Retirement Planning for Americans Abroad

Plan to retire abroad, then learn how to make full use of tax advantaged retirement accounts. David Kuenzi has an interesting article published at Expat Exchange. Read more...

We don't have an affiliation with Mr. Kuenzi, nor do we endorse his advice. However he is a Certified Financial Planner® and has previously held positions with Chase Manhattan Bank, Deutsche Bank and Bank Austria. His financial industry career included postings in New York, London and Moscow. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin and completed graduate work in politics and economics at Columbia University and Harvard University before launching a career in finance. David states,

As investors, we are limited in our ability to affect the long-term performance of stock and bond markets. As taxpayers, however, we have the power to pay more or less taxes depending how well we manage the tax impact of our investment strategies. Proper tax management can add as much as 3% of total
annual return to a stock portfolio*. At that rate, you can add an additional 100% of total return to your investment account in 24 years, simply by making good strategic tax choices.

How To Eliminate Flight Delays

Within airline circles, on-time performance is measured in four ways, known as O-O-O-I which stands for:

1. Out (of the gate)

2. Off (of the ground)

3. On (the ground)

4. In (the gate)

A "departure" is based on many different parameters: when the passenger and/or cargo doors are closed, the operating beacon has been switched on, the brake has been released, or the airplane actually begins rolling. As you can see the "On Time" records and statistics can easily be manipulated. As long as your flight closes the doors an sits on the tarmack for 30 minutes, it could be considered in-flight and on-time.

Is there anyway to check the reliability of flight schedules of airlines? While an airline could record a inaccurate departure time, in most cases it's impossible to conceal a late arrival (which by the way, the DOT defines as 15 minutes or more). When you research an airline's delay and on-time performance we recommend focusing on arrivals rather than departures.

The reality is that most passengers aren't concerned about leaving on time nearly as much as they are about getting there on time. And the airlines know this too. That's why more and more flights have that little extra wiggle room built right in. -Read more at USA TODAY

As you can see, there is nothing a customer can do to eliminate flight delays, but there a many ways an airlines can. All of our Global Citizen and Travel Gap travel insurance clients can sign up to receive alerts for delays at any international airport. You will know if there are weather conditions, airline problems or cancellations which affect all the airports you will be traveling through. For example, clients traveling to the Greece and Europe who signed up for airport travel alerts would have received the following alert by email or SMS text message today:

June 25, 2009. Air Traffic Controllers Strike in Greece .

SOURCE: Air Security International
On 25 June 2009 Greek air traffic controllers staged a nationwide four-hour strike beginning at 0800 local time (0500 UTC), causing flight disruptions across the country. The air traffic controllers' union called the work stoppage to demand tighter controls to reduce radio interference in the communications systems. At Athens International Airport (LGAV/ATH), at least 78 arriving or departing flights were canceled, while 79 others were rescheduled. Airlines were forced to cancel or reschedule both domestic and international flights across the country. At least 32 Olympic Airlines flights were canceled, including flights to Istanbul, Frankfurt, Milan, Brussels, Budapest and Sofia. Agean Airlines canceled 20 flights and rescheduled 40 others, and eight Cyprus Airways flights from Athens were rescheduled. Another four-hour strike by air traffic controllers is scheduled for 27 June.

If you are concerned about your travel investment and are not confident in the airlines customer service, then we advise trip delay insurance. Trip delay insurance won't relieve you of the headaches, but it will limit the financial risk of missed connections and flight cancellations. We recommend our Trip Protector or Roundtrip trip delay and travel cancellation insurance.

Red lights are “optional.”

Interesting article at Escape From America Magazine about the dangers of driving in Rio de Janeiro. Formula One racing is very popular and it seems everyone thinks they are Emerson Fittipaldi. Read More... According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 1.2 million people worldwide are killed every year due to road accidents, and as many as 50 million are injured or disabled.

