US should help retirees move south of the border

[PlayadelSoul]

Originally Posted by Michele

Not to hijack this thread but....we just had to replace our pool pump. Hubby went to the recommended pool supply store and was told the pump we need was 10,000 pesos. Sent my mexican friend in the next day and he walked out the door with the came pump for 3600 pesos. Hmmm.

I have never had that much of a difference. Then again, I don't have a pool. :p

[roni]

Originally Posted by sctx

not have to, but i think if they do, it only helps increase the minimum wage at a faster pace than what the upper class citizens would want to see. I'm sure you would be for that, you can't move there just to take advantage of the local labor situation can you??? (even though alot of Americans and Euros do just that)

It is not just the upper class who have at least part time house staff. I am not in favor paying exobitant (by local standards) wages. I am for paying above the minimum wage and providing, at a minimum, the customary benefits - which in Mexico includes a Christmas bonus, paid vacation, paid holidays, enrollment in IMSS and other things. Here is a pretty good website detailing some of the legally required benefits. I think that if Kathy and I ever had household staff, they would make somewhere between the low end and the high end of the scale - and it would probably be more than the roughly calculated median wage.

[Jacko]

Originally Posted by sctx

not have to, but i think if they do, it only helps increase the minimum wage at a faster pace than what the upper class citizens would want to see. I'm sure you would be for that, you can't move there just to take advantage of the local labor situation can you??? (even though alot of Americans and Euros do just that)

I agree with this point...or they could just unionize to get higher pay

[roni]

Originally Posted by Jacko

I agree with this point...or they could just unionize to get higher pay

You and that sctx - freaking liberals

[sctx]

Originally Posted by roni

You and that sctx - freaking liberals

yep, always lookin out for the little guy

[roni]

Originally Posted by sctx

not have to, but i think if they do, it only helps increase the minimum wage at a faster pace than what the upper class citizens would want to see. I'm sure you would be for that, you can't move there just to take advantage of the local labor situation can you??? (even though alot of Americans and Euros do just that)

It really is not an issue of the minimum wage - the daily general minimum wage in Quitana Roo is 45.81 pesos. In Mexico, there are three regions with slightly different minimum wages - and they vary by occupation. This link will take you to a table of current and historical minimum wages for each of the regions, both the general minimum and the minimum by occupation. Remember, these are daily wages, not hourly wages and they are in pesos.

So, the wages of 15-30 pesos an hour for domestic help - those that I mentioned- are all well above the minimum wage - even for what are relatively high wage jobs in the USA.

[Jacko]

Originally Posted by roni

It really is not an issue of the minimum wage - the daily general minimum wage in Quitana Roo is 45.81 pesos. In Mexico, there are three regions with slightly different minimum wages - and they vary by occupation. This link will take you to a table of current and historical minimum wages for each of the regions, both the general minimum and the minimum by occupation. Remember, these are daily wages, not hourly wages and they are in pesos.

An issue nonetheless, I'd wager.

[StevedeSD]

Cynic that I am toward politicians, I do not have hope that medicare coverage will be extended to Mexico. They will continue collecting my taxes, ignore my earned benefits, disenfranchise more citizens, and get re-elected frightening the voters of Kansas over immigration.
Shortly, we will be retired in Playa and our biggest expense will be medical insurance. Worth every peso!

[Seakony]

I don't see why we would have to help people retire to Mexico...are you talking about financially? Does that also mean that all that social security dollars are also going to be spent in Mexico? Sounds like that will hurt the US economy more. My Neighbor Evelyn and her late Husband looked into retiring there. She nixed it because she knew when he died she would be all alone with no family to check on her. I feel the same way.We have it all worked out so when Slim retires, everything will be paid for. If push came to shove and money got tight, we could do a reverse mortgage for extra cash. When I get old, I want my doctors and good hospitals. We have already joined AARP. My parents had AARP and never had to spend any extra money for anything. They both ended up in a nursing home due to Alzthimers. They got the best of care and had family looking out for their best interest.
I love to visit Mexico but would not live there. I would miss all my comfort creatures.

[roni]

Originally Posted by Seakony

I don't see why we would have to help people retire to Mexico...are you talking about financially? Does that also mean that all that social security dollars are also going to be spent in Mexico?
................
I love to visit Mexico but would not live there. I would miss all my comfort creatures.

Good for you! I think people should live where they want to.

Social Security goes wherever the person is. Lots of people live out of the US and collect their social security.

[Jacko]

Originally Posted by Seakony

I don't see why we would have to help people retire to Mexico...are you talking about financially? Does that also mean that all that social security dollars are also going to be spent in Mexico? Sounds like that will hurt the US economy more. My Neighbor Evelyn and her late Husband looked into retiring there. She nixed it because she knew when he died she would be all alone with no family to check on her. I feel the same way.We have it all worked out so when Slim retires, everything will be paid for. If push came to shove and money got tight, we could do a reverse mortgage for extra cash. When I get old, I want my doctors and good hospitals. We have already joined AARP. My parents had AARP and never had to spend any extra money for anything. They both ended up in a nursing home due to Alzthimers. They got the best of care and had family looking out for their best interest.
I love to visit Mexico but would not live there. I would miss all my comfort creatures.

I will NOT join AARP...they cannot get me to do it! Despite repeated mailers etc....I am just too young for that!

[PlayadelSoul]

I won't join the AARP, even when I am of that age. They are worse than the unions when it comes to politically redirecting money.

If one works and earns Social Security, they should be able to spend it anywhere they please. It is not Government money so they cannot dictate how it is to be spent. They might want you to think it is thanks to their largesse that you recieve it, but that is a crock.

[TAPPY]

I dont know if I want to retire in any ONE place. I think I would like to keep a small home (or condo) in the States...and have a condo some place else(like Mexico). The best of both worlds.

[alwaysmissinpdc]

Originally Posted by StevedeSD

Cynic that I am toward politicians, I do not have hope that medicare coverage will be extended to Mexico. They will continue collecting my taxes, ignore my earned benefits, disenfranchise more citizens, and get re-elected frightening the voters of Kansas over immigration.
Shortly, we will be retired in Playa and our biggest expense will be medical insurance. Worth every peso!

I'm not sure it has to be extended. I hope someone else can clarify...
I was chatting with an American retiree at Java Joe's one morning last November and he told me he pays out of pocket, but submits receipts to get reimbursed for medical expenses. The thing is, I can't remember if it was private health insurance or Medicare.

[denisea]

Originally Posted by TAPPY

I dont know if I want to retire in any ONE place. I think I would like to keep a small home (or condo) in the States...and have a condo some place else(like Mexico). The best of both worlds.

Love this idea... that's what Keith and I have been leaning towards.