Nation may be secure after cost is worked out (8)
I believe the answer is:
scotland
'nation' is the definition.
(Scotland is an example)
'secure after cost is worked out' is the wordplay.
'secure' becomes 'land' (land can mean to secure or obtain).
'after' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'is worked out' indicates an anagram.
'cost' anagrammed gives 'scot'.
'land' after 'scot' is 'SCOTLAND'.
'may be' is the link.
(Other definitions for scotland that I've seen before include "Strange clans dot this country" , "The country of strange cold ants" , "Tod's clan comes form the northern country" , "Semi-autonomous region of the UK" , "Alban" .)