If a senior is turning 65 but still working, should they enroll in Medicare or delay it?

Question

Charles Fletcher · Accepted Answer

Whether a senior turning 65 should enroll in Medicare or delay it while still working depends on their job situation—specifically, their employer’s size and health plan. Here’s how it breaks down:

If the employer has 20+ employees: The company’s group health plan is usually "primary" (pays first), and Medicare is "secondary." In this case, they don’t have to enroll in Medicare right away. They can stick with the work plan and delay Medicare Parts A and B without penalties, as long as the job coverage is “creditable” (meets Medicare standards). Part A (hospital coverage) is free, though, so some sign up for it as a backup since it can coordinate with the work plan. Part B (doctor visits, outpatient care) has a monthly premium, so delaying it often makes sense to avoid double costs.

If the employer has fewer than 20 employees: Medicare typically becomes primary, and the work plan secondary. Here, they should enroll in Medicare Parts A and B at 65, because the work insurance might not cover much unless Medicare kicks in first. Skipping it could mean gaps in coverage or higher out-of-pocket costs.

Other Factors: If their work plan is pricey or skimpy (high deductibles, limited drug coverage), switching to Medicare might save money or improve care, even with a big employer. They’d need to compare premiums, copays, and drug formularies. Also, if they have an HSA, signing up for Medicare stops HSA contributions—something to weigh if they’re still saving there.

How to Delay: If they skip Medicare Part B (the part that costs a monthly premium) at 65 because of a solid work plan, they will get a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) later to turn on Part B and enroll in a plan in short order at that time.

Elenys Peraza · Answer

Enroll in Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance)
- Why? It’s usually premium-free if the person or their spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years.
- When? Most people enroll at 65 even if they’re still working, unless they’re contributing to a Health Savings Account (HSA)—in which case they should delay Part A to keep making tax-free contributions.

 Delay Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) if Eligible
- When is it safe to delay?
- The senior has active employer coverage (not retiree or COBRA).
- The employer has 20 or more employees.
- Why delay? To avoid paying Part B premiums while still covered by employer insurance. They’ll get a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to sign up later without penalties.
 
 Enroll Immediately if:
- The employer has fewer than 20 employees.
- The coverage is not group-based (e.g., Marketplace, COBRA, retiree plans, Christian health ministries).
- They have no insurance or are self-employed.
In these cases, Medicare becomes primary, and delaying could lead to coverage gaps and late enrollment penalties

Mark Bilgere · Answer

This is one of the most often asked questions about Medicare. Of course there is not just one simple answer. It depends on a couple of factors.

If you work for a large employer, over 20 employees, you can continue to use your employer benefits and delay your Medicare. However, it is a good idea to compare your employer benefits to Medicare to see which one would be better. Not all employer plans are better than Medicare.

If your employer has less than 20 employees, you should enroll in Medicare. This is because most small plans do not fit the Medicare definition of creditable insurance, and once you turn 65 you are required to have creditable insurance. If you don't, you could be penalized in the future when you do decide to switch to Medicare.

One thing you hear a lot is to enroll in Part A and delay Part B. This can be beneficial if you know the other rules, plus or minus 20 employees, but be aware that if you contribute to an HSA, enrolling in Part A eliminates your ability to continue contributions to that account.

I suggest finding a local broker that will sit down with you and explain all of the details. If you feel pressured into signing up, walk away.

Sandra (Sandy) Steffy · Answer

If a senior is turning 65 but is still working, whether to enroll in Medicare or delay it depends on several factors:

1. **Group Health Insurance:** If the senior has health insurance through their employer (or their spouse’s employer), they may choose to delay Medicare enrollment. It's essential to verify if the employer has 20 or more employees, as this typically indicates that the group health plan is primary. In this case, they can postpone enrolling in Medicare without penalty.

2. **Special Enrollment Period (SEP):** If they delay enrollment due to having employer coverage, they will qualify for a Special Enrollment Period when they eventually retire or lose their coverage. This allows them to enroll in Medicare later without facing late enrollment penalties.

3. **Costs and Coverage:** It’s essential to compare the employer’s health plan benefits with Medicare. Sometimes, Medicare can provide better coverage or lower out-of-pocket costs, depending on an individual's health needs.

4. **Parts A and B:** Seniors should consider enrolling in Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) when they turn 65, as it is usually premium-free. However, they can choose to delay Part B (medical insurance) if their employer's plan covers them.

5. **Consulting with HR or a Medicare Agent:** It may be beneficial to speak with the employer’s HR department or a Medicare agent for personalized advice based on their situation and to ensure they understand the rules and options.

Overall, the decision should be based on individual circumstances, and careful consideration is key to making the right choice.

Rich Baker · Answer

The qualified answer is it depends.
- is their employer coverage considered creditable? If not, enroll in Medicare to avoid late enrollment penalties.
- is their spousal coverage dependent on their keeping theirs? If yes, defer Medicare (at least part B) until their spouse qualifies for other coverage.
- How much does their employer coverage cost? If it’s less than the Part B premium, defer part B until ready to retire.
- Are they contributing to an HSA? If they’re contributing to an HSA they should defer part A because the IRS rules will disallow any contributions made after enrollment in Part A, causing tax issues. 

If they’re not contributing to an HSA they can get Medicare Part A (hospitalization) if they qualify for premium free Part A (most people do). If the employer has more than 20 employees, the employer plan pays first and medicare may pay some of the remaining costs. 

If the employer has less than 20 employees, Medicare pays hospital costs first and the employer plan pays second.

So this is a long way to say ‘it depends’ but there are a lot of moving pieces to consider so I can’t just give a yes or no answer.

Marc Gilman · Answer

If you are turning 65 and still working, should you enroll in Medicare or wait? If you are still working and you have employer health coverage through a company with 20 or more employees, you can delay your Medicare enrollment without penalty. Under 20 employees, you cannot. You must sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B if you have the company with health care coverage. If you have more than 20 employees, you will need to sign up for Medicare Part A. Your Medicare Part A enrollment does not occur automatically if you are not receiving Social Security benefits.

If you are considering Medicare coverage, we will evaluate your out-of-pocket costs as they may be lower with employer coverage. Keep in mind that Medicare premiums may be higher if you enroll while you are working because your income may exceed a level where you incur a surcharge known as an income-related monthly adjustment amount, or IRMAA.

Once you stop working, you have an eight-month special election period, or SEP. The sign-up for Medicare Part B without penalties is available during this time. However, you only have a two-month special enrollment period, or QEP, for signing up for a Medicare Part C, Medicare Advantage, or Medicare Part D drug coverage.

If you retain your employer's health insurance, it is the primary coverage, meaning that it pays first. Medicare will be the secondary payer. If you have a health savings account at work, be aware that enrolling in Medicare may affect your ability to contribute to your HSA.

In this situation, I strongly advise you to consult with a Medicare agent in order to make the best decision based on your individual circumstances. Thank you.

Michelle Sparks · Answer

If you are turning 65 and still working you generally will have the option to either continue with your employer group health plan (EGHP) or switch to Original Medicare- Part A and Part B. Some EGHPs require you to take Medicare at 65- so this is something you will want to check on with your Human Resources/Benefits department.  

The first step is to enroll in Original Medicare through the MySSA portal online via the Social Security website (www.ssa.gov). You can apply online for Medicare only- taking only about 20 minutes of your time. 

Once you are enrolled in Part A/Part B of Medicare, my recommendation is to work with a healthcare broker who can compare your Medicare options to your EGHP and provide you with the information you need to make the best decision for you.  In addition to looking at cost and coverage comparisons, they will ensure your EGHP is creditable, so that you are not at risk of a penalty for Part B or Part D. 

A Medicare broker will also be ready to assist you when you do stop working and wish to enroll in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) or a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) with a stand alone Prescription Drug Plan (Part D).  They will also ensure you enroll during your Special Enrollment Period to avoid penalties and ensure no gap in coverage.

Betsy Mullison · Answer

If you're still working when you turn 65 and your employer has 20 or more employees, you can usually delay Medicare Part B and Part D without a penalty—as long as your work coverage is credible. (Credible means that the insurance is as good as Medicare as per Medicare standards.) 
Most folks go ahead and sign up for Part A since it's premium free, unless they're contributing to an HSA. If you are contributing to an HSA, you should not enroll in Part A until you need it.
But if your employer has fewer than 20 employees, you’ll want to enroll in both Part A and B at 65 because Medicare becomes your primary coverage.  Then you can decide to keep your employer plan as secondary, or choose a MediGap or Medicare Advantage plan to supplement your Medicare.

Joshua Ruiz · Answer

If a senior is turning 65 and still working, they may be able to delay Medicare — but it depends on their situation: 
 Are they covered by employer insurance?

Yes, and the employer has 20+ employees:
They can delay Part B (and Part D) without penalty. Part A is usually free, so many enroll in Part A only.

