I'm turning 65 in three months but still working with employer coverage. Do I need to sign up for Medicare right now or can I wait?
Answered by 99 licensed agents
You can wait as long as you are maintaining employer coverage. Medicare part A will still get assigned to you but (as long as you are not receiving SS benefits) not part B. When you do choose to leave employer coverage make sure you visit SSA.gov and “apply for Medicare part B only”. Keep in mind this may take at least a few weeks and you may have to collect some signatures from your employers HR dept so start this process at least a month before you plan on quitting/ leaving employer coverage.
If you work for a company with 20 or more employees, you don't have to enroll in Medicare Part B. You can choose to wait. It might be helpful to compare the costs of your group health plan with Medicare to see which offers better benefits.
I am Bill Lawler, a Medicare agent broker, here to answer your question. You mentioned you're turning 65 in three months, and you have coverage through your employer. I assume you intend on continuing to work. If you do, that's fine, but I would go ahead and enroll in Medicare Part A; there's no cost for this. For Part B, there is a monthly premium of $185 in 2025, but because you have coverage through your employer, you can forgo enrolling in Part B right now. If you decide in the future to retire or leave your employment and that health coverage ends, you have 60 days to enroll in Part B without penalty. If you have any further questions, give me a call.
I'm turning 65 in three months but still working with employer coverage. Do I need to sign up for Medicare right now, or can I wait? I hear that question every day here at my State Farm agency on Kelly Street in Manchester. As long as your employer has 20 or more employees, they don't have to be on the health plan, but they have 20 or more employees. You can stay on that employer coverage.
Here's what you have to ask yourself: What are my deductibles with the employer coverage? What are my out-of-pocket expenses? Does it make sense to go on Original Medicare, Parts A and B? Does it make sense to go on Medicare Parts A and B and add a supplement, or go Medicare Part C? All the alphabet soup! That's why you want to deal with someone like myself who deals with these questions every day and helps people make these decisions. Great information will help you make great decisions. Please allow us to help you.
You do not need to sign up for Part B coverage yet. If your employer is offering amazing coverage or you need to have that coverage to cover a spouse then I would wait to sign up. Ask your local broker which would be best for your situation.
It’s your choice. You can stay on your employer plan or you can sign up for Medicare. (Do you cover other family members on your employer plan? That’s also something to consider when making a change.) You should meet with a trusted Health Insurance Advisor. A Health Insurance Advisor can compare your current Employer plan to the options you would have if you chose to be on a Medicare plan and help you decide what type of plan would be best for you and your specific situation. One of the big differences I see when I help people compare their Employer plan to various Medicare plans is that employer plans tend to have a very high medical deductible and Medicare plans do not. Compare your options and see what works better for your personal needs, coverages, and finances.
No, you do not need to as long as the employer has 20 employees or greater. You can continue to stay on your employer's Health Insurance until you retire. If the employer has 19 or less employees, you need to go ahead and sign up for Medicare.
You can wait until you retire unless your employer has less than 20 employees. If your employer has less than 20 employees you would need to sign up for medicare. If you are not paying into an health savings account I would sign up for Part A only. It will be secondary to your group.
Medicare will not force you into starting Medicare coverage. If you are content with your group plan, you can stay with it. I recommend you at least compare your options before deciding which plan to use. Also, if you stay with your group coverage, make sure to coordinate the start of your Medicare with the end of your group coverage.
That’s a great question! You can delay enrolling in Part B original Medicare as long as your employer Group coverage has more than 20 employees.
whenever you leave that Group coverage or retire - You would need to take an extra step to get on Part B. Also, make sure not to take COBRA because that is typically not considered creditable coverage.
I’m happy to help if you need. these are complicated issues and I’m very knowledgeable. I’ll put everything in writing for you to back up what I say.
Set up your my social security account online. You do not have to collect benefits yet but it will ensure you are enrolled in Medicare on time. It may make sense to delay Part B enrollment if you are still working and have "credible coverage". You want to avoid signing up late for Part B, there are lifetime penalties if you do not enroll in time.
