Retiring overseas: Implications for your super and tax

Why do Australians want to retire overseas?

The main reasons for leaving Australia and retiring overseas include:

• Family ties – being closer to adult children and grandchildren or extended family in country of birth
• A desire for travel, warmer weather or to live in a new culture
• The cheaper cost of living in some countries compared to Australia
• The cost of housing, inadequate social security payments and everyday living expenses in Australia

If you’re considering making the move overseas and are doing research about cost of living in different countries, Numbeo has detailed analysis. International Living compiles an annual ‘Best places to retire’ list which is US-centric but still a useful place to start your research.

The ASFA Retirement Standard estimates a comfortable retirement lifestyle in Australia will cost a couple almost $72,000 a year and singles around $51,000. For anyone who relies on the Age Pension this is a stretch, especially if you don’t own your home and/or have a limited amount in super. So, it’s worth checking out what it may cost you to live in your preferred country.

Pros and cons of retiring overseas

The potential advantages (dependent on location) of retiring overseas include:

• Cheaper food and living expenses, for example, utilities and transport
• Cheaper property prices, renovation costs and rent
• Accessibility to high quality, affordable healthcare
• Increase in desirable lifestyle factors, for example less stress and more disposable income.

Possible disadvantages include:

• Forfeiting Medicare benefits after five years
• Cost of health insurance cover
• Tax implications for remaining Australian assets
• Inability to transfer super overseas (except to New Zealand – see below)
• Leaving behind family and friends.

Can I access my super?

What happens to your super depends on your residency status – either Australian citizen/permanent resident, or a temporary resident – and whether you meet a condition of release.

If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident you will be able to access your super provided you meet the normal conditions of release, or you’re moving to New Zealand, which allows you to transfer your super to a KiwiSaver account. While super pensions and lump sums are generally tax free for retirees once you turn 60, some countries may levy tax on your income or ‘wealth’.

If you are a temporary resident, you may be eligible for a departing Australia superannuation payment (DASP), in which case you can contact your fund trustee to request the release of your super.

SMSFs also have strict compliance rules about trustee control being based in Australia, which may have a big impact on your fund.

Whether you are a member of an APRA-regulated super fund or an SMSF, we strongly recommend you seek independent financial advice before you consider retiring overseas.

You can still get the pension

To receive the Age Pension if you move overseas permanently, your pension may be reduced depending on how long you were an Australian resident.

Essentially the pension becomes an Outside Australia rate, which means some supplements and entitlements may be affected. As at September 2023, singles received a maximum $26,787 per year while couples received $40,487. (By comparison, the full rate for eligible pensioners living in Australia is $28,514 for singles and $42,988 for couples.) You must also meet the age requirements and pass the usual income and assets test. You can receive the pension into your foreign bank account.

Unless the country you retire to has a social security arrangement with Australia, you must apply for the Age Pension in Australia. If you already live overseas, you’ll have to return to Australia first. Australia has International Social Security Agreements with more than 30 countries that enable pension payments. If you’ve lived or worked in an agreement country before, or you live in an agreement country now, you can receive a part pension from that country and a part pension from Australia.

What about healthcare?

Healthcare is a major consideration for older Australians so access to affordable healthcare can be a game changer when retiring overseas.

If you remain an Australian resident for tax purposes, you may be able to use publicly-funded medical services in countries with a reciprocal healthcare agreement. These agreements vary from country to country, so research thoroughly with your personal healthcare requirements in mind.

Generally, you will need to have a valid Medicare card and your Australian passport to receive treatment. You may also be asked to pay upfront and claim later or make a co-payment.

An alternative is international health insurance, but that can be costly.

Consider the tax implications

Retiring overseas can have major tax implications, especially if you earn income from property or other assets in Australia.

For example, with few exceptions, you are no longer eligible for the main residence capital gains tax (CGT) exemption on the sale of Australian property after 30 June 2020. And from 8 May 2012, foreign residents are ineligible for the full 50% CGT discount on the sale of assets.

Ultimately, you need to consider whether or not you will remain an Australian resident for Australian tax purposes. More expensive countries are likely to tax your retirement income, less so for cheaper Asian countries. If you remain an Australian resident for tax purposes, you’ll typically be taxed on your global income from all sources, whereas foreign residents are only taxed by the Australian government on their Australian-sourced income.

However, as a foreign resident you’ll start paying tax on the first dollar earned here. Tax treaties with other countries affect the amount of tax you may have to pay. Investigate the tax laws of the country you want to retire to, for example in the areas of property and pensions.

The bottom line

Retiring overseas may be done for lifestyle or family reasons, but it can have major tax, super and financial consequences. For that reason, we strongly recommend you seek the advice of an independent financial planner before you go.