Yes, but the employer has fewer than 20 employees:
Medicare becomes primary, and they should enroll in both Part A and B to avoid gaps in coverage and penalties.

No employer coverage or self-employed with marketplace plan:
They should enroll in Medicare to avoid late penalties and coverage gaps.

Cheryl Lyons · Answer

It depends on your employer coverage. Here’s the quick guidance:

1. If you have employer coverage through a large employer (20+ employees)

You can delay Medicare Part B without penalty

Your employer insurance acts as primary, Medicare as secondary

Enroll in Part A (usually free) if you want hospital coverage

2. If your employer is small (<20 employees)

Medicare is usually primary, so you should enroll in Parts A & B on time

Delaying could result in gaps or penalties

3. Special Enrollment Period (SEP)

When you retire or lose employer coverage, you get an SEP to enroll in Medicare without penalties

SEP usually lasts 8 months after employment ends

✅ Key takeaway

Large employer → Keep your plan, delay Part B if desired, enroll in Part A

Small employer → Enroll in Parts A & B on time

Always check with HR to see if your coverage counts as creditable coverage for prescription drugs

Kevin Chaikin · Answer

Yes they should consider enrolling but it depends.
1) The senior should enroll in Part A UNLESS he/she is contributing actively to a Health Savings Account (HSA).  
2) If their employer is under 20 employees, he/she should enroll in A&B and consider making a full shift to Medicare but nothing less than A&B since Medicare now sees themselves as primary.  The employer plan will be secondary or the senior can look at Medicare Advantage or Medigap options instead.
3) If the employer size is over 20, Part B can be delayed (and A if HSA contributions are being made) but it is worth doing a comparison to determine if delay is recommended. Look at monthly premium, out of pocket exposure and IRMAA.  Sometimes Medicare looks better and comparable or less in cost only to find out a high income earner now owes hundreds more per month in income adjusted premium.

Alan &quot;AL&quot; Minthorn · Answer

If you are still working, have creditable employer health and prescription insurance, meaning it is as least as good as Medicare (HR should know this), then enroll in Medicare Part A ONLY. It has zero cost, provided you've worked 10 years and paid into Medicare. 

Approx. 3 months before you are ready to retire and selected an end date of employment (end of month is easier), enroll in Medicare Part B (for 1st of month following this end date). After receiving your revised Medicare Card showing Part A & B dates, have a local agent assist in educating and selecting the appropriate plan(s) to begin without a gap in coverage.

Taylor Langlois · Answer

Enroll in Part A; it's usually free. Delay Part B only if your employer/spouse's plan has 20 or more employees. There's no late penalty that way and you have an 8-month SEP to enroll after your employer coverage. If under 20 employees, I would enroll fully at 65.

Answered by Taylor Langlois on May 21, 2026

Agent Licensed in KS, CO, MO, NE, OK & TX

Answered by Taylor Langlois Medicare Insurance Agent

Patrick Hecht · Answer

This depends on your situation. If you're still working and have employer coverage through a company with 20 or more employees, you can usually delay/defer Medicare Part B without penalty. Many people in this situation choose to enroll in Part A since it's usually premium-free, and delay their Part B to avoid paying the extra premium while still covered at work. However, if your employer has fewer than 20 employees, Medicare often becomes your primary coverage, even if you're still working, so it's important to enroll to avoid gaps and penalties. The best move is to compare costs and coverage between your employer plan and Medicare. That is where I come in, I'll help you weigh all your options so you can make an informed decision.

Answered by Patrick Hecht on May 19, 2025

Broker Licensed in VA, CA, MD, PA & WV

Answered by Patrick Hecht Medicare Insurance Agent

Steve and Sue Brauer · Answer

So the question is, if a senior is turning 65 but still working, should they enroll in Medicare or delay it? Well, there are a couple of ways we can go with that. If someone is turning 65 and they're still working and they're on a group health plan at work, and the company they work for has over 20 employees, it becomes a math problem. Meaning, what are they paying for their coverage through work and what would it cost them to go on Medicare and pay for the Medicare coverage?

Part A is going to be free typically for most people because as long as you've worked 10 years full time, your Medicare Part A, the hospital coverage, is free. Part B starts at $185 a month. If you were lucky to make more than about $200,000 a year, two years ago, because there's a two-year look back, if you made over that, you're going to pay more than $185. It's on a sliding scale. So it's kind of a math problem. I've said it a hundred times, find an independent Medicare broker that you trust and go with them. Make sure they only do Medicare because it's a very specialized niche insurance product.

Mark Boone · Answer

Whether you should enroll or not enroll depends on the employer's size and coverage. If you have employer coverage from a company with 20 or more employees, you can likely delay Part B enrollment without penalty and enroll in premium-free Part A. If your employer has fewer than 20 employees, you should enroll in both Part A and Part B during your initial enrollment period, as Medicare will become primary and your employer's coverage secondary.

Answered by Mark Boone on November 29, 2025

Agent Licensed in MN, FL, MI & NC, OH, SC & VA

Answered by Mark Boone Medicare Insurance Agent

Jerry Wilson · Answer

If an employer has 20 or more employees, generally you can choose to delay Medicare enrollment, drop your employer coverage for Medicare, or have both Medicare and employer coverage.

 
If an employer has fewer than 20 employees, generally you will need to enroll in Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period.
 

If you have health coverage through a spouse's employer, what you can do will depend on the employer's rules. You may be able to delay or you may need to enroll at age 65.

Before you do anything about enrolling in Medicare, you need to talk with your employer’s benefits manager. You need to understand if your employer’s insurance qualifies as creditable coverage that could allow you to delay Medicare as well as find out how Medicare and your employer’s coverage may work together. In some cases, your employer’s 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.

John Becker · Answer

If you're working past 65 with employer coverage (company has 20+ employees...), you can likely delay Part B without penalty, using your employer plan as primary; however, signing up for premium-free Part A is usually smart as it acts as secondary insurance, and you can delay Part B until you stop working to avoid penalties, using a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). If your employer has fewer than 20 employees, you generally must enroll in Medicare Parts A & B to avoid gaps/denials, as Medicare becomes primary

Answered by John Becker on December 19, 2025

Agent Licensed in WI & MN

Answered by John Becker Medicare Insurance Agent

Paul Dzierzanowski · Answer

If turning 65 and still working, whether or not you should enroll in Medicare depends in part on what other coverage is available to you. In general, if you have a group plan and the cost of the group plan would be less than your cost on Medicare part B and a supplement or Medicare Advantage plan, then you should probably stay on the group plan. If the group plan is more expensive than being on Medicare part B and a supplement or Medicare Advantage plan, then you would probably opt to take part B and go on Medicare. No matter what your circumstances most people would go on part A because if you've worked and have enough credits it would be premium free. Other issues to consider would be choice of doctors and benefits. For details on your specific situation, don't hesitate to reach me directly

Answered by Paul Dzierzanowski on April 2, 2025

Agent Licensed in FL & GA

Answered by Paul Dzierzanowski Medicare Insurance Agent

Chad Hardy · Answer

It depends largely on the size of the employer, often referred to as the Medicare “rule of 20.”

If the employer has 20 or more employees, their group coverage is typically considered primary, and the senior can delay enrolling in Medicare Part B without penalty as long as they maintain that creditable employer coverage.

If the employer has fewer than 20 employees, Medicare generally becomes primary at age 65, and delaying Part B could lead to gaps in coverage and potential late enrollment penalties.

Because of this rule, it’s important to review the employer size and coverage details before deciding whether to enroll or delay Medicare.

Alondra Arce · Answer

If they have employer insurance with 20 or more employees: They can delay signing up for Medicare without penalty and keep their work insurance. Once they retire or lose that insurance, they’ll need to enroll in Medicare.

If they have employer insurance with fewer than 20 employees: They must sign up for Medicare at 65 to avoid gaps in coverage and potential penalties.

Charise Karjala · Answer

I love this question. If a senior is turning 65 but still working, should they enroll in Medicare or delay it? This is a cost-benefit analysis question, and it's also presuming that the senior, the 65-year-old, has an employer-sponsored plan.

So here's the numbers on it. An employer-sponsored plan is probably costing the employer somewhere around $14,000 or $15,500 a month. Plus, the employee's portion is probably $300 or $400 a month. So you've got a couple thousand dollars a month that's going towards a health plan. It probably has a $4,000 or $5,000 deductible, a bunch of copays, and maybe there's dental and vision and all that kind of stuff. Maybe $50,000 of black insurance built into it. So the cost to the employer and the employee is somewhere around a couple thousand dollars a month with some risk.

Compare that to Medicare, which is $185 a month for your Part B. About another, let's just call it $180 a month for a Part G. Depending on where you're at, it might be Washington, it might be, you know, let's just even call it $200. We're now at $385. You've got a drug plan for maybe another $25. Now your dental and vision, maybe a life insurance policy, you throw that all together. That's the best possible insurance that you can buy with no copays, with one deductible of $200 a year. And it's around $400 a month. Doesn't that make sense?

Why would you continue with an employer's plan? Why? When you're exposing yourself to all of that risk, a limited network, and more expense to the employer? I like to think that as we age, we become more expensive to have around. And it's a bit of, I don't know, an insurance policy about getting laid off, if you will, because you're not as expensive as the next guy.

So those are just some things to think about. So cost-benefit analysis, think about it. $400 a month all together versus almost $2,000 a month for you and your employer. That's an easy decision. Thanks for the question.

Brian Moore · Answer

Hitting 65 while still working means you’re automatically getting Medicare Part A—it’s free for everyone, no opting out, and it’s a solid backup to your employer’s coverage. From my experience, signing up for Part B makes sense too; it’s usually way cheaper than what you’d pay monthly through a job’s plan, often has no annual deductible, and throws in extra perks you won’t find in most group benefits. Delaying Part B is an option if your work insurance is top-notch, but I’ve seen Part B save folks money and headaches, so I’d lean toward enrolling now!

Answered by Brian Moore on March 26, 2025

Broker Licensed in OH

Answered by Brian Moore Medicare Insurance Agent

Karen Ansell · Answer

As long as your Employer coverage is considered credible coverage you will have the option to stay with them and apply for Medicare. If you decide to stay with your Employer coverage you will have a special enrollment period to enroll in Medicare at a later date.

You can contact your HR department to verify it is credible. Then compare the benefits and premiums to those of the cost of Medicare and a Supplement and Part D rx or an Advantage plan with rx coverage. to your Employer plan.

You can apply for Medicare A only which is a $0 premium as long as you have worked 40 quarters into the Social Security system. However, if you do this you can no longer contribute to your HSA account.

Misty Bolt · Answer

Hi, it's Medicare Misty again with Medicare Minutes, and we have great questions today. If a senior is turning 65 but still working, should they enroll in Medicare or delay it? Amazing question, great question. First, it's kind of a loaded question. If you have less than 20 employees, you have to enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B, because Medicare needs to be primary, and your insurance could deny you if you don't have Medicare. Then you would be responsible for those claims. So, if you have less than 20 employees, you cannot delay Medicare; you need to enroll in it.

But if you have over 20 employees and you're still working, you do not have to take Medicare. You can delay it as long as your work coverage is credible coverage. Now, if your work coverage is really expensive, Medicare, depending on your income, may be a better option. You might want to take Medicare and delay your employer coverage, but that's your choice. Again, I know this is hard. I've been doing Medicare for over 20 years, I'm in 45 states, and I have over 50 agents, so call us.

Leslie Santos · Answer

✅ If the employer has 20 or more employees:
They can usually delay Medicare Part B (and Part D) without penalty because their employer plan remains primary. However, it’s still smart to enroll in Part A since it’s premium-free for most people and can help cover hospital costs.

⚠️ If the employer has fewer than 20 employees:
They should enroll in Medicare Parts A and B when first eligible. In this case, Medicare becomes the primary payer, and the employer plan is secondary. Delaying Part B could result in late penalties and gaps in coverage

Lilyana Uzdenova-Gomez · Answer

The answer depends on whether your current employer offers creditable part B and part D coverage. If they do, the senior will not incur a late enrollment penalty if they decide to delay enrollment into Medicare parts B and D as long as they are enrolled into a creditable plan. It’s important to understand that there are two separate penalties and you have to have creditable coverage for both within 63 days of qualifying for part A. If the senior’s employer doesn’t offer creditable coverage I would encourage them to enroll into both parts B and electing a drug plan, either stand alone or built into a Medicare health plan. Always consult an expert for a full spectrum of options available in your area as well as your current benefits administrator for complete understanding of your employer benefits.

Answered by Lilyana Uzdenova-Gomez on March 23, 2026

Broker Licensed in FL

Answered by Lilyana Uzdenova-Gomez Medicare Insurance Agent

Rachida Silva · Answer

The standard premium for Part B is $202.90/month in 2026. If your employer coverage is good and you work for a large company, there is often no reason to pay this extra monthly fee until you actually retire.  
Summary Checklist:
• Company size? If <20 employees, enroll now.  
• Have an HSA? If yes, delay everything (including Part A) to keep contributing.  
• Taking Social Security? If yes, you'll be enrolled in Part A automatically; you should likely delay Part B to save on premiums.

Gregg Matheny · Answer

Delay it. If your employer coverage is working for you and your needs, as well as not costing you an arm and a leg then go ahead and “delay part B”. Medicare will have a known cost of at least $185 per month (part B premium) + whatever plan you add on top of that. If you’re currently paying more than that and not “using your employer plan benefits” then you may be better off getting onto Medicare. A broker can help you make a “pros and cons” list and think through your options.

Answered by Gregg Matheny on March 26, 2025

Agent Licensed in AZ & UT

Answered by Gregg Matheny Medicare Insurance Agent

Robert Krauthamer · Answer

If you are working for an employer with 20 or more employees and you have health insurance with them that is on average equal or better than what Medicare offers, then you could delay enrolling in Medicare. For some people it may make sense to enroll in Part A only. If you are paying a high premium for your employer health insurance, you may want to compare your employer plan with your Medicare options.

Answered by Robert Krauthamer on March 27, 2025

Agent Licensed in WA

Answered by Robert Krauthamer Medicare Insurance Agent

Thomas Magnus, RHU · Answer

It all depends on several factors that must be considered:
1) Are YOU paying the premium or is your Employer? If it is your Employer, MAYBE you should keep it... Depending on the next consideration:
2) What is your Annual Deductible? If it is HIGH and you use your health plan frequently, you MAY be better off with Original Medicare and a Supplement, as your Annual out-of-pocket cost with Medicare is capped and you will know up front, the maximum you'll spend each year.
3) You DO want to speak with a Medicare Specialist to ensure you are on the right track. On the other hand, a low or zero premium Medicare Advantage Plan may keep your expenses down due to relatively low copays for various benefits and treatment, and these plans often come with gym membership, vision, dental, and hearing benefits, case management, and more.

Robert Helmkamp II · Answer

If you become Medicare Eligible while still working and receive health insurance through your job, you have a choice to stick with either your employers coverage or to enroll in Medicare. When making this decision it comes down to cost, which is more beneficial to you, your employers coverage or Medicare. If you decide to stay with your employers health plan, your employers plan is considered “creditable coverage”. As long as you have had creditable coverage since becoming Medicare eligible, you have a three month Special Enrollment Period when you lose your employers coverage to enroll in Medicare without any penalties.

Answered by Robert Helmkamp II on April 14, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ

Answered by Robert Helmkamp II Medicare Insurance Agent

Steve Dunn · Answer

Enrolling in Medicare while still working depends on serveral factors:  the type of current health insurance coverage, the amount of employees and if you want Medicare as your primary or secondary isurance.  

If your employer has fewer than 20 employees, enrollment in Medicare is advisable.  Medicare would become your primary insurance and your employer's would be secondary.  Your initial enroment period is 3 months beofre to 3 months after your 65th birthday.  Those who want Medicare as a secondary insurance cans still enroll in Part A (hospital insurance) because it is premium free (assuming you or your spouse has paid Medicare taxes for 10+ years).  

Consider delaying enrollment if your employer coverage has 20+ employees,  You can delay Part B without penalty,  Most Part B's have a monthly premium of $174.70/month.  Also, consider delayinbg enbrollment if you have a Health Savings Account (HSA).  Once you enroll in any part of Medicare, you can no longer contribute to an HSA.

Angela Ellington · Answer

If they are enrolled in Credible Employer Sponsored Coverage and are contributing to an HSA, they should not enroll in Medicare until they lose their coverage. If they are not contributing to an HSA, and if the employer group has more than 20 employees, they can enroll in Part A and postpone Part B until they lose their coverage. If the employer group is smaller than 20, they will need to enroll in Medicare A & B.

Answered by Angela Ellington on June 25, 2025

Agent Licensed in CA, AZ, FL & 9 other states

Answered by Angela Ellington Medicare Insurance Agent

Chad Cason · Answer

If you have employer-based health insurance through your or a spouse's current employment, where there are more than 20 employees, and you're happy with the costs, such as monthly deductions/premiums and coverage, like potential out-of-pocket costs, you can delay Medicare enrollment without accruing penalties. If this is you, it's best to schedule a quick call so we can discuss your situation. Chad

Answered by Chad Cason on March 12, 2025

Broker Licensed in GA, AL, FL & 13 other states

Answered by Chad Cason Medicare Insurance Agent

Joanna Gebhart · Answer

If a senior is turning 65 and still working I recommend they accept Part A and delay enrolling in Part B until they retire.  However one must be certain that the existing health and prescription plan is at least as good or better than Medicare coverage.  If the existing insurance does not meet what Medicare calls "credible coverage" then any delay would cause a penalty for both Part B and Part D (Prescription plans)

This is why working with a local agent is important.  I review all options with my clients to determine what works best for each individual's situation.

