GeoPension™

Make Social Security Feel Like a Pension Again

GeoPension (short for Geography Pension) is a step-by-step plan to retire better overseas by choosing the right country, city, and neighborhood.

Build Your GeoPension Plan

You’re worried your retirement math doesn’t work anymore—and you’re not alone.

GeoPension Plan uses geography—choosing the right country, city, and neighborhood—to turn fixed income (Social Security + modest savings) into a livable, pension-like retirement—more like the comfortable retirement many of our parents had.

GeoPension by Affordable Retirement Abroad

It’s not a fantasy. It’s a framework.

The Problem GeoPension Solves

For many Americans, retirement used to be comfortable, with a stable pension and manageable costs. But these days, Social Security has been eroded by inflation, 401(k)s are volatile, pensions are rare, and healthcare + housing costs are soaring.

Why GeoPension by Affordable Retirement Abroad

GeoPension is about changing the geography so your monthly numbers work again.

What “GeoPension” is (simple definition)

GeoPension plan

GeoPension = Geography Pension

Using location—country + city + neighborhood—to improve the “retirement equation” without needing higher investment returns.

Instead of asking only “Where can I retire abroad?”, GeoPension asks:

  • “Can I actually live here on my income?”
  • “What does normal monthly life cost in real neighborhoods?”
  • “How’s healthcare, safety, walkability, community, and long-term practicality?”

What makes GeoPension different

A lot of retirement-abroad content:

  • Stays at the country level (too broad)
  • Glosses over the math
  • Sells a dream instead of a plan

The GeoPension approach is:

  • Numbers-first
  • City- and neighborhood-level
  • Evidence-based
  • Honest about tradeoffs (and dealbreakers)

How we research cities​

When we profile a city, we focus on:

  • Housing (real long-term rents, not just tourist listings)
  • Groceries + everyday costs
  • Healthcare access + typical costs
  • Safety & stability (day-to-day reality)
  • Walkability/transport
  • Community & belonging
  • Language reality
  • Visa/practicality (what it takes to stay long-term)

GeoPension Report Card for Cities

We also publish a simple GeoPension “Report Card” so cities can be compared apples-to-apples. We use a repeatable 1-10 scoring system for  core dimensions (housing, healthcare, safety, visa practicality, etc.) to create a city-level snapshot.

GeoPension Report Card

Next Steps

  • Country Guides: Find countries that fit your budget and priorities
  • Blog: Guides, cost breakdowns, and planning steps
  • YouTube Channel: Field research trips + city profiles

Course Spotlight: Mastering Affordable Retirement Abroad

Just launched! Our comprehensive new course provides a step-by-step, GeoPension-informed roadmap to guide you through the entire process. Save hundreds of hours of research and prevent costly mistakes with this one-of-a-kind resource.

Disclaimers

GeoPension ratings and city profiles are based on research and on-the-ground observations at a point in time. This is not individualized financial/legal/medical advice, and costs, safety, and visa rules can change.

Get GeoPension research, city comparisons, and retirement-abroad tips—straight to your inbox.

Subscribe to our free monthly newsletter to receive exclusive retirement planning tips and resources delivered to your inbox.  Just enter your email below: