Afraid You’ll Never Be Able to Retire? You’re Not Alone. Here’s the Plan.

What if retirement wasn’t scary anymore?

In this episode of Queer Money, we share the real, unfiltered results of a recent Queer Money community poll — and what it reveals about the five biggest fears LGBTQ+ people have about retirement.

From “bag lady energy” to healthcare panic, from how much is enough to where can I live safely and affordably, this episode isn’t about shame — it’s about clarity, strategy, and community.

If you’ve ever wondered:

1. Will I run out of money?
2. What happens if healthcare bankrupts me before Medicare?
3. Can I retire early… or abroad?
4. What if Social Security or Medicare changes?

This episode is for you.

🎯 KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Retirement fear is emotional first — numbers come second
2. Healthcare uncertainty is the #1 wildcard for early retirement
3. Most LGBTQ+ retirees want community + affordability, not luxury
4. Government uncertainty is pushing more people to explore retiring abroad
5. Confidence comes from a plan, not perfection

🎙️ WHY THIS EPISODE MATTERS

This episode marks a turning point — not just for Queer Money, but for how LGBTQ+ people talk about retirement.

1. You are not broken.
2. You are not behind.
3. You just haven’t been shown a roadmap that actually fits your life.
4. And that’s what we’re building — together.

Subscribe so you don’t miss what’s coming next in 2026.

👉 YOUR NEXT STEP

If you’re serious about building confidence — not just hope — start here:

➡️ Get the Happy Gay Retirement Calculator: https://queermoneypodcast.com/hgrcalc

Chapters:

1. 00:00 Intro
2. 00:50 Context
3. 05:15 - “Do I Even Have Enough?”
4. 08:42 - “Healthcare Before Medicare Is Gonna Kill Us”
5. 11:30 - “Where Will We Live?”
6. 14:45 - “The Government Will Mess This Up”
7. 17:29 - “I Want Peace of Mind, Not Just Numbers”
8. 20:03 Outro

Affordable, Safe & Fabulous Places for LGBTQ+ Retirement in France - Gay France!

Imagine waking up to fresh baguettes, strolling cobblestone streets hand-in-hand, sipping €4 rosé in the sun—and spending less than you would in most major U.S. cities.

Bienvenue to your Gay Retirement Fantasy: France Edition

In Queer Money Episode 620, we break down the Top 5 French cities and towns for LGBTQ+ Americans looking to retire affordably, safely, and fabulously. We rank each city using our Queer Money Retirement Rating, weighing:

• → Cost of living
• → LGBTQ+ community & visibility
• → Healthcare & infrastructure
• → Visa & residency realities
• → Taxes (yes, we go there)
• → Lifestyle, walkability & culture

From iconic Paris to underrated southern gems, France may be far more attainable—and queer-friendly—than you think.

🌈 Top Takeaways

• ✔ France offers multiple LGBTQ+-friendly retirement options beyond Paris
• ✔ You can live 40–55% cheaper than NYC in several French cities
• ✔ National healthcare + strong infrastructure = real retiree appeal
• ✔ French visas favor retirees with stable passive income
• ✔ Learning some French dramatically improves quality of life

🔗 Resources & Links

📍 Queer Money Retirement Rating Criteria & City Scorecards - 👉 https://queermoneypodcast.com/cities

📊 Map out when, where, and how you can retire - 👉 Happy Gay Retirement Calculator: https://queermoneypodcast.com/hgrcalc

Chapters

• :00:00 Intro
• 01:12 - Paris
• 04:27 - Montpellier
• 06:57 - About France
• 10:16 - Nice
• 12:39 - Lyon
• 14:58 - Hidden Gems
• 18:03 - Toulouse
• 20:35 Outro

Mentioned in this episode:

Ready to retire where you can be yourself... fully?

Learn more about the Portugal Golden Opportunites Fund with Optimize

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Here!

What the K-Shaped Economy Means for Your Queer Money & Retirement

This episode is brought to you by the letter K — Kiki, killer… and K-shaped economy.

If it feels like some people are living in Taylor Swift box seats while you’re doing math at Dollar Tree, you’re not imagining it. That’s the K-shaped economy in action: one line shooting straight up for the wealthy, while everyone else — including millions of LGBTQ+ folks — slides down the bottom leg.