Justin Doherty · Answer

When considering Medicare Part B, that depends on the insurance you have available through your employer (or your spouse's employer). Enrolling in Medicare may be less expensive, may provide more benefits, and may provide greater access to doctors. However, it may also be more expensive and may not be the right choice. You should compare the costs of enrolling in Medicare with the costs of staying on your group plan to see which makes the most sense for you.
For Medicare Part A, most people do not pay a premium and should go ahead and enroll when turning 65.

Kent Hoyle · Answer

If a senior is still working at age 65 they should NOT sign up for Part B if they are going to retain the company group health insurance plan they are currently on.  Part B should only be activated when that employee decides to come off of their group plan.

However, often times it is beneficial for that employee to come off of the group plan and switch to the combination of Original Medicare/Medicare Supplement/Stand-Alone Prescription Drug Plan than to stay with their group plan.  Probably the main variables to consider would be to what extent is the employer assisting paying premiums for the employee and also comparing the RX benefits on the group plan verses the Stand-Alone Prescription Drug Plan.

James Stang · Answer

Anyone turning 65 but continuing to receive healthcare benefits from an employer should enroll in Part A but not Part B. Part A can work in conjunction with an employer plan in some instances and is already paid for from your paycheck withholding. Part B is not able to work with any other insurance plan and has a monthly premium. When you know when you will be stopping your employer coverage you can call social security and have Part B start at that time.

Answered by James Stang on November 26, 2025

Agent Licensed in OH

Answered by James Stang Medicare Insurance Agent

Charles Mai · Answer

Should take the Medicare part A when eligible.   If your employer’s plan is more cost effective, stay with it until you truly retire.  This way, you do not have to sign up for the Part B ($202.90 per month for most).

Once you are no longer covered by your employer’s plan, then you can take the Part B.  After that, you can decide to get a med supp plan or advantage plan.  

It is better to consult or work with a licensed Medicare plan agent on this.

Nicolas Cain · Answer

If they have employer coverage that’s creditable (meets Medicare standards), they can usually delay enrolling in Medicare Part B without penalty.

Once they retire or lose that coverage, they’ll have a Special Enrollment Period to sign up. It’s important to confirm their employer plan qualifies before delaying.

Christie Bondos · Answer

If the employer has over 20 full time employees and the coverage is creditable and meaning it meets the standard coverage model of Medicare, and the employee is still employed full time they may delay Part B. Good rule of thumb is to check with their HR to ensure they still have coverage through their Group Plan. If the Employer wants them off the plan it's time to explore other options and take Medicare.. I always tell people to compare benefits and coverages with what you're paying now along with all dr's and prescriptions

Answered by Christie Bondos on March 31, 2025

Broker Licensed in CT

Answered by Christie Bondos Medicare Insurance Agent

Helen Clee · Answer

If a senior is turning 65 but still working, and have creditable employer provided coverage, they should delay in enrolling in Medicare Part B. They should still enroll in Part A. It doesn't cost anything and they would have a Medicare number. Then it'd be easier when they are ready to apply for Part B. In some instances it'd make sense to enroll in Part B if it's cheaper than the employer coverage or the employer coverage is not creditable.

Answered by Helen Clee on May 1, 2026

Broker Licensed in CA

Answered by Helen Clee Medicare Insurance Agent

Mary Salmon · Answer

If the senior is still working and has employer group coverage and has more than 20 employees, they can delay enrolling in Part B. If the employer has 20 or more employees, the group coverage is primary. However, if the employer has less than 20 employees, Medicare is primary so the senior should enroll in Medicare A & B to avoid penalties.

Answered by Mary Salmon on May 29, 2025

Broker Licensed in TX & OK

Answered by Mary Salmon Medicare Insurance Agent

Gretchen Morris · Answer

If they have what is called creditible coverage (ie; coverage as good as or better than medicare) then they do not have to take medicare a and b at 65. Sometimes however their company plan may cost them MORE than medicare so that is a consideration. If they do decide they want to take medicare at 65, the other caveat is not contributing to their HSA for the 6 months leading up to that date.

Answered by Gretchen Morris on March 4, 2025

Broker Licensed in MN, AZ, FL & WI

Answered by Gretchen Morris Medicare Insurance Agent

Comfort Olude · Answer

Your Medicare enrollment options when working past 65 may be different. You may be able to delay, or you may have to enroll at age 65.
Generally, you can delay Medicare past age 65 without penalty if:
A. Your employer has 20 or more employees.
B.  Your employer health coverage is considered "creditable".

You need to enroll at age 65 if:
A. Your employer has fewer than 20 employees.
B. Your employer is not considered "creditable".

Rigoberto Caballero · Answer

This is a very important question for the persons arriving 65 and  still working. To answer it correctly, it is necessary to know the size of your employer and if they provide health coverage. If the employer has more than 20 employees, the employer-sponsored group health plan serves as the primary coverage, and employees may defer their enrollment in Parts B and D without penalty.
If the employer has fewer than 20 employees, Medicare becomes the primary insurance, and employees must enroll upon turning 65.

Larry Dalton · Answer

Suppose they have a Medicare-qualified group insurance plan. In that case, they do not necessarily need to enroll in Medicare until they retire, and they then have 63 days to make that decision without penalties. However, one would need to analyze correctly what the two different coverages would consist of, the cost, co-pays, and deductibles before making the final decision.

Answered by Larry Dalton on March 26, 2025

Broker Licensed in OK & TX

Answered by Larry Dalton Medicare Insurance Agent

Timothy Brown · Answer

You can apply for Part A which is premium free if you or your spouse worked and paid taxes for at least 10 years. The Part B can be delayed without a penalty if you decide to keep your employer insurance but you also have an option to compare group coverage vs Medicare coverage in terms of premium and benefits.

Answered by Timothy Brown on March 28, 2025

Broker Licensed in PA, CT, DE & 15 other states

Answered by Timothy Brown Medicare Insurance Agent

Brianna Douros · Answer

Hey y'all, it's Brianna, your favorite life and health insurance agent and owner of Be Real Insured. Bringing in real solutions. Today we're gonna touch on employer coverage, group coverage. You're still working and you're wondering, can you keep your group coverage? And the answer is yes, you actually could. You could apply for your Part A hospital coverage, typically a $0 premium, and decline your Part B, your medical, the one that does have the premium. And you could use your group coverage as credible coverage, as long as it is considered credible coverage through CMS. That would count and it would avoid any late enrollment Part B and D penalties, as long as it's considered that credible coverage. Okay, so that is something to definitely keep in mind and yeah, you can do it. Now, I would highly recommend that you compare your group coverage, cost, and coverage to Medicare to just ensure that that is your best option. But yeah, I hope that helps for some of y'all who are still working and don't plan on retiring. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to me. In the meantime y'all, keep it real.

Andrew Kramer · Answer

This depends on their situation:
1. The rule from Medicare is that if 20 or more employees are enrolled in the group health plan of the employer, the senior can delay taking Medicare Part B without being later penalized. Notice I said 20 employees on the group health plan, not just 20 employees!
2. Compare Medicare premium to the group health premium and compare the co-pays and max out-of-pocket.
3. Does the senior have a younger wife on his group health plan, and if so, does she have an option on her employee plan, if she is still working.

Donnie Vermillion · Answer

If you have what medicare considers to be "credible coverage" from your employers group health plan or your spouses group health plan , it may make sense to delay enrollment in Part B to save on the monthly premium.  You must maintain credible coverage from an employer with at least 20 employees. 

Setting up your my social security account is the first step.

David Treadway · Answer

There is not enough information in your question to answer it. If the coverage is excellent and the cost is low and qualifies as coverage that would not cause a penalty for enrolling later, you may want to keep it. However, in most cases I review, Medicare provides better coverage at a similar or lower cost than most employer plans so we generally recommend enrolling in Medicare (A,B and supplemental). In sum, you'll need to evaluate a few things (premium, deductible, max out of pocket, prescription cost, networks, whether its creditable, etc.). 

You can find hypothetical situations and more rules on this page, which is directly from the source (Medicare): https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/medicare-basics/working-past-65

Danny Radisewitz · Answer

It depends! We are careful to use " depends" in a Senior discussion! Lol!
Enrolling in a premium free Part A Medicare could penalize someone who is trying to maximize their Tax Free accumulation goal. However, in most cases enrollment in Part A is a good strategy if there is no Health Savings Account available for our clients. Enrolling in Part B  and keeping your Employee Group Coverage or disenrolling is a complex and should only be made after meeting with a highly competent Medicare licensed agent.