If you are traveling abroad and plan renting a car, then research the national and local traffic laws before you arrive. This could save you from a frustrating accident, a hefty fine or injury. For example if you're driving in Manila and your license plate ends in the number one or two, then you cannot drive in the city on Mondays from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Beware when driving in Bangkok because most of the one-way roads change direction during certain hours of the day and if you stop at pedestrian crossings in China, you will be fined or receive a warning. Review the Road Safety section of the US Department of State's Country Specific Information, which is available for every country in the world

Do you need an International Driving Permit? Although many countries do not recognize U.S. driver's licenses, most countries accept an International Driving Permit (IDP). IDPs are honored in more than 150 countries outside the United States. (See AAA’s application form for the list of countries). An IDP functions as an official translation of a U.S. driver's license into ten foreign languages. These licenses are not intended to replace valid U.S. state licenses and should only be used as a supplement to a valid U.S. license. IDPs are not valid in an individual’s country of residence.

Purchasing auto insurance is always beneficial. We recommend our Travel Gap travel insurance or Round Trip travel insurance policies which include an optional Rental Car Collision Rider. Not only will it limit your liability, but it also covers personal medical expenses related to auto injuries. Racing excluded:)

HGTV House Hunters International Wants You

From the House Hunters International Production Team:

We're currently looking for families, couples, investment partners, realtors, etc. for the popular US program "House Hunters International" on the HGTV network.
We are looking for people from all nationalities that are in the final stages of closing on a home or have recently bought property in a country outside of the United States. Please contact us promptly if this situation applies to you.

House Hunters International (HHI) explores the idiosyncrasies of buying real estate in other countries. At its core, HHI is a travel/expatriate show. Each episode of this 26-part series will concentrate on the idiosyncrasies of the locales and families, and what makes them special and different. Coverage will put the emphasis on a location’s beauty and uniqueness, as well as the individual family’s journey. What does it actually take to make the move? What are the pitfalls and advantages of investing in the international real estate marketplace? Help us showcase your journey.

To view current episodes of the House Hunters International, you can visit the following website: http://www.hgtv.com/house-hunters-international/show/index.html. Or you can tune into HGTV weeknights at 10/9c.

We are currently casting for episodes to shoot THIS SUMMER... starting in June, and time is of the essence. We have just gotten back from shooting our season starter, but still have many more episodes to cast and shoot within the next few months. If you are interested in being cast in an upcoming episode:

Please email: internationalhunt@gmail.com with a few descriptions about you (your name, info about where you are moving to/from, brief story of your journey, and a photo of the family members involved, etc.)

Once we receive your email, we forward you further casting information, such as where to send a casting video. We look forward to hearing from you.

HHI Production Team

NEW U.S. State Department Recommends Travel Insurance for Travel to China

The U.S. State Department is urging Travelers to China to consider purchasing travel insurance to protect against losses in the event they are quarantined. The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the quarantine measures imposed by the Government of China in response to the 2009-H1N1 pandemic that may affect travel to China. This Travel Alert expires on September 30, 2009.

Current quarantine measures in China include placing arriving passengers who exhibit fever or flu-like symptoms into seven-day quarantine. Although the proportion of arriving Americans being quarantined remains low, the random nature of the selection process increases the uncertainty surrounding travel to China. The selection process focuses on those sitting in close proximity to another traveler exhibiting fever or flu-like symptoms or on those displaying an elevated temperature if arriving from an area where outbreaks of 2009-H1N1 have occurred. We have reports of passengers arriving from areas where outbreaks have occurred (including the U.S. and Mexico) being placed in precautionary quarantine simply because they registered slightly elevated temperatures.

In some instances, children have been separated from their parents because either the parent or the child tested positive for 2009-H1N1 and was placed in quarantine for treatment. This situation presents the possibility of Chinese medical personnel administering medications to minors without first having consulted their parents.

The Department of State has received reports about unsuitable quarantine conditions, including the unavailability of suitable drinking water and food, unsanitary conditions, and the inability to communicate with others.

Travelers to China are reminded that all foreign travelers, including U.S. citizens, are obliged to follow local procedures regarding quarantines and any other public health-related measures. The U.S. Embassy will be unable to influence the duration of stay in quarantine for affected travelers. The Chinese government will not compensate people for lost travel expenses.

