Retirement in Mexico ~ is it a good or bad choice? (60+, spouse)

[yellowsnow]

Originally Posted by MagnoliaThunder

I have been told that one cannot collect Social Security if retired to another country...is that true?

No, that's not true.

[HappyTexan]

The government cannot control it's people. I would not retire there.

[Lakewooder]

I also live in Texas -- some say we already live in Mexico.. but as far as the 'real' Mexico, I would not do that...

There are plenty of lakes and small towns around here where you can purchase a nice little home for $50,000 - $75,000 in the good old USA!

[AcaciaRose]

You can get Social Security benefits while in another country, but Medicare won't cover your health care outside the U.S.

[Steve Bagu]

Some bogus info being posted here.

SS can be paid thru direct deposit into an American bank while a person living in another country withdraws funds as needed via the ATM where available ( a fee of course) I do this in Mexico. Cannot fathom the US depositing a SS or funds into a foreign bank for any retiree.

Re Medicare...I have to cross the border to receive any Medical needs from a Provider (VA) in Calif...same with prescriptions. Not sure about the US territories as I've never been there.

[MadManofBethesda]

Originally Posted by Steve Bagu

Some bogus info being posted here.

SS can be paid thru direct deposit into an American bank while a person living in another country withdraws funds as needed via the ATM where available ( a fee of course) I do this in Mexico. Cannot fathom the US depositing a SS or funds into a foreign bank for any retiree.

Speaking of bogus info being posted here....

Don't know why you can't fathom it, but the US does direct deposit Social Security benefits to foreign banks.

Your Payments While You Are Outside The United States

[TootsieWootsie]

I have friends living in Lake Chapala, Mexico, and San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, now that are American enclaves. None of them have had any problems, however, I looked into retiring there and just chickened out.
When that many folks--and many are innocents, too--have been gunned down in the past few years it scared me off. Pity, too, as I love the country.

[Steve Bagu]

Always wondered what CROW tasted like...found out this AM.

Glanced thru the LINK on SS payments...many different situations I would not be under so am not privy per se.

Thanx for the update many of us were not aware of. Steve

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

My wifes family is from Mexico. They are not your average imigrants as they are legal. LOL Her family has a ranch in Zacatecas (Can't remember how to spell it.) Anyway, we have a place down there now that we visit. Someone told me that I had won the lottery when I married my wife. Never considered moving there for good though. Too many problems down there.

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by SOON2BNSURPRISE

My wifes family is from Mexico. They are not your average imigrants as they are legal. LOL Her family has a ranch in Zacatecas (Can't remember how to spell it.) Anyway, we have a place down there now that we visit. Someone told me that I had won the lottery when I married my wife. Never considered moving there for good though. Too many problems down there.

I've lived in three other countries and enjoyed something about all of them, even when people were pointing shooty things at me. Still-in-all, not only did it never occur to me to retire outside my own country, even if I wanted to, Mexico would be the last place I'd choose.

I mean, look at it. Really look at it. Look at what its people do who sneak across our border. It's freaking lawless. Cheap everything gets you precisely what you pay for!