Tammy Stoner · Answer

It is not required to enroll in Medicare if an individual is still working and has credible health coverage. 

Depending on the situation, some companies may require enrollment to part B. If an employee sponsored plan has high costs and deductibles, it may be more cost effective to enroll in Medicare vs employer plan. 

Be cautious. If you do not enroll when first eligible, you will be assessed a LEP late enrollment penalty.

A comprehensive review with me will help you determine which option is best.

Michael Turkaly · Answer

The answer would rely on the senior's place of employment. If the company the senior works for is less than 20 employees on payroll, Medicare would be primary and the senior should enroll in Medicare. However, if the company has over 20 employees, than the senior could delay it.

Answered by Michael Turkaly on April 21, 2025

Agent Licensed in MI

Answered by Michael Turkaly Medicare Insurance Agent

Michael Denniston · Answer

Normally you will be enrolled in part A （hospital Coverage） automatically when you turn 65. With part B you can opt out if you have a credible coverage plan offered by your employer. If the employer plan is what is considered credible coverage and cost less the part B premium of Medicare, you may want to stay on your employer plan. You should check with your HR to be sure what would be best for you individually. You can enroll in part B when you leave your employer and go onto Medicare A and B. You may find that your employer plan does not cover you as well Medicare plans. You should compare based on your needs.

Answered by Michael Denniston on May 23, 2025

Agent Licensed in FL, AL, AR & 11 other states

Answered by Michael Denniston Medicare Insurance Agent

Kelsey Hentzen · Answer

This answer depends on a few things. First, if you choose to stay with your current employer's insurance, you want to ensure it is creditable coverage from your current employer. Your HR department should be able to provide that information to you. Secondly, it is a good idea to compare your current employers benefits with Medicare. Often times, Medicare can save you money every year by comparing max out of pocket, deductibles and copays.

Answered by Kelsey Hentzen on September 22, 2025

Broker Licensed in KS & MO

Answered by Kelsey Hentzen Medicare Insurance Agent

Steven Bleicher · Answer

Most folks ought to know that Medicare Part A is completely Free (no premium). This is the part for In-Patient hospital treatment. Many employee plans do NOT cover this benefit. So, if your Human Resources professional doesn't tell you that, if you are ever hospitalized, all bills are coming out of your own pocket! So, those about to turn age 65 need to just acquire the totally free Part A only. Then, when you separate from the employer plan, whether by being let go or by choosing retirement, you must pick up Part B with a monthly premium (for medical visits that are not related to a hospital visit = Outpatient services) three months before leaving the company. You will choose between a Medigap = a Medicare Supplement, a Medicare Advantage plan and/or a Part D prescription Rx plan (small premium).

Answered by Steven Bleicher on May 25, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ

Answered by Steven Bleicher Medicare Insurance Agent

Elliot Andrews · Answer

The answer to this question is largely individual.  Several factors can come into play.  Do they have a spouse who isn’t eligible for Medicare yet that relies on their employer’s group insurance plan? What kind of premiums are they currently paying for the employer group plan? Is the group health plan closed to them forever if they decide to enroll into Medicare?

There are many things to take into account with this scenario and it will be different for every beneficiary.  Often it is the case that Medicare would be a less expensive option for them, but the route to get there is often different for each person.

Speaking to an agent who can help compare the various options and associated costs, or their employer plan coordinator is the best route.

Clarence &quot;Mark&quot; Christiansen · Answer

The key questions here are, how good is the senior's employer group plan and what is the cost? Then compare that with the cost of Medicare Part B, typically $ 185 / month, in combination with a Medigap or Advantage plan.

Answered by Clarence "Mark" Christiansen on March 27, 2025

Agent Licensed in WI, AZ, CA & 16 other states

Answered by Clarence "Mark" Christiansen Medicare Insurance Agent

Wade Lashley · Answer

It's a good idea to do a side by side comparison of your employer sponsored coverage and the options you have from Medicare. Consider the cost of your premiums, deductibles and maximum out of pocket, then you can make an informed decision on how to proceed. You can delay Medicare enrollment without penalty as long as you have insurance coverage through yours' or your spouses employment.

Mary Brown · Answer

If you’re turning 65 and still working with good employer coverage, you can often delay Part B without a penalty. If your employer is small or doesn’t offer creditable coverage, it’s best to enroll right away to avoid gaps and penalties.

Meghan Blankenship · Answer

If a senior is turning 65 and still working, they should usually enroll in Medicare Part A right away (since it's premium-free if they've paid into Social Security), but they may not be able to delay Part B and Part D without penalty if they have qualifying employer coverage.

Don Hansford · Answer

For the majority of beneficiaries they should go ahead and enroll in Part A, because they pay nothing as far as premiums. If they are still covered under the employer group program, then they can defer enrolling in Part B until such time that they stop working and will lose the group coverage.

Linda Davies · Answer

Generally, you can delay Medicare past age 65 without a penalty if your employer has 20 or more employees and your employer’s health coverage is considered creditable.

You also may be able to delay if your employer-based health coverage is through your spouse, or you may have to enroll.  In this case, it would depend on your spouse’s employer and any rules the employer has around covered dependents.

Dominic Javier · Answer

You may choose to delay enrolling in Medicare if you are provided a health insurance by your employer. However, to avoid late enrollment penalties, it's generally advisable to enroll in Medicare Part A since it is usually premium-free and can provide additional coverage alongside employer insurance.

Silvana Peacock · Answer

It depends on whether their employer coverage is considered "creditable." If the employer plan is good and they want to keep it, they can delay Medicare Part B without penalty, but most people still sign up for Part A since it usually has no cost.

Anthony Scott · Answer

The quick answer is, it depends.

Factors that impact that decision;

1.) Does the business offer health insurance and if it does, do they provide coverage for its employees once they turn 65.

2.) How many employees work at the business?

3.) Do you have a HSA?

3.) What benefits are in the employer plan and what is the premium and out of pocket costs of the employer plan(s) vs the available Medicare plans?

The best way to get the information you need to make this decision is to meet with a Medicare Broker, who will do a analysis on these and other factors and clearly explain all your options to you.

Soledad Ramirez · Answer

If they work for a company that has more then 20 employees and the coverage is being paid in FULL then YES delay until retirement - IF you work at a company with less then 20 employees, then YES enroll into Medicare - ALSO if you are paying a portion of your coverage at work - it's BEST to see what it would cost if you were on your OWN - it could be quite less and BETTER coverage and lower costs in general.

Sean Cusack · Answer

Hello and good morning,
If you are going to continue working and get health insurance through your employer, all you need to do is sign up for part A. It is important that you check with your employer to make sure your health coverage is considered credible though. It means that your health and prescription coverage is equal or greater coverage than medicare offers. If it is not credible, then you will need to sign up for part B&D to avoid any late enrollment penalties.
Thanks,

Sergio Valenzuela · Answer

You need to enroll in part A regardless if you still working or not after turning 65, however for part B, if you current employer offer a health insurance that is creditable as good as Medicare then you don’t need to enroll into the letter B and can be delayed without incurring penalties in future.

Tony Capraro III · Answer

Medicare agents hub, you have questions, we have the answers. As a senior turning 65 but still working, should you enroll in Medicare and delay it? You have that question most every day. Most folks are working past age 65. A couple of real important things you have to look at is the company. First off, if the company has 20 or more employees, you do not have to go on Medicare. You can stay on your company's plan as long as there are 20 or more employees. If they're 19 or less, you do have to enroll in Medicare. Work with someone like myself, Tony Capraro, here at my State Farm Agency in Manchester, New Hampshire, who knows these rules inside and out. You do not want to make a mistake here. Also, you want to look at whether Medicare coverage is better than what you currently have with your employer. So there are all these variables and options, and at age 65, you want to make sure you're making the right decisions for you and your family. I'll ask you a quick question I ask everybody. Who do you know at age 65 whose health gets better as they get older? So you want to make all the right choices here with Medicare. We will give you the ins and outs. We will give you great information so that you can make a good decision for you and your family. Medicare is much too important to put off or to make an incorrect decision. I'd be glad to help. Thanks.

Melonie Wood · Answer

They need to look at the cost.  If an employer plan is cheaper, I always recommend they stay on the employer plan.  With Medicare, you have a part B that you pay for, Social security will take your Part B premium out of your social security.  If you do not take social security yet, you will be billed for your apart B premium.  In 2025 is is $185.00

Brian Krantz · Answer

It depends on the size of the employer. If there are 20 or more employees, they can usually delay Part B without a penalty. But it's always smart to double-check the details.

Michael Pyers · Answer

They can delay enrollment in Medicare A and B as long as they are working for a group of 20 or more people and the employer coverage is a good as Medicare.  However, we always recommend that they go ahead and enroll in Part A.

