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People also ask
How do I enroll in Medicare if I plan to retire?
When can you get Medicare if you retire?
When should I sign up for Medicare Part A?
Should I sign up for Medicare?
When can I sign up for Medicare if I'm 65?
When can I sign up for Medicare if I apply for Social Security?
There are several ways to enroll in Medicare, whether you plan to retire or keep working: If you begin receiving Social Security retirement benefits between age 62 and up to 4 months before turning 65, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B when you turn 65.
- Overview
- How does Medicare work after retirement?
- Do you have to pay for Medicare when you retire?
- Budgeting for Medicare after retirement
- Enrolling in Medicare
- The takeaway
•Medicare is a federal program that helps you pay for healthcare once you reach age 65 or if you have certain health conditions.
•You don’t have to sign up when you turn 65 years old if you continue working or have other coverage.
•Signing up late or not at all might save you money on monthly premiums but could cost more in penalties later.
•Planning before you retire can help you avoid overpaying for health coverage during retirement.
Medicare is a public health insurance program that you qualify for when you turn 65 years old. This might be retirement age for some people, but others choose to continue working for many reasons, both financial and personal.
In general, you pay for Medicare in taxes during your working years and the federal government picks up a share of the costs. But some parts of the program still come with a monthly fee and other out-of-pocket costs.
Retirement age is not a number that’s set in stone. Some people may have the option to retire early, while others need — or want — to keep working. The average retirement age in the United States in 2016 was 65 for men and 63 for women.
Regardless of when you plan to retire, Medicare has designated age 65 as the starting point for your federal health benefits. If you choose to retire early, you’ll be on your own for health coverage unless you have specific health issues. Otherwise, you’re advised to sign up for Medicare programs in the few months before or after your 65th birthday.
Medicare programs can help cover your healthcare needs during your retirement years. It is automatically offered when you turn age 65. While Medicare isn’t necessarily mandatory, it may take some effort to opt out of.
You may be able to defer Medicare coverage, but it’s important to if you have a reason that makes you eligible for deferment or if you’ll face a penalty once you do enroll.
Most people don’t pay a monthly premium for Part A, but you will still have to plan to pay a portion of your inpatient care costs if you’re admitted to a hospital for care.
Other Medicare parts, like Part B, also come with costs that can add up. You’ll need to pay monthly premiums, copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. You can pay for premiums and other Medicare costs in several ways.
While you could budget and save for healthcare throughout your life, other programs can help:
•Paying with Social Security. You can have your Medicare premiums deducted directly from your Social Security benefits. Plus, certain protections can keep your premium increase from exceeding your cost of living increase from Social Security. This is known as the hold harmless provision, and it could save you money from year to year on your premiums.
•Medicare savings programs. These state programs use Medicaid dollars and other funding to help you pay your Medicare costs.
•Extra Help. The Extra Help program offers additional help paying for prescription medications under Part D.
The timing of when you choose to enroll in Medicare depends on several factors:
•If you’ve already retired and are approaching your 65th birthday, you should plan to sign up for Medicare as soon as you are eligible to avoid late enrollment penalties.
•If you’re still working and have insurance through your employer, you may still elect to participate in Part A because you likely won’t have to pay a premium. You may, however, want to wait to sign up for other Medicare programs that would charge you monthly fees and premiums.
•People who continue working and have health insurance through their employer, or who have a working spouse who has health insurance coverage, are usually eligible for special enrollment periods and can avoid paying late enrollment penalties.
•Even if you have insurance through an employer plan, you may still want to consider starting Medicare coverage because it can cover costs not paid for by your primary plan.
Once your (or your spouse’s) employment or insurance coverage ends, you have 8 months to sign up for Medicare if you’ve chosen to delay enrollment.
•The federal government helps subsidize your healthcare costs through a variety of Medicare programs after age 65.
•If you keep working, you can delay enrollment in these programs or pay for your healthcare through a combination of public and private or employer-based programs.
•Even with these programs, you may be responsible for a share of your healthcare costs.
•Plan ahead for healthcare in your retirement to avoid higher costs or late enrollment penalties, especially as they apply to Medicare programs.
May 16, 2024 · If you’re 65 or older, it can make sense to sign up for Medicare while you're still working and are covered by employer health insurance.
- 7 min
May 31, 2022 · Everyone else needs to wait until age 65 to become eligible for Medicare, no matter when they retire. You can sign up during your seven-month initial enrollment period (IEP) , beginning three months before the month you turn 65 and ending three months after your birthday month.
Oct 30, 2023 · If you're covered by a Health Insurance Marketplace plan or COBRA, you should sign up for Medicare Part A during your initial enrollment period, which starts three months before you turn 65,...
Mar 16, 2024 · You may enroll in coverage through the health insurance Marketplace in your state, continue your employment-related benefits through COBRA or state continuation, enroll in your spouse’s health plan, or apply for Medicaid.
You should apply online for Medicare, if you: • Are within three months of turning age 65 or older. • Want Medicare benefits and have not previously applied for Medicare. • Reside in the United States or one of its territories or commonwealths.
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related to: How do I enroll in Medicare if I plan to retire?10.0/10 (5976 reviews)
Search top Medicare plans in your area. Explore Medicare options online or call and speak to a licensed Medicare sales agent
Our resources can help you understand your options during Annual Enrollment. Our team can give you complimentary, impartial help with comparing your options.
medicare.gov has been visited by 10K+ users in the past month
It’s time to see coverage options for the year ahead. Find your 2025 Medicare plan today! Don't miss out! Open Enrollment ends December 7. Compare Rx and health coverage options.