On Queer Money® episode 619, we break down what the K-shaped economy is, where it came from, how it shows up in your everyday life, and, most importantly, what you can actually do about it. From grocery bills and wage stagnation to stacked vulnerability and early retirement abroad, we connect the dots so you can respond with strategy, not panic.

This isn’t just “the economy.”

It’s your retirement, your stability, your next money move.

TAKEAWAYS

• The K-shaped economy describes two economies at once:
• one group’s income, confidence, and wealth going up, while everyone else slides down.
• Pandemic recovery supercharged inequality: asset owners, high earners, and remote workers jumped ahead while service and frontline workers fell behind.
• High-income households now drive a disproportionate share of spending growth, especially on travel and luxury, while lower-income households are trading down, couponing, juggling bills, and using more credit.
• Groceries and essentials are taking up a bigger percent of low- and middle-income budgets, even when they’re not buying dramatically more.
• Wage growth for low-income earners is at its slowest since 2016, while high-income wage growth is at its fastest.
• LGBTQ+ folks are hit harder because of stacked vulnerability: lower average pay, higher debt, less family support, more career interruptions, more discrimination.
• The K-shaped economy rewards assets, not effort — which is why consistent investing and debt reduction matter so much.
• Early retirement abroad isn’t a fantasy escape; it’s a rational response to lower cost of living + better healthcare + more safety in some countries.
• You can’t fix inequality by yourself, but you can
• Build an FU fund
• Reduce high-interest debt
• Lower fixed expenses
• Invest consistently (even small amounts)
• Think globally about where you live
• Talk honestly about money with your queer community

RELATED QUEER MONEY® EPISODES TO PROMOTE

• “Best Places for LGBTQ+ Retirement in Portugal” (why Portugal keeps winning)
• “Top Cities in Italy for LGBTQ+ Retirement”
• “Retire in Ecuador? LGBTQ+ Retirement Ratings”
• “Affordable Gay-Friendly Cities in the U.S.”
• “Why 72% of LGBTQ+ Folks Feel High Financial Stress”

Chapters

• 00:00:00 Intro
• 02:11:05 What a K-Shaped Economy Actually Is
• 05:18:02 What’s Happening Right Now
• 12:08:04 Why This Matters for the LGBTQ+ Community
• 18:41:00 The Fragility at the Top
• 20:18:23 What You Can Do  
• 23:27:17 Outro

Mentioned in this episode:

Ready to retire where you can be yourself... fully?

Learn more about the Portugal Golden Opportunites Fund with Optimize

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Here!

Italy’s Top 5 Cities for Gay Retirement

Is Italy really the golden, Aperol-spritz-soaked dream Instagram wants you to believe… or is the truth a little more complicated for LGBTQ+ retirees?

This week on Queer Money® we’re ranking the Top 5 cities in Italy for LGBTQ+ retirement — from Renaissance beauty to progressive university towns to sun-drenched coastal havens. We break down the queer vibe, cost of living, rent, language barriers, expat community strength, visa rules, and, of course, the Queer Money Retirement Rating for each city.

Italy may have pasta, Pride, and men in Speedos, but will any city snatch the crown from Portugal or our global frontrunner, Valencia? Time to find out.

What You’ll Learn Today:

• The top 5 best Italian cities for LGBTQ+ retirees
• Where Italy shines — and where rising conservatism complicates things
• How much you’ll pay for rent, healthcare, and daily life
• Which cities have thriving queer communities (and which don’t)
• Whether you could qualify for Italy’s Elective Residency Visa
• Why Italy still can’t take Portugal’s crown 🌈👑

Takeaways:

• Italy is gorgeous — but rising conservatism affects LGBTQ+ protections
• Rent ranges dramatically: from ~$850 in Lecce to ~$1,800 in Rome
• Cost of living is lower than Chicago in every city analyzed
• Florence & Rome: big vibe, big price
• Turin & Bologna: underrated, affordable, queer-friendly gems
• Lecce: the surprise #1 — stunning, coastal, and affordable
• Italy’s visa requires true passive income (no remote work allowed)
• Portugal remains the gold-standard for LGBTQ+ retirees

RELATED EPISODES TO LISTEN NEXT

• Portugal’s Top Cities for LGBTQ+ Retirement (our reigning champion)
• Spain: Valencia & Beyond — The Fab Frontrunner
• Greece LGBTQ+ Retirement Ratings
• New Zealand LGBTQ+ Retirement Ratings
• Taiwan LGBTQ+ Retirement Ratings

✨ Want to know if YOU can retire in Italy (or anywhere abroad)?