Tamela Clayton · Answer

If you are turning 65 and still working, you can usually delay Medicare as long as your current job-based coverage is considered 'creditable' by Medicare.  If your coverage is not creditable, or you don't have any, you should enroll when you are first eligible, because delaying could cause a late enrollment penalty later.

Robert Pennington · Answer

I suggest taking Part A and as long as they have creditable medical and Rx coverage, wait  until they are ready to quit to apply for Part B

Elayne Cotton · Answer

Short answer, Yes.  You can enroll in Part A as long as the employment is providing your health insurance.  
If you are working, and do not have health insurance, then you should definitely enroll in Part A.  The initial enrollment period for a senior turning 65 consists of seven months: three months before the birth month, the birth month, and three months after the birth month. 
Enrolling in Part A can work with employer insurance.
If you are working, and do have health insurance, then you can delay the enrollment into Part B until you decide to retire.

Adam Morillo · Answer

Great question! Typically you can enroll into Medicare Part A at no premium and postpone Medicare Part B if you have creditable insurance through your employer. Or you can enroll into Medicare and continue working. It's always best to compare your employer plan vs Medicare and see which one would best suit your needs. You would be surprised most are seeing better coverage and lower premiums on the Medicare side.

Alyssa Gonzales · Answer

If you're turning 65 and still working with creditable employer coverage, you might not need to enroll in full Medicare just yet. My rule of thumb is to always compare group coverage to what Medicare would offer you.  I find that most folks are shocked at what they learn! After comparing coverages, you are able to make decisions based on facts and not emotions.  Compare things like cost of insurance, deductible, and max out of pocket to start with!

Josie Villa · Answer

They should usually enroll in Medicare at 65 if:

The employer has fewer than 20 employees



Medicare becomes primary

Delaying can lead to coverage gaps and penalties

Their job doesn’t offer health insurance, or it’s not “creditable.”

They want Medicare as their main insurance (for broader coverage or lower costs)

👉 In these cases, enrolling in Medicare Part A and Part B at 65 is usually the safest move.

Marcie Barnes · Answer

The true answer is about preference.  I suggest you review yout employer coverage and compare it to Medicare coverage.  Whichever is the better choice for you is how you decide what is prudent.

You will get Part A premium free.  So if you chose to delay Part B and stay with your employer coverage until you decide to retire you will not incur any penalties for delaying Medicare enrollment

Brent Mowery · Answer

If you have worked 40 quarters (10 years) I would accept Part A (Hospitalization). If your employer provides insurance and the cost is less than the cost of Medicare B, then continue with the employer insurance.

John Motsinger · Answer

It depends on their current health insurance.  Medicare typically has small deductibles and pays immediately, so it's best to compare their health insurance to the Medicare plans they are considering to see if it's best for them to go ahead and go on medicare now instead of waiting until they retire.

Tony Merwin · Answer

Ultimately it depends on a few variables which come down to cost, benefits and experience.

How much are you contributing to your employer group plan each month? How good is the coverage? Have you had a good experience.

I tell most clients that if you're spending more than $350-400 per month on your group plan then you should at least investigate what going full Medicare would look like and compare. Costs will vary by state but in most cases I've been able to provide much better coverage for roughly that same cost (including your Part B Premium).

Darnel Brown · Answer

If a senior is still working turning 65, to avoid late enrollment fees, they should enroll in Part A, with the option to decline Part B & D  if they have creditable insurance with their employer.
If retiring they can then look at their options.

Mel Stevens · Answer

If you're turning 65 and still working, you certainly have an option to enroll into Medicare. First and foremost, make sure you have creditable coverage through your employer. If you don't, then you will want to enroll into Medicare. If you have creditable coverage, then compare the costs and benefits with your current employer plan with Medicare. There are a lot plans available and they all function a little different. I'm available if you have any additional questions or need clarification.

Kris Neupauer · Answer

The best answer to this is which insurance will cover them better.  Employers with 20 or more employees might have better coverage options.  Under 20 and Medicare will most likely be a better fit.  The conversation is worth having either way with a licensed broker or agent regardless.

Rowena Ndagha · Answer

To enroll in Medicare or delay it depends on their current health coverage. 
If they have employer coverage they can delay Medicare part B without penalty while keeping employer insurance. 
If employer has fewer than 20 employees then Medicare becomes the primary coverage. Enrolling in both A and B  at 65 is recommended.
If they contributed to an HSA enrolling in Medicare may may affect  their eligibility

Christopher Boyd · Answer

This is a case by case basis. Sometimes Original Medicare and supplement coverage, along with Part D could be less costly than group insurance. I have had clients who were involuntary removed from group insurance when they became eligible for Medicare A & B. Please check with your Human Resources to verify coverage options.

Kristen Skinner · Answer

That depends. If there work is still paying for a medicare plan and it is  credible coverage they should delay Part B. But only if it is a good plan. Some plans with Medicare, like Medicare Supplemental or Medicare Advantage are just as good as the employer plan. Otherwise they can take the coverage through the employer; delay Part B, and still have credible coverage and not have to take a penalty. Again consult an agent first before you do any of this .

Eizel Mere · Answer

It does not depend on your work status but your health plan status. If your work provides a health plan that compares to medicare in coverage you have nothing to worry about. You will still receive Medicare Part A because it is free to you if your qorked and payed taxes for the alloted time. When you retire and loose your health plan you have a specific amount of time to request and enroll into Medicare and send in a proof of insurability for the time you had 65 but not in Medicare. If your work health insurance does not have prescription drug olan you must enroll on a Part D plan.

Mike Alexander · Answer

If you are covered by an employer plan then you should delay your a & B enrollment until after you retire.
If you work for an employer with less than 20 employees then you should enroll in A & B because Medicare will be primary

Shelly Hefley · Answer

The decision to enroll in Medicare is partially decided on their current coverage.  Cost of the current coverage and the limits of that coverage play a big part in determining the need for additional coverage.  Sometimes it is best to have Medicare as a second coverage and utilize other ways to cut back on the cost of Medicare!

Donald Elliott · Answer

Wow, that is a tough question.  Medicare Part A will begin automatically at 65, so the decision is for Part B.  It really depends on your primary insurance coverage through your employer or an individual plan.  Many employers will incentivize employees to elect Medicare so that the group coverage does not increase in price due to a higher age.  Ask your employer if there is an incentive before making the decision

Amy Jones · Answer

It really depends upon their employer coverage options. If a person doesn't have creditable coverage through an employer, they can accrue additional expenses by delaying Part B enrollment, but some people may find adequate coverage that is provided by an employer or included in their pension. Always consult your employer’s benefit coordinator for questions regarding how changing your benefits may affect you!

Linda Bolan · Answer

As long as the senior has an employee sponsored health insurance plan they can delay going on Medicare.  If a senior is employed but does not have health insurance a penalty is involved for delaying enrollment.

Jeffrey Simpson · Answer

A Senior, if still working, can enroll in Part A but need not enroll in Part B if they have creditable insurance on the job.

A senior may continue to work after 65 if they're desiring to reach full retirement age and delay SS and Medicare enrollment

Vincent Murray · Answer

It Depends.  A lot of seniors believe they have great insurance and feel no need to compare Medicare costs and benefits.  Just because you are still working doesn't mean you wouldn't be better off with Medicare. 
- Of course it depends on how much you are paying now.
- What is your Deductible
- What are your co pays
Remember we have insurance for a reason.  Most don't expect large medical bills in any given year.  Even if you have great Employer insurance you probably have at least a$3000 deductible.  You should include this in your over all costs.  In short, we don't know until we check, most Medicare Advantage plans include prescriptions and have a Zero dollar premium and no deductible for Medical.

Ami Fouts · Answer

They can delay taking Medicare, I go over what is financially beneficial for the client, sometimes it is cheaper for the client to enroll in Medicare, but they're not obligated to as through the workplace, this is considered " Creditable Coverage" and will not be penalized through the government for not enrolling.

Andrew Zurbuch, MBA · Answer

It depends. For Original Medicare they should compare and contrast their Group Health Insurance coverage to Medicare Part A and Part B coverage. They should use a Broker to assist them. If they are on C.O.B.R.A. then yes they should take both Medicare Part A and Part B coverage  because C.O.B.R.A. last 18 months only or 36 months if they are disabled. Thank you.

Suzanne Lamperti · Answer

Sign up for your Part A and as long as you have insurance through your employer, you can wait to sign up for Part B. Unless your employer request that you sign up for Part B. Check with your employer benefits person.

James Wareheim · Answer

As always, it depends.  Do you have employer coverage now?  How comfortable are you with the payroll deduction amount and the coverage.  Turning 65 you can enroll in Medicare and either a supplement or an Advantage plan.  You may save money and get very good coverage with Medicare.  Or you may be better off staying on the group plan.  The best thing is to talk with a reputable licensed agent and go over your specific situation.

Lakisha Bryant · Answer

You have a choice in delaying. I would suggest enrolling in Part A and delaying Part B. When you get ready to fully retire and drop your health insurance, notify your local Social Security office.

