You wake up to a warm tropical breeze, with the sun shining through the open window and down onto the clay-colored tile floor. It's warm but not hot, and you can smell the ocean in the breeze. You smile to yourself, as you do every morning. After all; this is retirement and you're in paradise.

You step outside with your morning cup of coffee to take in the beginning of another beautiful day. Under the palm trees next door you can see Hank speaking with his gardener. Hank is a retired fire fighter, and he threw a wonderful barbecue last week when the kids were visiting. You can't help but think you were lucky to find such a nice community for your retirement.

You lean back to consider all the things you could do today. A little snorkeling? Perhaps a walk on the beach. Maybe even a day-trip to some tourist destination. But you shrug off all those ideas, deciding instead to just relax and soak up the sun. After all, this is your retirement and you're not going anywhere soon.

This is the kind of retirement dream that drives millions of people to sacrifice life's little luxuries. Maybe you skip a dinner out or shop with coupons, or forego the daily Starbucks, just to make that dream possible.

But the events of the last few months have caused some serious belt-tightening and sadly pushed that dream farther out of reach for many, calling into question what their golden years might soon look like.

But as we tell you here at the Sovereign Society, there is always a choice. And if you don't know about it, the decision is often made for you.

So here's the choice; a shot at retiring under the Florida sun or a sure thing with the Belizean sun.

You see, you didn't make all of those little sacrifices in vain, and you definitely didn't make them so that you would have to keep on sacrificing after you retire. So today's article is from a man who has an opportunity worth considering if you still want to live that dream.

Michael Cobb is a member of our Council of Experts and the Chairman & CEO of Gran Pacifica, the community described in the above example. While you may have thought we were describing a South Florida retirement community, we were actually in a unique expatriate community in South America.

His company - ECI development - engineers communities in Latin America for expatriates. It's important here to note that they're not just building houses or sub-developments; ECI engineers the entire community.

From a stable electrical supply to storm drainage and cobblestone sidewalks, everything is constructed to meet your expectations of a great community. From basic utilities to golf courses and tennis courts, ECI has all their bases covered. And with a special focus on building a sense of community between residents, you're bound to feel perfectly at home.

But I must admit, there is one significant difference between Gran Pacifica and the South Florida retirement community. And no, it's not shuffleboard. It's the price.

Without further adieu, Michael Cobb;

Dear Friends,

Today I write with some disturbing news about North American Baby Boomers and the state of their retirement funds. The alarm bells have been going off ever since a shocking report was released by Ernst and Young in June.

The report warns of massive shortfalls in retirement savings on the part of many pending retirees. It talks about drastic cutbacks in lifestyle and quality of life to ensure than many don't outlive their nest eggs.

In E&Y's words:

1. Many of the 77 million baby boomers retiring over the next few years will face unprecedented challenges in maintaining their standard of living in retirement.

2. The analysis finds that almost three out of five middle-class new retirees can expect to outlive their financial assets if they attempt to maintain their current pre-retirement standard of living. To avoid outliving their financial assets, middle-class retirees will have to reduce their standard of living, on average, by 24 percent.

3. Many Americans will have to reduce their standard of living significantly due to fluctuating investment returns and the probability of spending more years in retirement.

Source: Ernst & Young LLP "Retirement Vulnerability of New Retirees: The Likelihood of Outliving their Assets"

It's shocking to realize that 60% of retirees will have to cut their lifestyle by a quarter or more just to have enough to survive. Survive? What about thriving and enjoying the best of things in retirement?

It is precisely because of these realities that retirement in the tropics is gaining popularity. In fact, already nearly 500,000 US citizens pick up their social security checks at embassies around the world. And the number of Canadians overseas is climbing rapidly.

These folks know that you can actually have a substantially higher quality of life for much less money. And the majority has chosen Latin America as their new place to call home.

Unfortunately, there will be many who accept their fate and live reduced lives in their retirement years. Quite a tragedy considering that there is an alternative. But people are resourceful. And when they open their eyes to what you already see, they will discover they can have a fuller, richer life and truly experience the "Golden Years" in a fashion they never imagined possible.

For you; however, timing is critical. The dynamics of supply and demand reward early action. You could soon have the information you need to make a wise and timely decision. Act now and be at the front edge of the price curve.

For example, an oceanfront condominium at Gran Pacifica starts at $149K. Homes overlooking the 18-hole golf course under construction begin at $160K. In Belize you can enjoy the Caribbean island lifestyle with residences starting at $169K. These prices make an Oceanside retirement dream achievable for the vast majority of North Americans...but they won't last.

And cost of entry is only part of the equation. The more important part is quality of life. Remember, a full-time maid and part-time gardener will cost you less than $150 per month and dramatically change the way you live. Imagine: no more chores...ever.

And it gets better. Imagine the years of fun you'll have with kids and grandkids swimming in the ocean, beachcombing for shells, teaching them to ride a horse, snorkeling, sailing, fishing, exploring 400-year-old-cities, hiking in the rain forest, or just kicking back and reading Dr. Seuss to them under the shade of a palm tree.

The choices are nearly boundless and the opportunity to create a unique and exciting set of memories for them will become part of your legacy gift to them. A gift that they will tell their kids and grandkids about too.

Take a look at our website right now, where you can send me a note or listen to a recorded message from me explaining what we do in more detail. Ask about our $99K Casita Special and the 8.75% financing for it. We'll see what makes sense for you and schedule a time to visit. Nothing beats seeing something with your own eyes to confirm a great idea. Keep in touch and come visit. Until then, all the best.

Michael Cobb
Chairman and CEO
www.granpacifica.com

P.S. Michael was one of many unique speakers at The Sovereign Society's 3rd Annual Offshore Advantage Academy, where attendees were presented with a host of different opportunities for maximizing their retirement, protecting their assets and minimizing their tax burdens. For access to recordings and PowerPoint slides from all their presentations click here.