Retiring in the US as a Canadian: what to know first
Immigration, taxes, pensions and health care are the big four. Here's the general picture before you talk to an adviser.
Many Canadians dream of retiring somewhere warm in the US. It can work well, but it's a bigger step than spending winters there. Moving for good touches your immigration status, your taxes in both countries, your pensions and your health coverage. Get the general picture first, then get advice for your own situation.
Start with immigration. The US has no general retirement visa. As a Canadian visitor you can usually stay up to about six months at a time, which is why so many people choose to be snowbirds instead. Living in the US full-time generally requires permanent residence (a green card), which usually comes through close family, a job or a large investment. The Canada to USA guide covers the main routes with official sources.
Taxes come next. When you stop being a resident of Canada, you may face what's often called departure tax, where certain property is treated as if you sold it on the day you leave. Once you become a US resident, the US taxes you on your worldwide income. The Canada-US tax treaty helps prevent double tax, but the rules are detailed. Registered accounts like RRSPs, RRIFs and TFSAs are treated differently in the US than in Canada, so get advice before you move any of them.
Your Canadian pensions can generally follow you. CPP and OAS can be paid to you in the US, though OAS has residence requirements for payments outside Canada, and both may be taxed differently once you live there. Canada and the US have an agreement on social security that can help people who worked in both countries qualify for benefits.
Health care is often the biggest cost surprise. Once you stop living in your province, your provincial health coverage ends. US Medicare generally requires you to be a citizen or a permanent resident who has lived in the US for at least five years in a row, and premium-free hospital coverage depends on your work history. Until then you may need private insurance, which can be expensive at retirement age.
Think about where you'll actually spend your time. Warm places with strong Canadian communities are popular for a reason, but cost of living, hurricane or heat risk and distance to family all matter. The Snowbird Index ranks warm US places on January temperature, sunshine and cost, and the snowbird playbook covers part-year stays.
Before you sell your home or move any money, sit down with a cross-border tax adviser and, if you need a visa, an immigration lawyer. Many retirees start as snowbirds, try a place for a winter or two, and only then decide whether a full move makes sense. You can compare places and find a verified agent on Pinned when you're ready to look.
Step-by-step rules with official sources: Moving between Canada and the USA ›