Attractiveness and Challenges of Retiring in the Greater Bay Area in the Post-Pandemic Period: Examining the Impact of Portability of Public Benefits and Social Support Network on Cross-Border Retirement Choices

With the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), collaborations between Hong Kong and other GBA cities have expanded both in scope and scale. Cross-boundary retirement has become an increasingly important issue that has garnered attention from various stakeholders. In 2019, approximately 538,000 Hong Kong residents lived in Guangdong province, including 89,000 individuals aged 65 or older. The Thematic Household Survey 2019 conducted by the Census and Statistics Department revealed that 266,200 Hong Kong residents expressed a strong interest in retiring in GBA Mainland cities.

The interest in cross-boundary retirement stems from the fact that long-term care services for older people in Hong Kong are severely lacking, as highlighted during the fifth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the limited availability of land and manpower for long-term care services in Hong Kong, it is unlikely that the issue of long-term care for older people can be easily resolved in the near future. Therefore, cross-boundary retirement is seen as a potential solution to this challenge.

The opportunities and challenges presented by the development of the GBA provide an opportunity to reassess the feasibility of cross-boundary retirement. The main objective of our study is to understand the perspectives of Hong Kong residents on cross-boundary retirement, particularly their desire to retire in GBA Mainland cities. We also aim to identify the attractions and obstacles of cross-boundary retirement, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the views of Hong Kong residents. Additionally, we will focus on the portability of public benefits and the availability of social support networks, and how these factors influence the choice of retirement locations.

To conduct our investigation, we have conducted in-depth interviews with a purposive sample of 45 Hong Kong residents who have already retired in the GBA, as well as 23 Hong Kong residents who have expressed an intention to retire in the GBA. Through these interviews, we aim to gain insights into their retirement arrangements and the factors that influence their choices. Furthermore, we have conducted comparative analyses of policies between Hong Kong and other GBA Mainland cities, specifically examining the provision of cash benefits, healthcare, long-term care services, and other public subsidies. This analysis aims to understand the portability of these public benefits and how they can enhance the lives of cross-boundary retirees.

The findings from our in-depth interviews reveal that the GBA is increasingly seen as a viable retirement destination for Hong Kong residents, offering a better quality of life compared to what they can expect in Hong Kong. However, a major obstacle to choosing to retire in the GBA is the uncertainty surrounding the Mainland's medical system and the concern that they may no longer have access to the high-quality medical services they are accustomed to in Hong Kong.

Another significant finding is that Hong Kong residents have limited knowledge of the social services available in GBA Mainland cities and are unaware of platforms where they can obtain relevant information. While it is now easier for Hong Kong retirees in the GBA to maintain connections with their families and friends in Hong Kong, integrating into their local retirement communities remains a challenge, even for those who wish to do so. However, we are encouraged to learn that some participants are determined to consider themselves as members of the local communities and are actively trying to establish new social networks. Nevertheless, they require assistance in this regard. Additionally, our comparative policy analysis highlights the importance of Hong Kong residents establishing their social security and medical care rights in the Mainland cities where they plan to retire, and doing so as early as possible.

Lastly, we have found that the idea of establishing care and attention homes in the GBA for Hong Kong residents is outdated and impractical. Instead, we recommend shifting our focus to a strategy that facilitates Hong Kong residents' retirement in the GBA, allowing them to view cross-boundary retirement as a viable option for planning a better retirement life.

Based on our research, our team recommends the following actions:

(1) Assisting Hong Kong residents intending to retire in the GBA in establishing their social security and medical care rights as early as possible to ensure they can access these benefits during their retirement in the GBA;

(2) Exploring ways to help cross-boundary retirees in the GBA create new social networks and integrate into local communities;

(3) Establishing a comprehensive information platform to provide guidance and planning resources for retirement arrangements in the GBA;

(4) Conducting feasibility studies on the establishment of a retirement village for Hong Kong residents in the GBA.