I'm planning to delay Social Security until age 70, but I'm turning 65 soon. How does this affect my Medicare enrollment?

Question

William Gray · Accepted Answer

You can still enroll at 65.  You will need to do this from the SSA website or by visitin your SSA office. 

If you don't enroll at 65 and don't have coverage through a group plan you will be penalized 1% per month for each month you don't have coverage. 

You will be billed by Medicare for your part B premium  3 months at a time.

Joseph Meyers · Answer

Social security is your monthly income payments based upon your 20 best years of employment income.
Medicare is the health insurance that most Americans earn from working 40 quarters (or 10 full years) 
You contact the same government office (SSA) to enroll in medicare or start your social security payments.
Now back to the question...
Most people will need to enroll in Medicare part B when they turn 65 or are planning on coming off of credible employer group coverage. If you are still working after 65 check with your HR department as to the specifics about whether you need enroll in part B.

Kelsey Hentzen · Answer

If you are ready to enroll in Medicare A and B, you are able to enroll in Medicare without taking your Social Security benefits. However, you will receive a quarterly bill in the mail for your Medicare part B premium. You can call social security to make monthly payments instead of quarterly if that works better for you.

Answered by Kelsey Hentzen on April 21, 2025

Broker Licensed in KS & MO

Answered by Kelsey Hentzen Medicare Insurance Agent

Gregg Matheny · Answer

Because you will not be recovering social security when you are 65 you will not automatically get Medicare part B. You will need to go to SSA.gov and “apply for Medicare”. I strongly suggest you start this 3 months prior to your 65th birthday month. Additionally, a lot of individuals get part B taken right out of their SS account. You will need to provide SSA with a checking or savings account that they can withdraw a monthly part B premium from.

Answered by Gregg Matheny on April 3, 2025

Agent Licensed in AZ & UT

Answered by Gregg Matheny Medicare Insurance Agent

Michael Pyers · Answer

Social Security and Medicare are 2 different programs. You have a limited time - 3 months before and 3 months after you become eligible at 65. However, if you have creditable coverage that is as good as Medicare at your employer (over 20 employees) you may delay enrolling in Medicare until a later date. You will have a limited window to apply then.

Answered by Michael Pyers on May 5, 2025

Broker Licensed in OH & MI

Answered by Michael Pyers Medicare Insurance Agent

Paul Dzierzanowski · Answer

Since you are not receiving Social Security benefits at age 65, you will need to sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B through the Social Security Administration.
 It is important to sign up for Medicare Part A as soon as you are eligible, even if you are still covered by an employer-provided group health plan, to avoid gaps in coverage and potential late enrollment penalties. If you are covered by an employer-provided group health plan, you may be able to delay signing up for Medicare Part B until you retire, but you should check with your employer's benefits representative to confirm this and ensure you do not face penalties.  If you have questions about your specific situation, you can contact me directly at 239.848.8893.

John Lopez · Answer

Assuming you are not working with health coverage available elsewhere, it will not affect your Medicare coverage at all. You will enroll for Medicare Parts A & B through your mySSA account online, and assuming you have premium-free Part A, you will pay your Part B premium directly. Once you do begin collecting Medicare, your Part B premium and part D premium (if you have one) will be deducted automatically from your Social Security check monthly.

Answered by John Lopez on April 19, 2025

Broker Licensed in DE, MD, NC, NJ, NY & PA

Answered by John Lopez Medicare Insurance Agent

Jason Vallejos · Answer

You can delay Social Security Benefits and obtain Medicare at age 65. It will not affect your Social Security retirement benefits.

Steve Brauer · Answer

They are two separate things entirely. You can enroll into Medicare at age 65 or delay it if you are still working and insured by an employer plan, IF your company has more than 20 full time employees. It will not affect your Social Security draw later in life.

Answered by Steve Brauer on April 8, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ & CA

Answered by Steve Brauer Medicare Insurance Agent

Marcie Barnes · Answer

You can choose to delay Medicare Part B as long as you have credible coverage through employer coverage.  Medicare Part A is premium free and you will be enrollment once you turn 65.

Bob Nunn · Answer

. You are eligible for Medicare at 65 regardless of your choice to receive Social Security. Go to ssa.gov and on the middle of the page you will see start Medicare Part B , and fill it out which you can do 3 months from birthday month .

Answered by Bob Nunn on April 17, 2025

Agent Licensed in FL, AL, AR & 36 other states

Answered by Bob Nunn Medicare Insurance Agent

Joley Hanson · Answer

Great question, there are several factors to be considered. Going to a Medicare 101 would be a benefit when making some of those choices. Schedule a review with a licensed agent to discuss your plans.

I'm planning to delay Social Security until age 70, but I'm turning 65 soon. How does this affect my Medicare enrollment?

Agents: Share Your Expertise

Seniors: Ask a Question of Your Own

Related Questions

Agent Locator

Medicare Agents Hub
A non-government resource website

I'm planning to delay Social Security until age 70, but I'm turning 65 soon. How does this affect my Medicare enrollment?

Agents: Share Your Expertise

Seniors: Ask a Question of Your Own

Related Questions

Agent Locator

Medicare Agents HubA non-government resource website

Medicare Agents Hub
A non-government resource website