Get the Happy Gay Retirement Calculator here: https://queermoneypodcast.com/hgrcalc

Mentioned in this episode:

Ready to retire where you can be yourself... fully?

Learn more about the Portugal Golden Opportunites Fund with Optimize

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Here!

How to pay less taxes with your Boomer Bonus!

Imagine getting an extra $6,000–$12,000 tax deduction just for being born at the right time. No lotto win. No extra hours at work. No sugar daddy required. Just a savvy tax move for Boomers and near-Boomers that could seriously boost your bottom line — financially speaking.

In Queer Money® Episode 617, we break down exactly how the New Boomer Bonus Deduction (2025–2028) works, who qualifies, and the five smartest ways to maximize it like you’re working it on Tax Day. Plus, we walk through three real-ish scenarios to show how smart planning could save you thousands.

If you're 65+ (or within the next four years), this deduction may be your built-in financial facelift — no stitches required.

What You’ll Learn

• What the Boomer Bonus deduction is and how it works (2025–2028)
• Income thresholds, phase-outs, and who qualifies
• The 5 best strategies to maximize your tax savings
• How to use the deduction with Roth conversions, capital gains timing, and more
• 3 sample scenarios showing how Boomers could save thousands

Key Takeaways

• ✔️ A $6,000–$12,000 deduction can offset Roth conversions
• ✔️ Smart capital-gains timing can help keep you in the 0% bracket
• ✔️ This deduction stacks on top of both standard and itemized deductions
• ✔️ The window is temporary: 2025–2028 only
• ✔️ Proper income planning = real money back in your pocket

Chapters:

• 0:00 - Intro
• 00:14 - The Boomer Bonus Deduction
• 02:08 - Maximizing the Boomer Bonus
• 03:02 - Strategies for Managing Your Income and Deductions
• 06:05 - Real Life Tax Scenarios
• 07:35 - Understanding the Boomer Bonus: Maximizing Your Tax Benefits
• 09:30 - Wrap up

👉 Grab your free Happy Gay Retirement Calculator: queermoneypodcast.com/hgrcalc

Mentioned in this episode:

Ready to retire where you can be yourself... fully?

Learn more about the Portugal Golden Opportunites Fund with Optimize

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Here!

Ready for a fabulous gay retirement in Ecuador?

Thinking about retiring abroad? You’re not alone. In Ep. 616 we break down Ecuador—a country that punches above its weight with year-round spring weather, U.S. dollar convenience, solid healthcare, and a much lower cost of living. We cover legal landscape (marriage since 2019; gender recognition 2024), where stigma still shows up, and our Top 5 Ecuador cities for gay retirees—Salinas, Cotacachi, Guayaquil, Quito, Cuenca—with 2BR rent ranges, cost-of-living vs. U.S., and our Queer Money Retirement Rating for each.

Key Takeaways

• Real savings: Many Ecuador cities run ~50–70% cheaper than the U.S., with rents that can be a fraction of stateside prices.
• Climate win: Highland zones offer “eternal spring”—often no A/C or snow shovels.
• Queer reality: Legal wins exist, but visibility and safety vary by city; Quito leads for LGBTQ+ infrastructure, Cuenca for expat ease.
• Trade-offs: Big-city perks vs. crime hot spots (e.g., Guayaquil), beach life vs. tourist pricing (Salinas), quiet charm vs. fewer queer spaces (Cotacachi/Cuenca).

