, financial management, and tax considerations involved in expatriation. And, many countries which allow USPERS to live long-term within their borders are not countries you'd necessarily want to live in, if not compelled by financial constraints. Even then, if you're motivated by a lower cost of living in some 3rd-world country, you probably have failed to consider the full range of domestic options which can provide a much lower COL without any of the many complications of living abroad long-term.

Move to rural Arkansas, for example, and your cost of living will be very low, while your quality of life will still likely be better than it might be in many foreign locales. https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/rankings/opportunity/affordability/cost-living

In other words, considerable research is required if you're not to make an impulsive and poorly considered life-changing decision.

Tell me you've never lived abroad without telling me you lived abroad.

It is HILARIOUS, absolutely laughable that anyone would prefer rural arkansas to the plethora of options outside the US. 😂😂😂

Actually, I have lived for extended periods in Europe and in Asia. Yes, I'd rather live in Zurich than in rural Arkansas. But:

People moving overseas for a low cost of living aren't looking to move to expensive countries where they will have a high quality of life. They are going to banana republics or other poorer countries with unstable politics and economies, language barriers, inefficient public services, and often an enmity towards foreigners. They will never "belong" unless they have local family. It's a pipe dream for most. If I were financially limited, I'd much prefer rural life in a Southern state to life anywhere in dozens of low-cost countries where my cost of living will be similar.

You act like there is no middle ground between Zurich and Kinshasa …