Here Is the Best Country to Retire to Right Now by Alix Langone Getting close to retirement and thinking about relocating or becoming a snowbird? Then you may want to consider moving farther south than you had envisioned. This week, Panama was named the top place to retire in International Living’s Annual Global Retirement Index. It was the small Central American country’s 10th time winning the honor in 29 years, and some of the reasons why may surprise you.