Chapters:

• 00:00 – Intro: Why Ecuador keeps popping for LGBTQ+ retirees
• 02:29 – #5 Salinas (beach town, Vox gay disco): 2BR ~$500–$800 | COL ~50–65% ↓ | Rating 6/10
• 04:37 – #4 Cotacachi (quiet Andean base): 2BR ~$450–$600 | COL ~60–70% ↓ | Rating 7/10
• 06:29 – #3 Guayaquil (big-city energy): 2BR ~$620 | COL ~60–65% ↓ | crime caveat | Rating 7/10
• 09:11 – #2 Quito (capital & queer hub): 2BR ~$675–$1,300 | COL ~54–63% ↓ | Rating 8/10
• 11:40 – #1 Cuenca (expat favorite): 2BR ~$300–$600 | COL ~60–70% ↓ | Rating 9/10
• 13:51 – Next up & wrap up

Links referenced in this episode:

• queermoneypodcast.com/cities
• queermoneypodcast.com/hgrcalc

Mentioned in this episode:

Ready to retire where you can be yourself... fully?

Learn more about the Portugal Golden Opportunites Fund with Optimize

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Here!

Navigating Expat Taxes: Insights for Dream Retirees

Snagged a dream place in Puerto Vallarta or Mykonos… and now the IRS is at the door? Today we’re joined by expat tax expert Michelle Miele (Director of Paperwork) to decode how U.S. taxes work when you retire abroad. We cover Social Security, IRA/401(k)/Roth distributions, self-employment/online business income, countries with and without U.S. tax treaties, foreign tax credits, and common traps (like selling your U.S. home after you change tax residency). Three real-world scenarios—Mexico, Portugal, and Thailand—show you how this plays out.

Key Takeaways:

• Filing ≠ owing. You’ll likely file in the U.S. even after moving, but credits/treaties can prevent double tax.
• Order matters: generally file where you live first, then the U.S., and use foreign tax credits to offset.
• Roth alert: some countries tax Roth distributions; plan timing and residency to protect withdrawals.
• Entity traps: your LLC/S-corp may be treated as a corporation abroad; confirm local treatment before you move.
• Real estate timing: if selling a U.S. primary home, sell while still a U.S. tax resident to preserve exclusions.
• Benefits trade-off: higher taxes in some countries may be offset by much lower healthcare and living costs.

Related Queer Money Episodes:

• Ep 614 — Top 5 Cities for Gay Retirement in Taiwan
• Ep 610 — Best LGBTQ+ Retirement Cities in Greece
• Ep 607 — The $6,000 “Boomer Bonus” Deduction Strategies
• Ep 599 — Affordable Gay-Friendly Cities in Portugal
• Ep 542 — Gay Expats in Mexico: Pacific Coast Edition

Chapters:

• 00:11 - Navigating Taxes as an Expat Retiree
• 03:51 - Understanding Tax Obligations for Expats
• 11:34 - Tax Implications of Living Abroad
• 14:10 - Tax Obligations for Expats: A Case Study
• 21:25 - Retirement Abroad: Tax Implications
• 28:09 - Planning for Retirement Abroad

Mentioned in this episode:

Ready to retire where you can be yourself... fully?

Learn more about the Portugal Golden Opportunites Fund with Optimize

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Here!

Affordable Gay-Friendly Retirement in Taiwan: Top 5 Cities Ranked

Thinking of retiring in Asia where gay rights have advanced and everyday life feels modern and livable? On episode 614 we head to Taiwan to explore one of the region’s most unexpected retirement gems for gay men: full same-sex marriage, vibrant queer culture, lower cost of living and global infrastructure.

Hosts John & David walk you through the Top 5 Taiwanese cities for LGBTQ+ retirement, break down cost of living, queer infrastructure, and the trade-offs you’ll need to know.

What you’ll get in this episode:

• Why Taiwan leads Asia for LGBTQ+ acceptance and what that really means for early retirement abroad.
• City-by-city breakdown of the Top 5: from tranquil towns to the heart of queer nightlife.
• Average 2-bedroom rent (USD), how the cost of living compares to the U.S., and our updated Queer Money Retirement Rating for each city.
• The one major missing piece for U.S. expats: no tax treaty with the U.S. (yet) and what that can mean for your retirement plan.
• How to weigh “affordability + queer culture” when choosing abroad instead of “cheap only”.

