Belize is vastly becoming one of the hottest countries to retire nowadays. If you are one to join the bandwagon, then be sure to know all about the attractive retirement program that awaits you, once you have decided to retire in Belize. The Retirement Person Incentive Act has been designed by the government to attract foreign retirees, including their dependents, to choose Belize as their country of retreat and become what they call as ‘Qualified Retired Persons’. If you retire in Belize, the main incentives are the following: • Taxes from personal belongings like approved means of transportation (it can be motor, boat or light aircraft vehicle). • There is a maximum exemption of USD 15,000 for tax/duty household item. This includes all income generated abroad from work or investments. Before you retire in Belize, you must first know the general requirements for application. You have to be at least 45 years old in order to submit an application to retire in Belize. The retirement program generally accepts nationalities from Canada, United States of America, United Kingdom and Belizeans. Take note that Belize citizens can only apply if they have been permanent residents of the nations aforementioned. The required proofs for application are the following: • A document showing a monthly pension of at least USD 1,000. • Revenue certificates which are generated from current investments. Retirement applicants should deposit at least USD 2,000 monthly to a local Belize banking institution. • All the financial deposits should be in US dollars only. • A contract will be signed by the 'Qualified Retirement Person' that the agreed deposits will be made regularly. • Police records and clearance from previous country of residence should be presented. • A medical certificate, along with a recent HIV test must be submitted together with the completed application form. • If the qualified applicant wish to leave the program and renounce his or her status, all imported assets declared under the Retirement Persons Act must be liquidated accordingly, as stated on the program. Getting to know the country is also a must when relocating and retiring Belize. Take note that Belize is a former colony of the United Kingdom and they are the only Central American country with English as the national language. Its neighboring countries are Guatemala on the west and south; and Mexico is located on its north. The country’s currency is called the Belizean Dollar (BZD) and its value is approximately half of the US dollar (depending on foreign exchange rates). The major religion is Roman Catholic which is followed by half of the populace and the a fourth are Protestants. Other religions present are Hinduism, Taoism, Buddhism and Islam.