Ten Reasons to Retire in Panama
From: Retirement Wave
Why retire in Panama? Here's the short version based on my observations and experience following thirty-eight years of living and working all over the world.
1) It's a democracy with freedom.
I was there during the 2004 elections that were contested by half a dozen political parties. It was considerably less stressful than the US election running at the same time. The new President, Martin Torrijos, a Texas A&M graduate with a degree in economics, gives every appearance of being a solid, intelligent man who has genuine widespread public support. Freedoms of the press, speech, and religion are well-established, and free enterprise is the backbone of Panama's economic life.
2) There's no military.
Following the dramatic end of General Noriega's regime in 1989, Panamanians decided they would never again fear that a military general would become a dictator. They closed down the military. The national police force is just that, a police force, and the territorial integrity of Panama is guaranteed by the United States. They don't need a military and they have the good sense to know it.
3) They have the Panama Canal...and more.
The Panama Canal does far more than provide 10% of Panama's GDP (Gross Domestic Product – the total economy). Unlike many small nations that depend on tourism or some natural resource whose price varies depending on the market, the Panama Canal provides Panama with a large, steady, dependable income and will continue to for years to come. It also provides thousands of well-paid jobs for Panamanians. A multi-year, $8 billion expansion of the Panama Canal will add thousands more jobs. These are jobs that pay a great deal more than picking coffee beans or waiting on tourists. And the money from Panama Canal fees reaches out to touch people and businesses everywhere in the country. But there is more than the Canal to Panama. Unlike many other Latin American nations, agriculture plays an important, but relatively small role in the economy. International banking, maritime services, manufacturing, and shipping combine to provide more jobs and tax revenue than the Panama Canal. Panama is also home to the second-largest free trade zone in the world (Hong Kong is the largest) which has had a dramatic impact on the economy, employing twice as many people as the Canal. Panama's economy is far more modern and service-oriented than you might expect. This means stability not only for Panamanians, but for those of us who retire there.
4) Panama has a thriving middle class.
With the Panama Canal and a number of other established sources of income as mentioned above, Panama's middle class is growing. As Americans and Europeans know from their own experience, a healthy middle class is the foundation for a stable economy and a secure democracy. You don't have to search for the middle class in Panama, you can find them everywhere.
5) Americans and Europeans are welcome.
I am struck by the fact that Americans and Europeans are not looked at with awe nor are they disliked. Another contribution of the Panama Canal has been the introduction of hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world to Panama over the years, including tens of thousands of Americans assigned to support the Canal before its turn-over to Panama in 1999. Panamanians are perfectly comfortable with people from other nations. They've lived with them for decades and many of their "visitors" remained to become residents. 80% of the population is entirely or partially of European heritage, with the remainder made up of West Indians and native Americans. However, the population has inter-married to such an extent that it's really difficult to separate people into traditional ethnic or racial groups. Finally, the fact that 14% of the people are fully literate in English (and at least that many others are partially literate) can make life easier as well. However, Spanish language instruction is readily and inexpensively available.
6) The currency is the US dollar.
There are two benefits to this. For Americans and others with dollars, there is no need for currency exchange or to worry about exchange rates. The Panamanian Constitution forbids the government from printing paper currency. Thus a second benefit is that, unlike most nations, the Panamanian government cannot just turn on the printing presses when it wants more money. Panamanians have to earn their currency from the world market through hard work and intelligence. There is none of the wild inflation that has plagued so many Latin American nations.
7) The climate and surroundings are beautiful.
