A recent ranking by U.S. News and World Report identified the best countries for a comfortable retirement based on an international survey of nearly 17,000 people, including a subset of 5,900 respondents aged mid-40s and older.
The 89 countries were evaluated on seven criteria: affordability, tax environment, friendliness, livability, pleasant climate, property rights, and public health systems. Despite high rankings for states like Florida and Delaware in other surveys, such as those conducted by Bankrate, the United States did not make the top 10, landing instead at No. 30, behind countries like Mexico, Malaysia, and the Dominican Republic.
For the second consecutive year, Switzerland topped the list as the best country for a comfortable retirement, praised for its healthcare system and low taxes, though it is also one of the most expensive places to retire. The cost of living in Switzerland is about 60.5% higher than in the U.S., with rent averaging 18.2% more. A retiree in Switzerland needs at least $3,500 a month to live comfortably, and in larger cities, a retired couple might spend around $4,000 monthly. The country, slightly larger than New Jersey, is known for its neutrality, wealth, and multilingual population. New Zealand ranked second, improving from last year, and offers a temporary retirement visa for those 66 and older. The visa requires a significant financial commitment, but the cost of living and rent in New Zealand are notably lower than in the U.S. The country celebrated for its natural beauty and as a filming location for “The Lord of the Rings,” offers subsidized or free healthcare funded by taxes.
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