Takeaways:

• You can find a modern, livable retirement location in Asia with strong queer rights and lower cost of living.
• Affordability is relative: even the “cheapest” Taiwanese cities are still going to cost something — quality housing, good transport, medical care matter.
• Legal equality (same-sex marriage) is a huge baseline win — but other elements (trans/non-binary inclusion, tax issues) still vary.
• Your personal “vibe” matters: Are you after quiet affordability or full queer community energy? Taiwan offers both ends of the spectrum.
• Always check the tax/financial dimension early when you’re planning overseas retirement — no treaty with the U.S. = extra research required.

What to do next:

If you’re ready to map out your path to gay-friendly early retirement abroad — whether Taiwan or elsewhere — grab your free Happy Gay Retirement Calculator today at: https://queermoneypodcast.com/hgrcalc

Join the conversation: comment, share your experience, or send us your questions about retiring abroad as gay men.

Suggested other episodes you’ll love:

• Episode 610 – “Top 5 LGBTQ+ Retirement Cities in Greece”
• Episode 599 – “Affordable Gay Retirement Cities in Portugal”
• Episode 575 – “Understanding Tax Treaties Before You Retire Abroad”
• Episode 542 – “Bold Retirements: Gay Men in Mexico’s Pacific Coast Towns”

Chapters:

00:00 - Intro

02:22 - Taichung

05:16 - Kaohsiung

07:09 - Tainan

09:10 - New Taipei (suburbs of Taipei)

11:23 - Taipei

15:14 - Outro

Mentioned in this episode:

Ready to retire where you can be yourself... fully?

Learn more about the Portugal Golden Opportunites Fund with Optimize

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Here!

How to Retire in Portugal

Picture it: retiring fabulously in Portugal with LGBTQ+ protections, world-class healthcare, and the freedom to split time between Europe and the U.S.—without uprooting your life today. In Queer Money® episode 613, we sit down with Pedro Lino, CEO of Optimize Investment Partners, to unpack the Portugal Golden Opportunities Fund—a SEC-registered, PFIC-compliant mutual fund designed to qualify investors for Portugal’s Golden Visa (residency now, citizenship later). We cover why a Golden Visa can be smart “life-hedging” in uncertain times, how the fund works (stocks/bonds, no real estate), what’s changing in Europe, using self-directed IRAs, costs, timelines, and how one investment can include your spouse, kids, and even parents through family reunification.

Whether your dream is six months in Lisbon and six months stateside, a second passport for your kids’ future, or a values-aligned Plan B if U.S. politics keeps fraying your nerves, this episode gives you the details to decide with confidence.

Takeaways

• A Golden Visa is optionality: live/work/travel in the EU now or later—without leaving the U.S. immediately.
• Portugal is consistently LGBTQ+ friendly, with significantly lower healthcare costs and robust protections.
• The current path is via eligible investment funds (no real estate); fund must meet strict criteria (≥60% PT companies, no real estate, long-only, five-year availability).
• Self-directed IRAs can be used; look for SEC-registered and PFIC-compliant structures to keep U.S. tax/reporting clean.
• One qualifying investment can include spouse, kids, and parents via family reunification, creating a multi-generational Plan B.

Chapters

• 00:00 – Dream setup & why a Plan B now
• 01:22 – What a Golden Visa actually gives you (residency → citizenship)
• 03:18 – You don’t have to move today: optionality for LGBTQ+ families
• 05:02 – Why Portugal for LGBTQ+ safety, community & healthcare
• 07:10 – Real-estate option removed: what changed and why funds remain
• 10:12 – Inside the Golden Opportunities Fund (eligibility rules, asset mix)
• 13:15 – Returns, risk, and diversification vs. buying a single property
• 16:02 – Using self-directed IRAs; SEC & PFIC compliance explained
• 19:04 – Demand, timelines, and potential policy shifts to watch
• 22:31 – Costs, EUR/USD realities & creative ways families reach €500K
• 26:05 – Family reunification: who can be included under one application
• 28:40 – Downturn strategy: dividend-rich Portuguese market & bonds
• 31:12 – What Optimize handles vs. what U.S. custodians/lawyers handle
• 34:20 – Wrap-up & how to send us follow-up questions

Download your free Happy Gay Retirement Calculator

Mentioned in this episode:

Ready to retire where you can be yourself... fully?

Learn more about the Portugal Golden Opportunites Fund with Optimize

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Here!

