Medicare Questions & Answers: Retirement
Retirement Q&A
Showing 8 questions
I'm retiring next year - do I need to do anything with my Medicare?
If you're retiring next year and turning 65, you'll need to sign up for Medicare (Part A and Part B) through Social Security, either online or by contacting your local office, to avoid potential gaps in coverage or penalties.
Can I use a health savings account (HSA) to pay Medicare premiums after I retire?
Yes, absolutely. In addition to paying Medicare Part B, Part D, and Medicare Advantage (Part C) premiums, you can also use your HSA funds tax-free to cover out-of-pocket costs like copays, coinsurance, and deductibles for those plans. That includes copays at the pharmacy under Part D or doctor visit copays under a Medicare Advantage plan. HSA funds can also be used for dental, vision, and hearing expenses—even if Medicare doesn't cover them. Just remember, once you're enrolled in any part of Medicare, you can no longer contribute to your HSA, but you can continue to spend what you've already saved. It's a great preplanning tool for managing healthcare costs in retirement with tax advantages.
Will Medicare cover everything my current employer plan does?
In general, most people on Medicare who receive employer health insurance will delay Medicare Part B enrollment. In this case Medicare Part A (in-patient services) is billed first. I would contact your employer health insurance plan to find out what your cost sharing would be for specific services.
I'm still working at 67, and I don't know if I need Part B. Why is something so basic so hard to figure out?
Answering the first question first: it’s hard to figure out because the government wrote it! They don’t really understand how to make things simple.…Here’s the quick rule about employer insurance after age 65: if your employer has 20 or more employees and you are covered by the employer’s insurance and still working, you can delay part B as long as you want with no concern about having a penalty later. The moment that you stop working for that employer or discontinue that insurance, that’s the time that you need to enroll into Medicare part B in order to avoid a penalty.
I always advise my clients to compare the costs and coverage of the employer plan versus Medicare so they can make an informed decision.
What do I need to do if I didn't take Medicare at 65 and am now retiring?
A few things need to happen AHEAD of your retirement date. First, once you know the date you are retiring you will need to apply for Medicare Part B. You will need to create a 'special enrollment period' as you are (most likely) outside your turning 65 enrollment period. You will need to fill out Medicare Forms: CMS L564 and CMS 40B. CMS L564 is partly filled out by you and then the remainder is completed by your employer. It explains that you are retiring and losing employer coverage. CMS 40B is your application for Medicare Part B. It, along with CMS L564, explains to Medicare that you are losing coverage through your employer and now need to elect your Medicare Part B benefits.
What role do annuities play in retirement planning?
Imagine having a reliable stream of income flowing in during your retirement. That's the magic of annuities! You can purchase an annuity with a lump sum or through regular payments, and it can provide a guaranteed income stream throughout your retirement. Some annuities even offer lifetime income, meaning you'll receive regular payments no matter how long you live. This can be a game-changer for supplementing Social Security and other retirement income, allowing you to live comfortably and worry-free.
My income fluctuates significantly year to year from investment distributions. How can I avoid IRMAA surcharges when I have an unusually high-income year?
IRMAA charges are calculated each year based on your tax return of two years ago. In any one year, you have a fluctuation, you can appeal an IRMAA by filling out an SSA-44 form. this can be found on and downloaded from the SSA.gov website.
I worked for the federal government for 30 years and took early retirement. How does my federal retirement affect my Medicare options?
Well that depends on a lot of factors. If you are not 65 then you don't have an option to get on medicare unless you are diagnosed with a disability.If you are 65 and the your coverage will stop at 65 then you need to get on medicare part A and
B.
If you are 65 and the government is giving you lifetime coverage then you need to see if it is worth paying the medicare part B premium and adding medicare or just staying on your current coverage.
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