For more information on U.S. Government policy during a pandemic, and for travel safety information, please see the State Department’s “Pandemic/Avian Influenza” and “Remain in Country” fact sheets on www.travel.state.gov. Further information about 2009-H1N1 Influenza, including steps you can take to stay healthy, can be found at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control website at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/, the U.S. Government pandemic influenza website at http://www.pandemicflu.gov, and the World Health Organization website at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html.

U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the Department of State’s travel registration website. By registering, American citizens can receive the Embassy’s most recent security and safety updates during their trip. Registration also ensures that U.S. citizens can be reached should an emergency arise either abroad or at home. While consular officers will do their utmost to assist Americans in a crisis, travelers always should be aware that local authorities bear primary responsibility for the welfare of people living or traveling in their jurisdictions.

Please contact us for U.S. Embassy locations and contact information.

Funny Video About Luggage Problems

IN FOCUS: PANAMA

Panama has all the potential to hit the big time as a business and leisure destination: a prosperous capital city, natural resources, rain forests, mountains, historical sites, palm trees, beaches, coral reefs, deep-sea fishing, Spanish-colonial architecture and unusual Amerindian cultures. Plus, it has the Panama Canal, a one-of-a-kind business enterprise that’s also a tourist attraction. U.S. Citizen and expatriates are flooding the Latin America country, taking advantage of the many retirement, tax and banking benefits as well as the U.S. Dollar being the most popular currency for business.

With a few breaks, Panama could be a star. And the country is currently striving to make that happen. More luxury hotels are going up. Roads and other infrastructure have been built that are among the best in Central America.

In many respects, Panama is coming close to rivaling its neighbor Costa Rica. And because it's still less known and less popular than Costa Rica, prices and the costs of doing business there are lower. In addition, the government is planning more public works programs, further tax reforms and more regional trade agreements that should further stimulate growth.

Like most Central American countries the the high weather season is mid-December to mid-April, when it rains the least. Nonetheless, Panama, except for the highlands (where there is year-round springlike weather) and the Azuero peninsula (which is generally hot and dry), is nearly always hot and humid, with days in the 80s-90s F/28-37 C and nights not much cooler.
With the aid of air-conditioning and sea breezes, Panama can be enjoyed all year, though you should expect it to rain daily during the May-November rainy season. You'll need a sweater or jacket in the mornings and evenings in the mountains.

Panama is a constitutional democracy. In the May 2009 presidential elections, Ricardo Martinelli, a conservative supermarket tycoon, reversed a recent trend of left-wing victories in Latin America by taking 61% of the vote to his opponent's 37%. Martinelli, the candidate of a right-wing alliance led by his Democratic Change party, said he would work for a national unity government because that was what the country was calling for.

Historically one of the most stable economies in Latin America, Panama has a well-developed services sector that includes the Panama Canal, banking, insurance, container ports, flagship registry and health care. Gross national product growth is expected to be 3% in 2009.
In July 2006 the government approved a plan to widen the canal to allow larger vessels to travel through. The project, due to be completed by 2014, is expected to have a profound effect on the economy, with a boom predicted following an increase in foreign investment and employment in canal expansion and related projects.

Panama has the highest per-capita domestic product in Central America; nevertheless about 40% of its population lives in poverty and, heavily dependent on trade, the economy will always be vulnerable to external shocks. Fiscal deficits and growing public debt in recent years have increased this vulnerability.

Global Citizen Insurance clients receive up to date country, city, health and security updates for virtually any destination. Call or email us for more details.

Coast Guard Rescues Man from Carnival Cruise Ship

March 30, 2009U.S. Coast Guard

MOBILE, Ala. - The Coast Guard medevaced a man reportedly suffering from chest pain from a cruise ship, approximately 270 miles south of Dauphin Island, Ala. A crewmember aboard the Carnival cruise ship Fantasy contacted the Coast Guard requesting a medevac, stating that a 63-year-old man was having chest pain. Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile launched an HH-60 rescue helicopter and crew, which arrived on scene. The man was taken to U.S.A. Medical Center in Mobile.