Panama is basically a mountain range bordered by beautiful Panama beaches. However, these are not cold, barren mountains. They are "soft", rounded volcanic Panamanian mountains and the volcanic soil provides an excellent base for lush vegetation. If you prefer a tropical climate, you won't be disappointed on either the Atlantic or Pacific coasts. If, like me, you prefer a more temperate climate with easy access to the Panama beaches (it's almost impossible to be more than an hour's drive from a Panama beach; 30 minutes is more common), move up the mountainside and you'll find it. The flowers, trees, birds and other animal life are varied and many are strikingly beautiful. It's what you would expect in that part of the world and Panamanians are doing a decent job of protecting their environment, far more so than many nearby nations. Eco-tourism is a growing industry in Panama and for good reason. The gentleman pictured to the left is testimony to that. And he's not alone. One of the most active groups defending Panama's environment is its very own Audobon Society. It's rare to find such a organization with a strong local chapter in a nation this small, but this is one more difference between Panama and its neighbors. To get an idea of the amazing variety of birds found in Panama, you can download a copy of Audobon's list of the Birds of Panama or visit its website.
8) The cost of living in Panama is far less than in the US or Europe.
How much you will save by living in Panama will be determined both by the amount you spend in your home nation and the lifestyle you choose in Panama. There's such a great variety among expatriates that it's impossible to tell you how much you'll save, but if you have any desire to spend less, you will find it far easier in Panama than in North America or Europe. Folks from high-cost urban areas express astonishment at how much cheaper it is to live comfortably in Panama. Those from low-cost rural areas will save less, but they all seem to have one thing in common: they live comfortably, cut their expenses, and save money. It's always been a reason to relocate to Panama and it remains a big one today.
9) The people of Panama are just plain friendly and a pleasure to know.
The factors above and others unmentioned in this "short" description leave Panamanians among the most pleasant, relaxed people I've ever met. They are more cosmopolitan and sophisticated than many who live in wealthier nations as a result of their long-term exposure to a wide variety of international visitors and Canal users. There are poor people in Panama, but there is none of the grinding, desperate poverty that is so common in much of the world. I've lived and worked in more than 40 nations on five continents and Panama is the only nation where no one has ever begged money from me. I wish I could say the same about the United States. In fact, no one in Panama has ever tugged my shirtsleeve, trying to convince me to buy some cheap carving or the like. I'm sure it must happen from time to time, but I've worked in so many "developing nations", where the poverty makes these kinds of survival practice necessary, not to immediately note their absence.
10) If you want to retire, Panama wants you.
All of the above makes retiring in Panama an excellent choice for retirement, but here are some very direct incentives. As a pensionado [retiree] in Panama, you receive: >> 50% discount at most recreational, movie, and sporting events >> 30% discount off public transportation (including buses and ships) >> 25% discount off Copa airline flights >> 50% discount off hotel stays on weekdays (30% on weekends) >> 25% discount at selected restaurants >> 15% discount at fast food restaurants >> 10% discount off prescription drugs >> 20% discount on doctor's visits >> 15% discount on dental work >> 25% discount on your electric bill (if less than $50) >> 25% discount on your telephone and water bills. In addition, you can bring in all your household goods free of taxes and import a new car every two years for private use.
All that is required to qualify as a pensionado is that you must be in good health, AIDS-free, have an up-to-date passport from your country of citizenship and a verifiable monthly pension income of at least $1000 per month for an individual, $1250 for a couple, plus $250 for each additional dependent, if any. Foreigners who become pensionados can buy and own Panama property and enjoy exactly the same rights and protections as Panamanians, not always the case in many nations and an important point people often forget to consider. As for income taxes, you will be pleased to know that in Panama you pay no taxes on income earned outside of Panama.
Panama is not paradise, no nation is. The government has budget problems and a need to expand the employment base and social services, but these are problems all nations face. Panama is still a relatively young nation and has its growing pains, but it's made a great deal of progress already and it's headed in the right direction. For the rest of us who are not Panamanians, it is a nation where we can live comfortably for much less money and far less stress than we have come to expect in our own societies. Best of all, we are "good" immigrants. We save money living in Panama, but we also bring with us the money that creates jobs and opens possibilities for Panamanians they would not have otherwise. They know that and so we are genuinely welcome.
Many would say "beautiful", but if I had to choose one word to describe Panama, it would be "comfortable". In this crazy world full of fear of terrorism and fear of not having enough money to pay the bills, that's a description of a good place to retire. For more pictures of life in Panama as lived by Retirement Wave members, visit our members' photo blog.