Cambodia. With no shortage of dazzling places to explore, Cambodia is a popular destination for Aussies to retire. Not only can you scoop up a bargain-priced property, but you'll love the friendly culture and delicious foods. Australian expats also appreciate the low-cost services they rarely used back home.
With an overall score of 81%, Norway comes in at number one as the most retirement-friendly country on the list. Norway is at the top of this year's ranking for several reasons.
Ecuador. If you're looking for a country where you can retire outside the US comfortably with $800 per month and experience one of the most ecologically diverse places in the world, then Ecuador might be for you. The go-to city for US retirees in Ecuador is Cuenca, which also happens to be a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The most popular retiree destinations for Australians include New Zealand, Italy, Greece and Spain.
Australia has long been a popular retirement destination for the 'Poms'. In fact, the country is such a draw for pensioners that there are currently over 230,000 British expats claiming their state pension there.
More often than not, retirees will find the most affordable and sunniest retirement destinations in the southernmost state of the continental U.S. — Florida.
New Zealand
NZ is by far the easiest option for an Aussie who's looking to work overseas. You can literally rock up without a visa and start working, just as you would in Australia.
If you're an Australian permanent resident or citizen heading overseas, your super remains subject to the same rules, even if you are leaving Australia permanently. This means your super must remain in your super fund/s until you reach preservation age and are eligible to access it.
If your payments can continue while you're outside Australia and you intend to be away for: less than 12 months, we'll continue to pay you every 2 weeks into your Australian bank account. more than 12 months, we'll pay you every 4 weeks into your Australian or overseas bank account.
Places to retire overseas on $1,000 per month: Chiang Rai, Thailand. Corozal, Belize. Cuenca, Ecuador.
According to the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia's Retirement Standard, to have a 'comfortable' retirement, a couple who own their own home will need an income of about $67,000. A single person will need an annual income of more than $47,000.
The ASFA Retirement Standard Explainer says a comfortable retirement lifestyle would need $640,000 in super for a couple, or $545,000 for a single person.
If you intend to move overseas for six months (183 days) or more in any twelve month period, you must notify the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). From the date of leaving Australia you must do this within 7 days. Update your contact details via myGov. If you already live overseas, you must notify the ATO.
Generally speaking, if your overseas holiday is less than six weeks, your pension rates remain unchanged. However, if you prolong to more than six weeks, meaning that you're away for almost two months, the government will reduce your Pension Supplement to the basic rate and your Energy Supplement will stop.
But, generally speaking, most experts agree that you will need 70-80% of your pre-retirement income to maintain your standard of living in retirement. For example, if you earned $50,000 per year ($4,167 a month) before retiring, you would need approximately $35,000-$40,000 per year in retirement.