I get it, everyone’s living their own version of reality. But the whole country burning down? A quite unqualified statement. Meanwhile, the sun is shining and the birds are chirping out here in West Texas. You do you, brother.

Speaking of perspective though, are you planning on working, or do you have substantial savings or remote income? Are you old enough to qualify for the special retirement visa? These are all things to think about and consider for your situation. To answer your question straightforwardly it’s “easy” and “hassle-free” enough to just show up as a tourist with one of the visa exempt countries and get your quick stamp and just leave and come back a day before it expires. But it is something to think about to fine tune your request to adapt to your personal circumstances.

Neither are government benefits such as Social Security or government pensions. A new congress could come in and reduce them.

I'm late. Looks like the poster ended up figuring it out, but in case someone searches about this topic in the future, there is lots of bad advice to just show up to the airport AFTER the entry stamp expires and take the chance the officer buys the story. DO NOT do this, the only correct thing to do is to immediately visit the immigration office with the doctor's note and obtain an official extension. Once you're already expired you're gambling with the law and the mercy of that immigration official at the airport. Best case, you pay a small fine, worst case you get barred from re-entering the country for X amount of years. Additionally, since you're technically an illegal in their country, imagine if you get pulled over randomly by the police on the way to the airport and they check your passport and find out you're illegal and decide to deport you even though you are on your way to the airport. The advice some folks give on social media boggles me sometimes.

The retirement pensions haven't really been keeping up with inflation recently. Getting out at 10 is a good move depending on what skills and certs have been earned. Private sector pays well, it's possible to save like crazy for 3-5 yrs, quit and move to Thailand.

It’s donating funds for their Christmas party, you just misunderstood their accent