A visible transformation is taking place in US society. Leaving the US is no longer just the choice of a small minority seeking tropical beaches or digital nomads looking for flexibility. From the middle class to higher income groups, an increasingly broad segment is treating retirement abroad as a strategic exit plan.
The retirement segment spanning ages 45 to 60+ largely consists of individuals who have established life routines, accumulated savings -whether modest or significant- and enjoy social status. But what drives people with such stability to undertake such a profound life change?
The answer is not one-dimensional. Rising living costs, political uncertainty, lack of trust in the healthcare system, and a search for social stability all stand out. Dual citizenship is no longer a luxury, it has become a necessity. US citizens don’t just want to move; they want to build a comprehensive exit plan.
By the Numbers: A Shift in Motion
- Roughly 5.5 million US citizens live abroad (2024).
- Nearly one in four is retired: about 1.26 million people.
- Over 760,000 retirees receive US Social Security abroad, a number that has grown sharply in just two years.
- In 1974, only 10% of US citizens expressed interest in moving abroad. By 2024, that number had risen to 34%.
- In 2024-2025, retirees accounted for 62% of US citizens relocating abroad.
Retirement migration is no longer about seeking “sunny beach towns.” It is a safeguard against financial, political, and healthcare risks, an insurance policy for building resilience and autonomy in uncertain times.
What’s Happening in the US?
The US is undergoing structural fractures that are reshaping how citizens view the future:
- Healthcare costs are outpacing inflation, making long-term care unaffordable for many.
- Social Security’s sustainability is in question, with 2033 marked as a critical tipping point.
- Political polarization has deepened, leaving many people feeling unstable in their daily lives.
These dynamics are not marginal, they directly impact the very middle- and upper-middle-class US citizens who once felt “secure.”
The Get Golden Visa Perspective
According to Get Golden Visa data, the number of Plan A movers (tomorrow’s retirees) who proactively seek relocation increased by 76% in 2024 compared to 2023. Especially since the November 2024 presidential elections, we’ve seen a sharp spike in US citizens seeking Golden Visas and second citizenship solutions.
To understand this trend, we look not only at the numbers but also at human stories and lived experience. By combining demographic insights, international reports, expert perspectives, and client case studies, we map the forces driving this transformation.
Looking Ahead
Building on our 2024 The Great US Exodus report, the 2025 edition focuses specifically on retirement migration, with particular attention to two distinct clusters:
- Today’s Retirees: Those already relocating for stability and better quality of life.
- Future Retirees: Those preparing alternative scenarios as a safeguard for the years ahead.
Coming Soon: The Great US Retirement Exodus 2025
In our first Great US Exodus report in 2022, we examined why US citizens were leaving the country and exploring residency options abroad. In 2024 report, we updated with the latest statistics, expert insights, and first-hand quotes to show how the trend was accelerating.
The 2025 edition goes one step further. It doesn’t just ask “Why are US citizens leaving?”, it zooms in on retirement migration as the defining theme.
This year’s whitepaper is enriched with 8 real-life personal stories and commentary from over 10 investment, migration, and tax experts, providing both data-driven depth and hands-on professional insights.
Supported by demographic analysis, international reports, case studies, and investment migration data, The Great US Retirement Exodus 2025 examines not only mobility, but also security, lifestyle, and strategic foresight through a comprehensive lens.
At Get Golden Visa, we are proud to announce that The Great US Retirement Exodus 2025 will be our most extensive and most human-centered analysis to date, grounded in both data and lived experience.
