Yes. If you are receiving benefits, the Social Security Administration will automatically sign you up at age 65 for parts A and B of Medicare. (Medicare is operated by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, but Social Security handles enrollment.) Social Security will send you sign-up instructions at the beginning of your initial enrollment period, three months before the month of your 65th birthday. Show
Medicare Part A covers basic hospital visits and services and some home health care, hospice and skilled-nursing services. If you are receiving or are eligible to receive Social Security retirement benefits, you do not pay premiums for Part A. Medicare Part B is akin to standard health insurance and carries a premium. The base rate in 2022 is $170.10 a month (dropping to $164.90 a month in 2023). Higher-income individuals pay more depending on the amount of income. You can opt out of Part B — for example, if you already have what Medicare calls “primary coverage” through an employer, spouse or veterans’ benefits and you want to keep it. (Check with your current insurance provider to make sure your coverage meets the standard.) Opting out will not affect your Social Security status, but you might pay a penalty in the form of permanently higher premiums if you decide to enroll in Part B later. If you want to enroll in Medicare Part C (also known as Medicare Advantage), an alternative to Part B that is provided by private insurers, you must sign up on your own. The same goes for Medicare Part D, prescription drug coverage. You can find more information in Social Security’s “Medicare” publication and the Medicare website, or you can call Medicare at 800-633-4227. Keep in mindIf you are living abroad or are outside the United States when you become eligible for Medicare, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to request an enrollment form. Updated September 27, 2022 Skip to main content
Working at age 65: Should you enroll In Medicare?
You first become eligible to enroll in Medicare around age 65. But if you plan to keep working or you have employer health coverage through a spouse, you have some options to consider when it comes to getting Medicare. So what do working 65-year-olds do about Medicare? Medicare before you retire? Maybe.Before you do anything about enrolling in Medicare, you need to talk with your employer benefits manager. You need to understand if your employer insurance qualifies as creditable coverage that could allow you to delay Medicare as well as find out how Medicare and your employer coverage may work together. In some cases your employer coverage will enable you to put off Medicare enrollment, and in other cases you may be required to take full Medicare benefits at age 65 even if you continue working. Quickly discover your options here. Questions to ask your employer benefits manager include:
This information will help you weigh your choices and decide what’s best for you. You may decide to enroll in Medicare Part A, Part B or both. Or you may be able to and want to delay enrolling in Medicare all together until you retire. Enroll in Medicare Part A? Consider your HSA first.Some people enroll in Medicare Part A when they turn 65 whether they’re working or not, because Part A is usually premium-free. You earn premium-free Part A by paying into the Medicare program through payroll deductions. You qualify if you or your spouse contributed to Medicare for at least 10 years. Careful though. Once you get Part A (or any part of Medicare), you can no longer contribute to your health savings account (HSA).You may want to delay Part A if you have an HSA and want to continue contributing to it. If you decide to get Medicare and stop contributing your HSA, know that you can still continue to use the funds for qualified medical expenses – including some Medicare costs. Enroll in Medicare Part B? Depends.Medicare Part B charges a premium, so if you can delay without penalty, you may want to. Most people pay the standard Part B premium, but people with higher incomes may pay more. Some people who work past 65 and have employer coverage delay enrolling in Part B just to postpone paying the premium and then sign up later during a Special Enrollment Period. If you don’t qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, even if you’re still going to work past 65, you need to get Part B during your Initial Enrollment Period to avoid financial penalties. Your Medicare choices when workingYou have a number of Medicare decisions to make when you turn 65 and this is especially true when you have other health insurance. It’s a good idea to start learning about your choices ahead of turning 65. Preparation can help you get the coverage that best meets your needs while avoiding unnecessary costs and give you the confidence you want in whatever decision you end up with. More articlesMore articlesGet the latestBoost your Medicare know-how with the reliable, up-to-date news and information delivered to your inbox every month. Find a planEnter your ZIP code for plans in your area Meet with usMake an appointment with a licensed insurance agent/producer in your area Is Medicare Part A ever free?Most people get Part A for free, but some have to pay a premium for this coverage. To be eligible for premium-free Part A, an individual must be entitled to receive Medicare based on their own earnings or those of a spouse, parent, or child.
How much will I have to pay for Medicare when I turn 65?In 2022, the premium is either $274 or $499 each month ($278 or $506 in 2023), depending on how long you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes. You also have to sign up for Part B to buy Part A. If you don't buy Part A when you're first eligible for Medicare (usually when you turn 65), you might pay a penalty.
Who qualifies for premiumYou are eligible for premium-free Part A if you are age 65 or older and you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. You can get Part A at age 65 without having to pay premiums if: You are receiving retirement benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board.
Do you have to pay for Medicare Part B?Part B (Medical Insurance)
premium deducted automatically from their Social Security benefit payment (or Railroad Retirement Board benefit payment). If you don't get benefits from Social Security (or the Railroad Retirement Board), you'll get a premium bill from Medicare. Get a sample of the Medicare bill.
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