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France mulls plan for gay retirement homes

A report on how to improve life for France’s elderly homosexual population has recommended creating separate retirement homes for the country's aging gay population. France's Minister for the Elderly is believed to be open to the idea.

France mulls plan for gay retirement homes
Will France soon have retirment homes specifically for its aging gay population? Photo: Francois Guillot/AFP

The report was put together by two LGBT associations tasked with looking into how later life for members of the country’s gay population can be improved.

The associations made 23 proposals to France’s Minister for the Elderly, Michèle Delaunay the stand-out one being the creation of state-run retirement homes specifically for gay people," French daily Le Figaro reports.

The motivation for the homes would be to protect elderly gay people from homophobia, the gay-rights associations say. 

In the proposal the associations say the specialist homes would also be able to cater for the high proportion of HIV positive people among the elderly gay population, who require special care.

According to the Le Figaro which reported on the proposals, Delaunay has greeted the suggestion with a “favourable neutrality”.

The minister would look upon gay retirement homes in the same way as certain faith based accommodation for the elderly that already exist in France where residents are united by a certain set of beliefs, Le Figaro states quoting sources close to Delaunay.

Retirement or nursing homes based on common values or history already exist in France. There are homes specifically single women and others for those who spent their lives working in certain industries like French railways.

A retirement home designed for gay people is already in the process of being built in France. Earlier this year The Local reported how the mayor of a tiny village in the Aude region of southern France was angered after unwittingly approving plans for a ‘gay village.’

The mayor said the plan by British firm The Villages Group to gear the luxury village towards retired or holidaying gay people had been kept in the closet. 

The difference between this ‘gay village’ in the Aude and the proposed retirement homes for homosexuals put forward this week by the LGBT associations is that it is a luxury scheme run by a private company and not funded by the state.

For some sociologists the creation of retirement homes for certain specific communities is an inevitable development for an increasingly aging population.

“When it comes to old age, we no longer have the strength to leave our world to start a new story. All our lives we are faced with changes and we adapt to them. But in the twilight of our existence we cling to communities with core values and shared experiences," François de Singly from Paris-Descartes University told Le Figaro.

“They are not a threat to the social bond.”

Retirement homes for gay people already exist in other European countries with Sweden opeing its first home earlier this month. Resident and association vice-chair Lars Mononen told The Local Sweden that the home is meant to be a place where members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities can feel comfortable in their later years.

"We don't have kids, generally, and often aren't that close to other family members, and when you stop working you really miss that social interaction," said Mononen.

The proposal for gay retirement homes in France will be included in the consultation launched on Friday by French Prime Minister Jean Marc Ayrault designed to look at the reforms to deal with the “adaption to an aging society”.

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COST OF LIVING

EXPLAINED: How Americans can retire in Switzerland

A tranquil, peaceful and safe country, Switzerland's appeal is undeniable. Here's how Americans can retire in Switzerland.

Two people hold up their American passports in a European town square
While it is not easy for Americans to retire in Switzerland, it is fortunately not impossible. Here's what you need to know. Photo by Spencer Davis from Pexels

With clean streets, tranquil vibes and low crime rates, Switzerland is a perfect place to retire. 

People from across the world have flocked to Switzerland to spend their later years, with American singer Tina Turner, Canadian singer Shania Twain, British musician Phil Collins and Swedish businessman Ingvar Kamprad – of IKEA fame – among the many who have all chosen to spend their twilight years in the alpine nation. 

For Americans – or indeed anyone – looking to retire in Switzerland, the good news is you don’t need to be world famous in order to do so. 

You will however need to jump through a few hoops. 

The rules for retiring differ on the basis of whether you are from an EU/EFTA state or not, with the US, UK, Australia, India and Israel being some of the many examples of ‘third countries’. 

If you are not American, click the following link for information on how to retire in Switzerland. 

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about retiring in Switzerland

Here’s what you need to know. 

