Reasons Why Philippines is a Retirement Haven for Expats

By Ashley Watson
April 26, 2016



Every year, Internationalliving.com announces the world’s top places to retire based on factors such as cost of living, climate, heath care facilities, benefits and discounts, and fitting in. This year Philippines was not only mentioned in the list but also scored well in almost every category of the site’s Annual Global Retirement Index.

A historic country with over 7000 islands, Philippines scored 92 on 100 and broke into the top 10 of the world’s most affordable countries to lead a retired life in the for cost of living category. For ‘Fitting In’, again the country scored 92 out of a possible 100 points (Only New Zealand, Belize, Malta and Ireland have better scores in this category).

One of the toughest decisions taken by retired people is where to settle down and live the rest of their life. If you have included Philippines in your filtering list (or even if you haven’t), here are some major reasons why you should consider retiring in the Philippines.

Major reasons why Philippines is a retirement haven

Low cost of living

Affordability is one of the first priorities for retired people to settle abroad. In that case, Philippines is a great choice. Most residents can live happily on a monthly budget of about $800 to $1000 i.e. for a family of two. And yeah, that includes occasional dine out and travel expenses too, according to Internationalliving.com. Outdoor activities are abound in this part of the world.

If you are an American citizen, then you would be aware that the average monthly Social Security benefit for retired people alone was $1,328 in the year 2015. That is more than enough to lead a happy retired life in a country like Philippines. Other benefits include low house rent and relatively lower fees for cleaning, plumbing, and cooking service people.
If you have already deposited a good amount in the bank at the time of retirement and are getting interest, then you might end up spending less and saving more by living in a country like Philippines.    

Beautiful Setting

Pleasant climate and the surrounding greenery are among the biggest plus points of Philippines. From imposing mountains to lush green plants to coral reefs, the surrounding area of Philippines is as beautiful as any other nature-friendly country in the world. In fact, the country is home to more than 7000 beautiful islands and a number of seas and water bodies where you can stop by and relax your weekends. Aklan and Boracay, in particular, are must-visit places if you love spending time in powdered sand and crystal clear blue water. El Nido in Palawan is a great place to explore the biodiversity of the country.

Expat Benefits

Philippines is a welcoming place for Western retirees. People are friendly and they get along well. In fact, the country has a dedicated government agency for guiding retired foreign visitors. Some of the financial benefits announced by the government for retired people include no-duty import of household items over $7000, air fare tax exemption, and other discounts. What’s more, expats are even permitted to find a job or start their own business if they wish to. Any expat who has got a permanent citizenship is free to stay in the country and leave and return without having to apply for resident status the second time.  

The Bottom Line

Philippines is home to thousands of expats who have settled down in search of pleasant climate, healthy environment, low cost of living, affordable healthcare facilities, and new culture. Moreover, Filipinos are friendly and easy to get along with. With a country offering so much benefits and convenience for expats, it makes sense to visit the place directly and analyze the conditions before settling down there.

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