"Kathleen, just a quick note of concurrence with your Brazil story. I've been working mainly out of Brazil (offshore, for Petrobras) for the past couple of years. I had initial thoughts about buying (fun, warm-hearted people, big beautiful country, strengthening economy, and so on), but they withered due to the factors that you mention--which I'd say are mainly reducable to Brazil's staggering ability to shoot itself in the feet. The process for getting and then continually renewing an offshore working visa has to be experienced to be believed.

"There's an additional issue that you didn't mention: the crime rate. The police and criminals in Rio, for example, are now so well intermingled that the situation there is basically bribery-based civil anarchy, with everybody trying to pretend otherwise. It's a crying shame, as the place does have incredible positives."

-- Keith S., United States

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This Is Your Final Call

Uncle Sam is working quietly, behind the scenes, to put obstacles in place that will make it more difficult for you to broaden your horizons overseas. And much more difficult for you to be in the driver's seat of your own future.

It's not just the banking arena that's under threat.

In 2008, changes to the Veterans Act allowed for an "exit tax" on U.S. citizens who choose to leave the country and end their citizenship.

What other countries have done this in the past? Nazi Germany. Communist Russia. Apartheid South Africa...

This is your civil liberty at stake. How long before you just won't be able to get your assets out of the States?

I'm not an alarmist. I'm a pragmatist. And, as a pragmatic investor, I've seen the writing on the wall for some time. I've worked all these years and with an added sense of urgency more recently to take control of my own life, my own financial future, and, most important to me now, the future of my family.

Now I'd like to offer you a chance to do the same.

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• Retirement Overseas