US Retirement Migration to the Philippines: Reasons and Explanations for Later-Life Migration

Studies of retirement migration in the United States often focus at the national level, and there is comparatively little information about the retirees who cross international borders in their search for new homes.  Retirement migration flows are unusual in that the late-life migrants select destinations in less-developed countries, contrary to the general pattern of migration from poor to rich countries in search of jobs, higher incomes and a better standard of life.  This study has examined the reasons for retirement migration from the United States (US) to The Philippines using data collected from different locations in The Philippines. A non-random sample of 141 US retirees was surveyed.  The findings identify four major reasons for migrating to Mexico: financial circumstances, the natural environment, a sense of community and friendship, and finding life/sexual partners.  While these relocations contradict much taken-for-granted and popular knowledge about migration patterns around the world, they have important implications for the ways of life, social relationships and welfare of the migrants.  More in-depth multidisciplinary studies are needed to increase understanding of this evolving phenomenon.