How can Americans retire in Switzerland

There are two broad categories of Americans wanting to retire in Switzerland: those who already live here with valid working permits – and those who still live in the United States. 

If you worked or are working in Switzerland on a valid residence permit, retirement is unlikely to be difficult at all. 

Switzerland has a retirement age of 65 for men and for women. The retirement age for women was raised from 64 to 65 in June 2021. 

If you fit into this category, then please check our our extensive guide on pensions in Switzerland. 

EXPLAINED: How does the Swiss pension system work – and how much will I receive?

But if you currently do not live in Switzerland/have a Swiss residence permit and would like to retire here, this is still possible. 

How can non-residents including Americans retire in Switzerland? 

In order to be granted a visa to retire in Switzerland, you need to have: 

  • Adequate financial resources and proof you will not look for work in Switzerland;
  • A close connection with Switzerland;
  • You must have Swiss health and accident coverage.

These points are dealt with individually below. 

How does the process work?

If you come from outside the EU / EFTA, you must apply for a visa with a Swiss diplomatic/consular mission in your country of residence, i.e. in the United States. 

First, they will check that you don’t have any criminal records.

You must be 55 years of age or older to move to Switzerland from abroad in order to retire. The Swiss retirement age is 65. 

You will need to demonstrate a close link to Switzerland.

This can be past residency, family ties or even frequent holidays in Switzerland can suffice as evidence of a close connection. 

Real estate can be a factor, although keep in mind that owning property in Switzerland is no guarantee of a close connection. 

Reader question: Does owning a second home in Switzerland give me the right to live there?

Also, in order to be considered, you must prove that you have enough financial resources to live in Switzerland without having to work or claim welfare benefits.

You do not have to transfer the bulk of your financial interests to Switzerland, although this is likely to help illustrate that you have enough financial resources to move there. 

You can transfer your pension to Switzerland provided there’s a bilateral arrangement with your country of origin. More information is available here. 

READ MORE: How to get a visa to retire in Switzerland

The eventual decision is made by cantonal authorities and is often highly discretionary.

Tina Turner, who has lived in Château Algonquin in Küsnacht, Zurich, since 1994, is perhaps the most prominent American who has retired in Switzerland. 

While speaking a Swiss language is a pre-requisite of citizenship, as with plenty of other things, the authorities appear willing to make exceptions when the price is right or when you’re the honorary mayor of Nutbush City.

Turner gave up her American citizenship in 2013 and became a Swiss citizen, despite not speaking German, French or Italian.

Which brings us to…

Money helps grease the wheels

A little-known article of the Swiss law — Article 30 of the Federal Aliens Act — allows wealthy foreigners from outside Europe to move to Switzerland.

Cantons can issue residence permits B to these people, if local authorities deem that there is a “significant fiscal interest” in such a move.

Golden visas: Everything you need to know about ‘buying’ Swiss residency

What exactly does “significant fiscal interest mean?” 

This term is defined by each canton.

For instance, the lowest annual tax rate for a non-EU foreigner is 287,882 francs in Valais, 312,522 francs in Geneva, and 415,000 Vaud. 

Every year, around 40 to 50 people ‘buy’ their way into Switzerland this way, as reported by TagesAnzeiger, which used the numbers published by the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM).

How much should you save for a ‘comfortable’ retirement in Switzerland?

To maintain the usual standard of living during retirement, residents of Switzerland need more savings nowadays than four years ago, according to an analysis by UBS bank, which compared the pension systems of 24 countries.

In 2017, the last time UBS conducted a similar study, that number was 11 percent.

The new UBS International Pension Gap Index found that “the Swiss pension system still enjoys a high reputation. However, contrary to other countries, it is more difficult to push through urgently needed reforms to ensure this reputation will last”.

Click the following link for more information

READ MORE: How much should you save to retire in Switzerland?

Please note: As with all of our explainers, they are intended as a guide only and do not constitute legal or financial advice. Please discuss any financial decisions with a certified expert in the field. 

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