Ricky Gonzalez · Answer

It depends on the size of the employer and the quality of the group health coverage they currently have, since some employer plans allow you to delay Medicare Part B without penalties while others do not. 

It’s important to review how their employer coverage works with Medicare so they can avoid unnecessary premiums or lifelong late enrollment penalties when they eventually retire.

George Ibanez · Answer

The answer is not so simple, but basically if your employer is providing and you are enrolled on your employers plan, it will depend on 2 things.
1-Are you happy with your employers plan?
2-Is your employers plan good?
3-Is your employers plan expensive?

If you are happy with your employers plan, and you don't want to leave the plan till you stop working, then you do not have to do anything, however, in most cases Medicare with a supplement offers much better coverage and cheaper than most employer plans and it has lower deductibles and lower copays and in some cases no copays at all.

Michael White · Answer

This is a great  question and one that we are asked almost daily. The best answer is that even with employer's coverage it is in the clients best interest to consult with a Medicare Agent/Broker to see how the two coverages compare and to make sure that if choosing the employer's coverage that the client would not have any penalty charges for passing on Medicare when in their Initial Enrollment Period. After the review it should be clear to the client if Medicare or their employer's coverage  would be best for them.

Medicare Melanie · Answer

If you are turning 65 and still working, you should not delay Medicare without an extremely thorough needs analysis with a Broker. When you delay Medicare, you'll later have to -- what we call 'clean up the mess'. When you later try to apply for the parts of Medicare you delayed, you'll have to prove to the Government that you had creditable coverage for the years you've delayed your Medicare. While our team will walk you through this and get it done, I can assure you that when dealing with the government (social security) nothing is ever 'cut and dry'.

Donald E Oates, CLU, ChFC, RTRP · Answer

Yes, but only in Part A. There is no need to enroll in Part B while you are covered with group insurance. There is no reason to waste your money on Part B premiums while working if you are covered with insurance at work.

Anthony Guerrero · Answer

As long as the senior is employed and has medical coverage through the employer they can delay enrollment in Medicare. They can then enroll in Medicare 60 days before their final day of work.

Ken Brzezinski · Answer

As long as a person has creditable insurance that meets or exceeds that offered by Medicare, there is no reason to join Medicare. Medicare requests that you consult with your employer to see how your plan works with Medicare.

Tasha Riggs · Answer

Depends on the plan.  Most my clients go on Medicare even if it costs more because the coverage is stronger. For instance a Plan G is only a 257 deductible then you have 100% Coverage.

Kerwyn Jones · Answer

If still working at 65, a senior do not have to enroll into Medicare. It depends on several factors. For example, 
1. Is there coverage very affordable and even cheaper than Medicare Part B
2. When compared to Medicare coverage, it maybe better, particularly for certain medications.
3. Are family members on their Employers coverage. By going onto Medicare, those family members will have to seek Alternative coverage

Samantha Jellison · Answer

It depends. Are they on their Employer’s group coverage plan? Is it creditable? Is it more expensive than Medicare? There are a lot of factors to consider. Do you have a spouse under 65 that you are providing coverage for? Does is make sense financially? 
This is why it’s important to work one on one with an agent/broker in order to determine what is right for you.

Jim Tretola · Answer

They can feel free to enroll in Part A and get their card. However, they should not enroll in Part B unless they want to get their own Medicare insurance and begin paying for Part B. If this is less than what their employer Plan costs, they are always able to get their own Medicare. Keep in mind, though, if they have family insurance, they may want to consider all costs involved. Good Brokers will never have you get insurance that is not as good or more expensive than what you already have.

Mike Henry · Answer

Medicare Part A only. Also talk to HR to see if it makes more sense to go on Medicare fully from a financial standpoint. You’ll have to get a Medicare Part D for your drugs

John L Herman Jr · Answer

Turning 65 starts the ball rolling as MEDICARE is automatic for all who are entitled to it.  Whether the Senior continues to work, whether their current employer has “credible” insurance, perhaps the Senior is ex-Military…there are many facets that determine the answer to this question.  

And as always I recommend speaking with a Licensed Independent Broker who has studied hard to obtain their State License, and then studied further to become appointed to enroll clients in all major Insurance Carriers in a given area.

Gary Church · Answer

A senior turning 65 who still works for a company with more than 20 employees does not have to enroll in Medicare. It may be helpful to speak with a licensed Medicare agent to review options. Consider whether the employer's health plan costs less or if Medicare offers better benefits and savings.

Esther Miller · Answer

If you have good benefits through your employer and you pay little or nothing for them, then it may be a good idea to keep your employer's coverage. Until you decide to cut down on work and work part-time only, or if you have other people on your plan, like children who need coverage. 

If you're paying for your own insurance on the health work network, you may find that Medicare is a much better bargain for you. And can give you more benefits than individual insurance on the health networks. 

The best advice I can give is to. Reach out to a medicare insurance agent to discuss the pros and cons of doing just that.

Karen Boudreaux · Answer

It depends some companies require you to apply for Medicare party and B. But if they don’t, it’s not necessary until you stop your employer coverage and some cases Medicare ANB is actually a better route to go along with having either a advantage plan or a Medicare supplement so that’s something that would be necessary to explore.

David Tedrow · Answer

It all depends on their employer's size (small vs. large) and EGHP (credible vs not credible) and if they are contributing to a HSA. There is no one size fits all answer to this question.

Conrad Baines Jr · Answer

If enrolled in qualified group coverage through the employer, Medicare enrollment can be delayed. Once Group coverage ends there will be an enrollment window to sign up for Medicare.

William Lawler · Answer

Turning 65 but still working? If you`re still working and have group health through work, you can delay enrolling in Part B. But you should enroll in Medicare Part A. Bill Lawler.

Diana Muhammad · Answer

Such an individual would want to make sure they are enrolled in Medicare Part A, and determine if they would remain covered for Part B by their employer.  Making these decisions in a timely manner is important to avoid any penalties. A Broker/Agent can assist with the transition.  Excellent question!  If further assistance is required, please advise

Anthony Albano · Answer

I would strongly advice sitting down with a licensed broker and compare Medicare to your group plan. It MAY be very beneficial. Otherwise, one should enroll in Medicare Part A assuming you have worked the required amount of quarters to receive Part A for free.

Kevin Price · Answer

It all depends on a cost and benefit analysis. Sometimes it is financially beneficial to go onto Medicare and leave group coverage. Other times it’s better to go onto Medicare because of a coverage basis. Everyone’s situation is different.

David Ryerson · Answer

That depends on a few different things. Are they covered through a job plan? Do they qualify for Part A at no cost to them? How big is the employer? How much are they paying for the work coverage. 

There is no one single answer to this question, each situation is unique.

Chad Watkins · Answer

Anyone who has employer coverage does not need to activate their Medicare part B as they would be paying a premium for insurance that they do not need. Therefore, they should delay it.

Leslie Helene Sussman · Answer

This is important to review with a Medicare broker.    If you are able 6-12 months before Turning 65 review with a broker your thoughts about continuing to work and if you are able to stay on your Employer plan.    Comparing an Employer plan to Medicare to understand if delaying Part B is necessary.

If this is a decision you are making contact me to review.

Pat Papson · Answer

Hello..
Absolutely enroll.  Sometimes they automatically enroll you.

Part A is free, as long as you have creditable insurance, you do not need to enroll in Part B, until you lose that coverage.

Hope this helps.

Daniel Salzman · Answer

It all depends if the employer coverage is creditable.  Part A is usually free if your worked a set amount of years.  You should definitely get part A.  When turning 65 and still working you should find out if your employer coverage is creditable for part B.  If it is great if not then don’t wait when you turn 65 enroll in part a and b

Carolyn Duncan · Answer

This is a complex answer which we discuss in depth with our perspective clients. The answer is not a yes or no but requires much more information to give a comprehensive answer. We start with when you end to retire and are you on an HSA? What is your current premium, Deductible, out of pocket max, and do you have any dependents currently on the plan. I would get an agent versed in group coverage. They can help with how to approach the HR department if any concerns arise.

Jennifer Kalbach · Answer

You should compare plans and costs to in order to make an informed decision.  You can stay on group coverage as long as it is an employer plan with over 19 employees (at least 20).

Tony Hardwick · Answer

In the event they have employer coverage, they should enroll and compare their Medicare Advantage option with their employer coverage to determine which is more beneficial.

Edward Cavelli · Answer

This is a case by case analysis and is hard to answer without more information. 
Does the senior have coverage through work? If so, what is the coverage like? How much is the coverage costing monthly to keep? 
These are all questions needed answered to determine the best decision.

Czarida Leyco · Answer

You dont have to enroll in Medicare if your turning 65 and choose to keep working, so long as you have credible health coverage with your current employer.