Credible coverage is coverage that is at least as good as what Original Medicare offers, discuss this with your Human Resources department, and contact an Independent Insurance broker.
Medicare.gov and the medicare and you handbook are also good resources.
If your employer has 20+ employees (size or enrolled in a plan), this varies from state to state, then you need not enroll in Part B. You can enroll in Part A only. But may also choose to Delay Part A if you are on a High-Deductible Health Plan and are making contributions to an HSA. The Part B can be enrolled in any time after but before 8 months of losing Employer coverage, to avoid Part B Late Enrollment Penalty. If you work for a small employer, then you will have to enroll in Parts A and B so the group plan can coordinate benefits with Medicare, unless you do not have enough work history and are not Eligible for premium free Part A.
You do not have to sign up for Medicare. But if you or a spouse (even if widowed/divorced) worked for 10 years (40 quarters) and therefore paid the Medicare tax, then you might as well sign up for at least Part A. That's because that entitles you to premium free Part A (you or the spouse already paid for it). Now Part B is different. Nearly everybody pays the Part B premium either by a Social Security deposit deduction or, if you don't receive any type of Social Security income, Medicare will bill you 3 months at a time for the Part B premium. So if you continue to work beyond age 65 and you like your company's insurance, then don't sign up for Part B. In most cases you are not required to have Part B when you keep insurance at work (although some companies are starting to require it). But later, when you leave that insurance plan, you will need to sign up for Part B within 8 months and show proof (your HR dept. can help with this) that you had creditable coverage, so that you are not assessed a penalty (10% for each year you do not have creditable coverage) and you will also have to have Parts A & B (you'll start paying the Part B premium) to get any type of Medicare insurance, such as a Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage plan. You would most likely need to do the same with Part D (drugs), although the penalty assessment starts 63 days after leaving your current creditable coverage.
Before you decide, please find out if your employer coverage is considered to be creditable. If it is, you can delay your medicare, or at least, your part B and continue through with your employer coverage for as long as you qualify for it without having to worry about a penalty. Important detail, there are two separate penalties if your coverage was not creditable. One is for medical or part B, another one is for part D. If your coverage is credible those penalties do not apply and you can turn your part B on when you are ready to leave your employer plan.
Technically no, if you have 20 or more employees at your work/on group plan, that's considered qualified coverage and you won't have a late penalty. HOWEVER, we always say don't be lazy and at least sign up for Part A ONLY. That way when you go to "turn on" Part B, A is already established and you have a Medicare Beneficiary Identification number (MBI). We say whatever is best/cheapest is what you should have if working past 65. If anyone tells you any different, that's just not true. Check with a local, reputable brokerage that specializes in health insurance and Medicare, they'll be able to guide you properly.
If you are enrolled in a qualified Employer plan with credible prescription coverage, you do NOT have to sign up for Medicare when turning 65. However, every situation is different so it's possible you may want to sign up for Medicare depending upon cost and benefits of your Employer plan.
If can stay on your group plan if you like, you do not have to leave it. But, If your group plan costs more than Medicare, you would probably save some money by moving to Medicare.
You don’t need to sign up right now. But it’s always good to compare the cost of Medicare & supplement plans to your group coverage. You could save a lot of more by going with Medicare.
The short answer is no, but you can. If your employer is a large group (at least 20 employees), they can not force you to exit your group plan and go on Medicare. Having said that, it may not be a bad idea depending on your income, how much the group insurance is costing you, and what your benefits and deductibles look like. You generally have the option of deferring Part B until you are ready to leave the group plan. We sit down with our clients and review their current summary of benefits and costs to see if it would make better financial sense to stay put or make the move.
If you are going to continue to work and keep employer health coverage, then you should just sign up for Medicare Part A, and wait on Part B. There is no point in paying the Part B premium and your health coverage at work at the same time. When you finally decide to retire and kick the employer health plan to the curb, then you should sign up for Part B, to get your open enrollment started for signing up on a med supp or an MAPD plan of your choosing. You should also check with your Human Resources to make sure that is what they recommend as well. They generally have more experience in this matter, and coordinating your coverage with enrollment in Part B to your advantage.