Top 5 Cities for LGBTQ Expats Retiring Abroad in the Netherlands

Looking for a country that practically wrote the handbook on LGBTQ acceptance and tops global happiness charts? 🇳🇱 This week on Queer Money, we’re off to the Netherlands — the land of bikes, canals, and unapologetic inclusivity — to uncover the top five Dutch cities for gay retirees.

From Amsterdam’s canal-side rainbow hubs to Eindhoven’s tech-driven calm, we break down where your hard-earned retirement dollars (or euros) stretch farthest while keeping you close to culture, healthcare, and community. You’ll hear why Groningen, Leiden, and Nijmegen are quietly stealing the spotlight from Amsterdam — with lower costs, easy travel, and a “being gay is a non-issue” vibe that makes daily life beautifully ordinary.

Whether you’re a gay expat looking to retire abroad or simply dreaming of a Plan B where equality is a given, this episode explores what makes the Netherlands one of the most LGBTQ-friendly countries on earth and what life can really look like after you hang up the briefcase and pick up a bike bell.

Takeaways:

1. Top 5 Dutch cities ranked for cost, community & queer comfort.
2. Average 2-bedroom rents and cost of living vs. the U.S. average.
3. How Amsterdam’s vibrant scene compares to Leiden or Nijmegen’s calmer pace.
4. Why the Netherlands is a model for LGBTQ equality and safety.
5. Key retirement trade-offs — taxes, healthcare contributions & travel costs.
6. The Queer Money Retirement Rating for each city (1-10 scale).
7. Tips for building your own “Plan B Abroad.”

Ready to map your own finish line? Grab the Happy Gay Retirement Calculator and see how close you are to your dream life abroad. Then explore data on every city we’ve covered so far — from Costa Rica to Portugal to the Netherlands — at QueerMoneyPodcast.com/cities.

💡 Catch past episodes: Costa Rica (#608) & Portugal Golden Visa (#611). Next up: Taiwan — the most surprisingly affordable LGBTQ haven in Asia!

The Netherlands Chapters

• 0:00 - Intro
• 0:22 - The Netherlands
• 1:28 - Amsterdam
• 4:56 - Eindhoven
• 8:45 - Groningen
• 10:26 - Leiden
• 13:00 - Nijmegen
• 14:40 - Netherlands wrap up

Mentioned in this episode:

Ready to retire where you can be yourself... fully?

Learn more about the Portugal Golden Opportunites Fund with Optimize

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Here!

Portugal’s Golden Visa with Your IRA? David’s Path to Investing & Retiring Abroad

What happens when a regular gay man says “enough” to U.S. chaos and starts building a fabulous Plan B abroad? Meet David Govacker, a medical professional who leveraged a self-directed IRA to invest in a diversified fund, qualify for Portugal’s Golden Visa, and set up a life with sunshine, safety, and equality—without Trump-era stress or American price tags. If you’re exploring investing for residency and retiring abroad, this episode is your blueprint.

Top Takeaways:

• Why Portugal? LGBTQ+-affirming culture, stable politics, urban lifestyle, big airports, and easy U.S. access.
• Golden Visa 101: The €500k investment route, residency timeline, and minimal stay rules (think: ~14 days every 2 years).
• Investing via IRA: How a self-directed IRA rollover (not a taxable distribution) can fund a qualifying investment.
• Fund choice matters: Why a diversified, open-ended mutual fund (vs. private equity lockups) matched David’s risk profile.
• Logistics made simple: Paperwork, biometrics, realistic timing, and avoiding tax pitfalls with clean rollovers.
• Plan B → Peace of mind: Build optionality now so you’re not scrambling later.
• Real talk for LGBTQ+ folks: Looking for places where equality is both law and lived.

Perfect for: LGBTQ+ professionals curious about Portugal, the Golden Visa, investing for residency, and retiring abroad—without giving up financial sanity or safety.

Loved this? Share with a friend who’s Golden-Visa-curious, and subscribe for our Netherlands retirement countdown next week.

Download: Get your Happy Gay Retirement Calculator

Mentioned in this episode:

Ready to retire where you can be yourself... fully?

Learn more about the Portugal Golden Opportunites Fund with Optimize

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Here!