Terri Reagin · Answer

That depends on the job insurance being offered. The plans on the individual market are becoming more and more attractive. Typically there is a zero deductible choice, and very low copays. The drug coverage can often be the difference maker. I recommend a careful review with a local agent who can guide you about the pros and cons of the decision to enroll.

Ronnie Robinson Jr · Answer

Depends on the cost of coverage through their job. I've seen clients save on monthly premiums both ways, especially if their job is covering 100% of their medical insurance.

Evan Hountz · Answer

This depends on whether or not they have credible group insurance through their employment or a spouse's employment. They also want to compare Medicare vs their group insurance to see which coverage meets their needs more on a coverage and cost basis.

Charles Borg · Answer

In most cases they should enroll in Medicare, but they may not be able to delay Part B and Part D without penalty if they don't have qualifying employer coverage.

Gene Page · Answer

This question can only be answered on a case by case basis:
Does the employer pay for the entire health coverage or does the employee pay a portion, and how much? 
Does the employer offer an alternative payment to the employee to make the transition? 
Does the employer group coverage have creditable drug coverage? 
Does the employer have a group Medicare plan available?

Roseann Vandevender · Answer

Only if Medicare is better and less expensive coverage than their current plan.  Most group health plans are very expensive with minimal coverage, but when you meet with a client that IRMA costs for Medicare might make it beneficial for them to stay on current plan.

Norman Smith · Answer

Always good to talk to the professional either way! But some take their Part A as a backup to the existing coverage, even if they are deferring the Part B. But complete cost comparisons should be done to evaluate your best positioning.

John Henley · Answer

Yes, you can enroll in Part A, as long as you are enrolled in a group plan or an accredited individual plan, you can hold off on Part B and keep our guaranteed enrollment.

Robert Baez · Answer

Yes, apply for Part A, and if you're still in the health insurance at work, you can delay Part B.  



Robert Baez
Licensed Trusted Advisor

Más Health & Life
Health | Wealth | Life | Medicare

Contact me.

Lori Marion` · Answer

It depends. First find out what is allowed on the employer coverage. If you do have the opportunity to remain in that coverage,  get the summary of benefits together and let your agent help you decide the most advantageous plan for you.

Wagdy Saadalla · Answer

When you turn 65, You have to enroll in Medicare Part B, but if you work in a company offers Group health insurance for more than 25 enrollees, then you do not have to enroll in Medicare part B, you can delay.

Nora Alishahi · Answer

Always depends of the coverage the employer provides. You can delay if there is employer coverage otherwise is smart to enroll. All situations are different

Pamela Masters · Answer

That can be a complicated question to answer. It all depends on your specific situation. 
 The best way to get information about this is to go to Medicare.gov. They can break it down to the scenario that fits your needs and situation.

Oscar Chavez · Answer

If you are turning 65 and still working and have insurance through your job that has more than 20 employees, you could delay it.

Robert Sowry · Answer

There can be contributing factors that play a part in determining if someone should enroll or delay Medicare if continuing to work after 65. For instance, creditable coverage and costs are a few of the items to consider. It is always a good practice to speak with a local agent about how these factors could affect your decision.

Todd Bostic · Answer

The best advice is to compare the work insurance versus the Medicare coverage you are wanting to get, but from my experience, typically you will get more benefits from your work insurance.

Jaye Maxx Alexander II · Answer

I would strongly recommend delaying your Medicare if your employer has better coverage that is less expensive than Medicare. You need to sit with a professional agent and allow them to comprehensively review your current plan and future options versus what is available in the Medicare realm.

Jackson Cassibry · Answer

Call me to discuss. You should apply for Medicare Part A but possibly hold off on Part B for time being, however again, Medicare is NOT a one size fits all product and really depends on several factors

Babs Atwell · Answer

This is a complex question, and one that I would recommend a personalized consultation with a trusted local agent/broker.  Every situation is different, and unique. I have had many clients who have opted to delay as well as many who have opted to enroll in Medicare while continuing to work.

Daniel Brechin · Answer

This would be a good time to ask questions to your agent and to your employer.   Compare whick works out better.  If, you are planning to work for the employee till 70 then keep your employer group insurance.

Tai Thao · Answer

Working full time past 65, should delay Medicare due to cost. Employers group plans can be cheaper and better than Medicare.

Darlene Murphy · Answer

That is depending on the person, but most defer or delay signing up for Part B as their other coverage is just as good. Just be careful, as the employee coverage has deductibles, Medicare does not pay for.

Allison Chapman · Answer

As long as you have quailifying coverage then you will not be penalized and can continue coverage at work until you retire.

James Carlson · Answer

There are many reasons to start medicare even when continuing to work.  Les cost, more benefits, less costly drugs.

Larry Pereiro · Answer

The answer would depend on several factors, one is whether or not their group coverage considered credible coverage by CMS. Your HR department is required to inform you about this.

Dalyaness Martinez · Answer

Depends on if the senior has health insurance through employer, and how is the coverage. Also, if he is planning on staying working as well. We can discuss more about it if you want to.

Mary Tran · Answer

Even you are still working, you need to enroll 
Medicare part A . When you’re retired then you continue enrolling part B and D to avoid penalty.

Gary Henderson · Answer

Always enroll in part A hospital 
It's free and will work to pay hospital bills with your current plan.

Elea Sherrod · Answer

If you are turning 65, still working and enrolled in employer coverage in some instances you can delay enrollment in Part B.

Shannon Mayfield · Answer

That question also depends on several factors and will not have the same answer for everyone. It is important to know if your employer coverage is considered credible coverage for Medicare.  It is also important to know who pays first- Medicare or the group coverage.  That is different for different employers.  Talk to a broker to discuss your unique situation and find out which options are best for you.

Cynthia Haworth · Answer

That is a very good question.  Some companies do not allow individuals on their private insurance past 65, other companies will allow it.  But I always ask the question, "What are you paying now for employer insurance."  Sometimes, but not too often is it less than Medicare plans.  We have $0 monthly premium Advantage plans.  Call me and I will give you details.

Amy Putrino · Answer

This is a very tricky question.  There are many variables.  Each individual should seek guidance to make sure that they make the solid choice and avoid penalties, down the line.

Brittany Morris · Answer

My Favorite question! Always always always review what you’re offered by Medicare even if you’re still working! You may find tons of savings in premium or be able to really improve your coverage! Comparing the two will give you best answer to your question but not comparing it could cost you in the long run!

Eddie Tune · Answer

I have not found group benefits are as good as the medicare options available to customers. also the cost is more expensive to stay on their group.

Victoria R. Trevino · Answer

In this scenario, I recommend a no-cost consultation with me to review the Medicare clients particular situation. There are several factors to consider when adivising a client whether or not to enroll in Medicare at age 65 (example: size of the employer, credible coverage,etc).

Carol Thompson · Answer

Depends on the cost of the employer plan versus an independent plan. Consult with an agent/broker to determine what best suits your needs and a peace of mind.

Bruce Kaserman · Answer

It depends on how good that your health insurance is.  I'd like to give you a recent example.  It is my real life story.  I turn 65 on July 25 and my Medicare birthday is July 1.  We were using my wife's COBRA insurance but that ran out.  In the interim, I had signed up for an Advisor's group health insurance plan with the idea to sign up for Medicare A and B.  I decided to apply on April 1.  Well being that you have to apply through Social Security and apply through ID.Gov or another website, you wouldn't believe the hoops and ladders that I had to go through to apply.  I even got a letter from Social Security to call an 866 number and when I made that telephone call, it turned out to be deceptive as another insurance agent picked up the phone and would not sign me up for A and B unless I applied for Medicare Advantage through him.  I then answered, "why would I let you make a commission on me and why are you using deceptive advertising" He quickly hung up the phone on me.  So on May 5, Cinco de Mayo, I decided to pay a visit over to my local Social Security Offfice.  I took my number and waited for an hour until my number was called.  When I was called , I was told that I needed to wait for a telephone call and could not give me a date before my July 1 Medicare birthday.  I asked him what I should do and the Social Security Employee told me to go without insurance.  First of all, Social Security should NOT be giving recommendations like that. and I called the employee out on this.  Finally he gave me a website and had me apply on this site: ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up and somehow it finally let me sign up for Medicare Part A and B.  Now let's see if I get my Medicare card on time!

Frank Carta · Answer

It depends on your medical coverage. If it is creditable coverage, then you are good.
If not, please refer to my previous answers to this topic.

Joseph Peck · Answer

Each situation is different. That is why i come out, review your scenario, and figure out what is best for you.

Mindy Foran · Answer

That question is based on a lot of factors that we would discuss in our initial meeting.  The answer is not the same for everyone.

Iris Olive · Answer

If a senior is turning 65 and still working, we would need to take into account what the seniors goals are. Then we can determine what is the appropriate avenue to recommend for their insurance options.