Part 4 of 6: Designing the Ideal Aging Nation — What Should Retirement Really Look Like?

Introduction: The Global Search for Dignified Aging

In an era where longevity has outpaced societal preparation, a profound question echoes across generations: Where can we grow old with dignity? The world is witnessing an unprecedented demographic shift—by 2050, 1 in 6 people globally will be over 65 (UN, 2022)—yet most nations remain woefully unprepared to meet the needs of aging populations.

Retirees today aren’t merely seeking sunset beaches or tax breaks; they’re searching for a fundamental guarantee: that their later years will be marked by accessible healthcare, financial security, and belonging.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. While surveys like AARP’s 2022 global study reveal that retirees prioritize affordable care, social protections, and inclusive communities, reality paints a grimmer picture. In the U.S., 40% of seniors fear outliving their savings (National Council on Aging, 2023). In Europe, fragmented long-term care systems leave families scrambling. And in aspiring retirement havens like Thailand or Mexico, glossy brochures often mask gaps in rural healthcare and elder rights. This isn’t just about individual choices—it’s a systemic failure to reimagine aging as a human right rather than an afterthought.

WHAT RETIREES ARE LOOKING FOR TODAY?

In a recent AARP International survey (2022), older adults across 15 countries identified the following top 5 priorities for aging in place or abroad.

1. 1. Affordability and accessible healthcare
   2. Social protections (pensions, LTC, subsidies)
   3. Safe, walkable, age-friendly communities
   4. Visa/residency clarity and legal stability
   5. Cultural respect and community inclusion

    And yet -- most countries fail to deliver on at least two of these.

WHAT THE IDEAL AGING NATION MUST HAVE?

Here's a blueprint based on successful policy elements from top-performing nations (Sweden, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore):

1. UNIVERSAL LONG-TERM CARE (LTC) SYSTEM:

• • Government-supported or insurance-based LTC funding
  • Home-based care + Community clinics
  • National caregiver training and support programs
  • Model: Japan's Long-Term Care Insurance Act (1997)

2. PORTABLE PENSION OR INCOME INCENTIVE 

• • Government or Employer-funded pensions that are honored across borders
  • Tax treaties or retiree incentives for expat 
  • Model: New Zealand Superannuation portability agreements 

3. LEGAL & TRANPARENT RESIDENCY FOR RETIREES

• • Accessible retirement visa (clear age/income/health rules)
  • Pathways to permanent residency without forced asset relocation
  • Model: Thailand's Retirement Visa+ Philippines SRRV

4.  HEALTH + DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE

• • Affordable insurance access (private or public)
  • Smart elder care tech (telehealth, AI fall sensors)
  • Model: Singapore's Smart nation health monitoring programs

5. AGE-FRIENDLY URBAN PLANNING

• • Walkability, transportation discounts, low-barrier housing
  • Accessible recreations, libraries, and wellness programs
  • Model: WHO Age-Frendly Cities Framework (2010-ongoing)

WHICH COUNTRIES GET IT RIGHT?

THE FEAR FACTOR: WHY MANY RETIREES ARE STILL STUCK?

Despite dreams of retirement abroad, many seniors still feel:

• • Uncertain about healthcare in a foreign system
  • Afraid of running out of money
  • Disconnected from family and familiar culture
  • Confused by legal, tax or insurance requirements abroad

The result? Indecision, stagnation, and anxiety -- when they should be stepping into their most peaceful years. 

CONCLUSION:

The Blueprint for a Retirement-Ready Future

The ideal aging nation is not a fantasy—it’s an achievable vision, already embodied in fragments worldwide. Sweden’s universal home-care system, Singapore’s tech-integrated elder communities, and Portugal’s retiree-friendly tax policies prove that solutions exist. Yet these models remain exceptions, not norms.

To transform aging from a crisis to an opportunity, countries must confront three imperatives: (1) Policy Courage (like Japan’s investment in robotics for elder care), (2) Private-Public Collaboration (Malaysia’s MM2H visa program shows how), and (3) Cultural Shift—where elders are valued as keepers of wisdom, not financial burdens.

The clock is ticking. By 2030, the global senior population will surpass 1.4 billion, and retirees will vote with their feet—and wallets. Nations that act now—prioritizing integrated healthcare, age-friendly urban design, and transparent residency programs—won’t just attract retirees; they’ll pioneer a new social contract for aging. The rest will face a painful reckoning: You cannot build a thriving future if you abandon those who built your past.

The choice is clear: Will your country lead the silver revolution—or become its cautionary tale?

Author's copyright notice:

**Copyright ©2025 Mariza Lendez www.chikicha.com. All rights reserved. 

This article, "Designing the ideal Aging Nation--What Should Retirement REally Look Like?", is part of the Silver Migration series  and is rooted in the author's dissertation, "Designing a Purpose-Driven Retirement Model Based on the IKIGAI Philosophy." 

This original work is protected by copyright. No part may be copied or republished without written permission. If permission is granted, proper attibution to the author and source is required. For licensing, citation, or collaboration request, please contact: info@chikicha.com

NEXT Article Part 5 of 6: "The Countries Left Behind - Who's Failing to Protect Their Aging Citizens?" (July 27)

CITATIONS:

• AARP International. (2022). Global Attitudes Toward Aging Survey. https://www.aarpinternational.org/resources/global-aging-survey
• World Health Organization. (2023). Decade of Healthy Ageing Progress Report. https://www.who.int/initiatives/decade-of-healthy-ageing
• Ministry of Health, Singapore. (2023). SG Age Well Initiave.https://www.agewellsg.gov.sg/
• Japan Ministry of Health. (1997). Long-Term Care Insurance Act. https://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/wp/wp-hw3/dl/2-005.pdf
• New Zealand Ministry of Social Development. (2024). Superannuation and Retirement Income Policy.  https://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/publications-resources/planning-strategy/superannuation/ 

Thanks #Pasja1000 & #StockSnap for these photos @Pixabay

SILVER MIGRATION SERIES – PART 4 POLL - What Makes an Ideal Country to Grow Old In?

PURPOSE: To discover what people truly value when choosing where to retire or grow old -- and how current system meets (or fail) those expectations. 

What do you believe is the most important feature of an ideal aging nation? (Select one)

Which of the following do you fear most about aging in your current country? (Select up to 2)

If you could design the perfect country for retirement, what would you make sure it includes? (e.g., subsidized care, intergenerational housing, visa security, etc.)

"Your answers help shape a new global vision of retirement -- one rooted in dignity, care, and choice. Lets design the aging future we all deserve."