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I am rated 100% disabled by the VA. I am not able to do physical work but do well enough with computer repairs, builds and so forth. I abhor the way the US is headed and am just plain fed up with the warmongering and desire to control the world bit. Costa appeals to me very much as it has no such desires and it focuses on what is important to a large degree. Conserving the earth and higher education. Since I am forceably retired as it were and exist mainly on a pension for my disability when I move to costa I will lose the pension, a whopping 10K a year…any ideas on what I should do to make retiring there more than a mere dream?
Why would you lose your pension if you moved to CR? I thought it was similar to SSA and that you could collect it no matter where you lived.
I think you are right Maravilla. The VA told me that if I move to Costa Rica I would only have to return once a year for annual physical in order to stay in the VA medical system. I think this young fellow need to find himself a VA counselor and tell him/her of his plans which should not in anyway jeopardize his benefits for just asking about what might be. Or he might look for a non-profit VA support group to lay out his plans to for advice. For example, here in the state of Oregon we have our own state VA and they will advise you about their experience in working with US VA Department. If nothing else he can call his local congress person and ask to speak to the person in the office who handles veteran affairs for his member of Congress. Over the years I have gotten excellent advice from my former congress member in Washington and here in Oregon, both employed excellent people who knew the ends and outs of the VA system.
jerrelli, I’m quite sure you have this wrong. As Maravilla says, you should be able to continue to receive the pension you earned regardless of the location of your residence. Certainly retired service members who never became U.S. citizens receive their pensions in the Phillipines and elsewhere. I know of retired service members who live in Costa Rica and continue to receive their military service pensions. What I am not certain about is whether they are retired on length of service or on disability, but I cannot imagine that it matters.
Do check with the VA about this before you write off moving to Costa Rica. We’re here in large measure due to the same feelings about life in the U.S. that you express. This is a very different life experience.
jerrelli, The big question is how will they know where you call home? No doubt they have a direct deposit system in place so just have your retirement checks deposited into you bank in the states and draw on them with your debit card here. Perhaps a more important question is… how do you plan to live on $10k/year?
Edited on Feb 17, 2009 21:07
Thank you so much for your consideration concerning my situation. I am very pleased to have found so many helpful people that come to this site. I have gotten very good advice here I think and certainly look into every avenue. I think the new Administration in America will be better than what has been happening, and things may very well improve…but I do not wish to remain here anymore and will be leaving around mid-2009. I am on the wrong side of 50 to be worrying about wars, insane policies and unrealistic tax structures. It has gotten totally out of hand, and I see no reason for anyone to expect that Obama, or several just like him could turn it all around easily at all. I just hope the best for him and that he can do some real good. Sorry about all the “political acidity” but I am just totally over it. It is time to relax and enjoy a better life.
Thank you so much for your input. What the VA said to you concerning moving to CR brought a literal sigh of relief from me. Your exceptional thinking into avenues to address my situation are perfectly appreciated and I thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy day to address problems that are my own. I am very hopeful and anxious to get moving towards relocation. I will plan to be there by mid 2009. This site is just the cat’s pajamas for me, Scott has done a very fine job here and I look forward to meeting some of you fine folks who post your thoughts here. I will be comming back daily as this site is as important to me as my own inbox. I sure receive more good here than I do from the tons of spam My inbox offers (smirk) I really appreciate your time and hope one day to be in a position to repay your kindness. I will look into it for certain, but no matter what I am going to find a way to leave this madness for a better place to live. CR is my choice and I will be going. No doubt.
Thanks so much David for your consideration about my little problem. From what replies to my post I have read, you are likely right and I have it wrong. Had never considered servicemen and service women who live abroad, but many do. I will be looking into it as soon as the holidays are passed. I really appreciate your taking the time to reply and for your insight. I am eager to get there and begin to explore the beauty and atmosphere. The pictures I have seen are awesome and I am sure thet the firsthand experience will make them pale by comparison. Looking forward to getting there like nothing I ever looked forward to.
Jerelli,
You are not alone. I am making my move to CR in just a few days. It appears as though the Republic has been decimated by the central bankers. I hope I am wrong, but it seems as though some sort of revolution is the only chance we have to get it back. I’m just glad I’ll be living in the “crown jewel” of the Americas when/if such a thing occurs.
Tico’s should be very proud of their country. No Army. I love it.
Edited on Dec 24, 2008 09:37
I am watching as Americans move in and out of Costa Rica. Some stay and make it home. Others do not. As far as I can tell, which group you end up in has a lot to do with the expectations you bring with you. Perhaps even more important than learning Spanish, keeping your expectations in tune with the reality of living among Costa Ricans seems to be essential.
On the one hand, I am completely sympathetic with Costa Rica’s socialistic political flavor, which is decidedly liberal. On the other hand, I am mindful of all the Latin idiosyncracies which are present in the Costa Rican culture. There are some very striking differences between us and them which have been discussed here many times. Visit the country as often as possible before committing and make sure you can modify yourself to fit in because it doesn’t work the other way around.
Sorry David, I DO get carried away with myself sometimes, but realize too that was the toned down version…LOL! I just got a burr under my saddle, were it to be removed via some inexplicable miracle, I would still very likely buck any-old-way…so it goes…Love my country, fear my government…I have to go!
been living on less than 10K until the past year, well over a decade, and at American prices, I only imagine that given roughly 1/3rd the cost of living, things will ease up somewhat? I will be up over 11K after 1-1-2009, with the proposed col increase…5.8% wheeee! Got direct deposit and yeah, I will use that option should the need arise, already picked out someone here to see to it.
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