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.

• 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

• 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:

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Faster Here!

Want a European passport with access to living in nearly any European country? Just click the link below to find out how.

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Here!

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Here!

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:

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Here!

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Faster Here!

Want a European passport with access to living in nearly any European country? Just click the link below to find out how.

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Here!

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.

• 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.

• 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:

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Faster Here!

Want a European passport with access to living in nearly any European country? Just click the link below to find out how.

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Here!

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Here!

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.

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!

• 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:

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Faster Here!

Want a European passport with access to living in nearly any European country? Just click the link below to find out how.

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Here!

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Here!

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:

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Here!

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Faster Here!

Want a European passport with access to living in nearly any European country? Just click the link below to find out how.

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Here!

Sunset cocktails, rainbow macaws, and a budget that doesn’t need CPR—Costa Rica’s Pura Vida isn’t just a postcard; it can be your retirement reality. In this week’s Queer Money®, we’re counting down the Top 5 Costa Rican towns for LGBTQ+ retirees—from the surf vibes of Tamarindo to the gay beach haven of Manuel Antonio.

We break down which areas offer the best mix of affordability, healthcare access, safety, and queer-friendly community, all while keeping the tropical dream alive. Whether you’re after cool mountain breezes or jungle-meets-ocean sunsets, Costa Rica has a place with your name (and rainbow flag) on it.

Takeaways:

• Why Costa Rica is one of the most stable, eco-conscious, and LGBTQ-friendly countries in Central America
• 🏖️ 5 top towns ranked for livability, cost of living, and queer community vibes
• 💸 How much you’ll actually spend on rent and daily life (spoiler: 30–50% less than the U.S.)
• 🌈 Where to find the best nightlife, nature, and new queer neighbors
• 💡 How to use our Happy Gay Retirement Calculator to see if Costa Rica fits your fabulous future

Links referenced in this episode:

• queermoneypodcast.com/cities

Mentioned in this episode:

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Faster Here!

Want a European passport with access to living in nearly any European country? Just click the link below to find out how.

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Here!

In this episode, we flip the “lottery tax” trope on its head. No, we didn’t win Powerball (unless you count $6 and a gas station coffee). But by treating the lottery as a game for our values, we got crystal clear on what mattered most—and that’s how we built our plan for early retirement.

💡 Takeaways from this episode:

• Why “lottery talk” is actually a powerful tool for aligning money with values.
• How dreaming big (designer wardrobes, Audis, Palm Springs) led us to focus on what we really want—security, real estate, business growth, giving back.
• How to use fantasy conversations to get your partner on the same money page.
• Why clarity kills hedonic treadmill spending—and gets you closer to early retirement.
• The secret: those “lottery dreams” are often more accessible today than you think.
• 
  

🎧 Grab your free Happy Gay Retirement Calculator in the show notes and start designing your fabulous future—no lottery win required.

Mentioned in this episode:

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Faster Here!

Want a European passport with access to living in nearly any European country? Just click the link below to find out how.

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Here!

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Here!

We rank the Top 5 Greek cities/towns for gay retirement—balancing affordability with LGBTQ+ vibe—so you can swap doomscrolling for island sunsets without blowing the budget. Expect bars and beaches, Pride scenes, healthcare access, average 2-BR rent in USD, cost of living vs. the U.S., and our Queer Money Retirement Ratings (1–10).

• Greece now has full marriage equality (2024)—hello, EU stability + rainbow rights.
• Crete = best value (Heraklion/Chania) if you want beaches without Mykonos prices.
• Athens wins for healthcare, community, and year-round living.
• Island glam = seasonal pricing—plan accordingly.
• A smart pick comes down to rent + COL + community fit—our ratings slightly overweight affordability.

👉 Want your own Opa-moment? Grab the FREE Happy Gay Retirement Calculator and see if Greece fits your fabulous.

👉 For our running city cards, visit https://queermoneypodcast.com/cities

Mentioned in this episode:

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Here!

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Faster Here!

Want a European passport with access to living in nearly any European country? Just click the link below to find out how.

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Here!