Imagine yourself waking up peacefully and seeing one of the 1,600 species of birds, which represent 18% of the world’s total avian population. That lovely scene might be what awaits you, especially if you are considering retiring in Ecuador. Ecuador, despite being the smallest Andean country, continues to reign as the number one most active destination in the world today. It’s the home to 15 different tribal groups, and 10% of the world’s plants are found in Ecuador, making it one of the most ideal places for you to retire and enjoy the rest of your life free of worries and problems.
Should you consider retiring in Ecuador, travelling around the country will be a breeze. Ecuador’s major tourist destinations are a few minutes away from any major city in the country. Keep in mind that some of UNESCO’s (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) recognized heritage sites in the world are found in Ecuador, so that alone reflects the country’s riches in terms of maintaining their natural resources. If you enjoy traveling and love having peaceful conversations with Mother Nature, Ecuador is the perfect retirement destination for you.
Should you choose to retire in Ecuador and you’re above the age of 65, you’ll surely enjoy your retirement thanks to the special benefits that are being given to senior citizens. You will be entitled to free health and medication services aside from the minimum 800-dollar monthly pension, which will come from a stable pension or a trust fund. In addition to this, you are also entitled to a 50% discount for all transportation services, regardless if it’s a public or a private vehicle. This will also give you a 50% discount for all roundtrip international flights from Ecuador offered by several airlines. Aside from that, a 50% discount will also be provided for electricity and water bills. You will receive tax exemptions, meaning whatever you receive from the government is free of taxes. Senior citizens are also entitled to discounts at any movie house, sports events, and even theater plays. The Ecuadorian government also provides free landlines to senior citizens for local calls. And you don’t even have to endure long hours of standing in line inside the banks. In fact, you don’t even have to line up. Banks in Ecuador are instructed to give priority to senior citizens who are doing their banking transactions. Lastly, you will no longer need to carry those special identification cards when walking around Ecuador. Instead, you will only need to show your Ecuadorian census, which is provided to you by the government upon reaching the age of 65.
Ecuador is a nice retirement destination for people who want a worry-free retirement not only because of the eye-opening wonders you will see throughout the country but also because of the various services and benefits retirees receive from the government. Should you retire in Ecuador, it’s a decision you will never regret.
*Originally published on Find Health in Ecuador January 08, 2015