His condition is unknown.

The U.S. State Department warns U.S. Citizens to make sure they have health insurance which covers them abroad. It is even stated in your passport. Three things you want to make sure your current health insurance covers:

1. Medical expenses while you are outside the US

2. Emergency medical evacuation

3. Repatriation or mortal remains

Other benefits you might want to make sure you have are travel expenses for a loved one to be flown with you, translation services and 24 hour worldwide assistance. If you need any of the above benefits or have any questions regarding trip or cruise insurance, then please call us at (800) 647-4589.

Need Advice or Want To Help Newcomers Into Your Country?

Help Newcomers to Your Country

If you're already living abroad, help those who are currently packing their boxes and getting their kids ready for the expat adventure by taking 5-10 minutes to fill out Expat Exchange's Moving & Relo Report. Click here to view the reports that others have submitted for your area and other parts of the world. Answer questions about what to bring and leave behind, how you found your home and chose your neighborhood, housing costs and more. Your advice can be instrumental in helping newcomers feel more informed about expat life in your area!

Top 10 Airports

TOP TEN AIRPORTS IN 2009

1. Incheon International Airport (Seoul)
2. Hong Kong International Airport
3. Singapore Changi International Airport
4. Zurich Airport
5. Munich Airport
6. Kansai International Airport (Osaka)
7. Kuala Lumpur International Airport
8. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
9. Central Japan International Airport (Centrair) (Nagoya)
10. Auckland Airport
Source: SkyTrax

No need to travel to Seoul, Korea to receive excellent service. At Global Citizen Insurance, our customer service is unmatched. You can call or email us and expect to speak with a licensed professional who will answser your questions and share professional advice so you can make the best decision regarding international health and travel insurance. We have been featured in American Way in-flight magazine and Cruise Travel magazine. Contact us today!

SWINE FLU - IT'S BACK!!!

Well i guess it never left. The World Health Organization, better known as WHO has raised the SWINE FLU to level 6 which is Pandemic Level. This is the first flu epidemic in over 41 years. This is quite a historical moment in modern day medicine. The last pandemic — the Hong Kong flu of 1968 — killed about 1 million people according to the Associated Press. The New York Times reported the Hong Kong Flu "killed about 700 million people worldwide"

What does that mean for you? If you are traveling abroad, then be prepared for possible delays as foreign and domestic health officials screen for fever and flu symptoms. Worse case scenario is you would be quarantined and not be allowed to travel.

This could be the tip of the SWINE FLU iceberg, other possible affects are decreased global trade, local and regional panic or global hysteria.

As always keep a level head, be informed and prepared. Receive up to date Country and City Health Profiles when you apply for our Global Citizen or Travel Gap international health insurance policies.

Check Your Luggage Online & SAVE TIME

You can check in and print your boarding pass online but many people don't realize you can also check your luggage in online with many airlines. Simply pay online with your credit card, then drop your bags off at the "Web Bag Drop" counters available through some airlines.

NCR research (http://www.ncr.com/) says that it takes about one-quarter of the time to check in for a domestic flight with a kiosk instead of a ticket agent.

Sorry, there's still no electronic solution for taking your shoes off to get through security.

Quote for Your Week

"We make our world significant by the courage of our questions and by the depth of our answers." - Carl Sagan

Knowledge is key. We try to prepare our clients with the necessary information to receive assistance and medical care when traveling. This vital information can be retrieved by accessing our website, mobile device or telephone.

Our clients have access to Country, City, Security and Health data for your destination.

Our clients have access to drug and medical phrases translations

Our clients have access to English speaking doctors and medical centers in 180 countries

Need travel assistance or international health insurance? Please call or email us for personal service.

NEW Border Rules Begin Today, June 1, 2009

Headed to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean?

Here's a tip: Take your passport to avoid a headache coming home. New Border rules require you to have a passport or passport card to enter the US.

Receive up to date and useful country, city, security and health profiles when you purchase a Global Citizen, Travel Gap or Trip Protector international travel insurance policies.