You can wait, but you should still sign up for part A. Depending on the cost of your employer plan you may want to consider getting on Medicare Part A & B, with a drug plan. Or looking into Traditional Medicare with a Medicare Supplement plan.
This question is the cause of much stress and indecision for many who are trying to figure out the right time to join Medicare. On the bright side, there are many different pathways to join Medicare, but unfortunately, having too many options can be confusing and opens the possibility of choosing a wrong path at the wrong time. Missteps may include missing time-specific guarantees, unexpected higher taxes, and lifetime penalties.
If you are contributing to an HSA (health savings account), you can no longer contribute pre-tax dollars when you join Medicare. So, if you want to continue building a pre-tax HSA, consider delaying your entry. If you are not contributing to an HSA and will be on a plan that is considered credible coverage for Medicare, you can take Part A at 65 as a secondary hospital coverage and join Part B when you leave the credible coverage.
If your credible coverage plan is better in terms of coverage and/or cost than Medicare, consider staying with the plan after 65. However, if Medicare is the better deal, consider joining at 65.
If you are not on credible coverage after 65, Medicare will impose a 10% per year Part B penalty and 1% per month Part D penalty. These are both lifetime penalties. Ensure your coverage is credible!
There is a 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment period when you first join Medicare Part B where you are guaranteed to be issued a Medigap policy with no questions asked about your health. If you are outside a Guaranteed Issue Rights window, you may have to pass medical underwriting to obtain a policy. Every situation is different! Make sure you get trusted advice on which path may best suit your needs.
You must put together a comparison sheet between your employer plan’s healthcare benefits with those through Medicare. If you’re working for a small company, most likely Medicare will surpass your employer benefits. Since you’re right in that sweet spot where you must make that very important decision, you need to interview 2-3 agents who will help with your overview of the VERY quirky Medicare system. You cannot put this off! It is THE most impactful choice you will make for the rest of your life. A few more things: 1) Are you healthy?, + 2) What is your family’s history of longevity?, and lastly, 3) How are your finances should you develop some major health changes in your life? This is an IMPERATIVE. Please don’t get lazy!
You should compare & contrast your Group health insurance coverage with Original Medicare & a Medicare Supplement insurance policy. Do this before you make this decision.
Medicare Part A is hospital insurance. It covers inpatient treatment in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. It also covers hospice care and home health care, and may provide coverage for long-term care for a limited number of days.
Medicare Part B is medical insurance and covers costs for medically necessary services and preventive health services. This includes coverage for clinical research, ambulance services, durable medical equipment, and some mental health services. Part A and Part B together are known as Original Medicare.
If your employer has more than 20 employees and the coverage is considered to be creditable, you can elect to hold off on enrollment in Medicare Part B. You should automatically receive a Medicare card with Part A & B listed, but you can decline Part B until you need it. Part A should be free and only adds additional coverage for you if you become hospitalized or require skilled nursing care.
You will most likely automatically be enrolled in Part A but if you still have coverage through your employer then you will want to delay your part B enrollment to avoid having to pay your part B premium which will be $206 a month starting in 2026. If you have credible coverage through your employer you will not get a late enrollment penalty for delaying enrollment in Part B
Depends, if you have coverage as good as medicare at work and your employer has 20 or more employees then you do not have to sign up for Medicare. However, if you have at least 40 quarters of paying into Medicare then you qualify for Part A Medicare for no charge. Smart to go ahead and sign up for part A . Part B does require monthly premium and can be put off until your lose you creditable Employer coverage.
If you’re still working and have credible employer coverage through your job (or your spouse’s job), you can usually delay Medicare Part B without penalty.
Most people should still enroll in Medicare Part A at 65 if it’s premium-free, but there are exceptions — especially if you contribute to an HSA.
When your employer coverage ends, you’ll get a Special Enrollment Period to sign up for Medicare.
It’s smart to review your specific situation with a licensed Medicare advisor because company size and HSA contributions can change the answer.
If your employer coverage is creditable towards Medicare (meaning your employer has 20 or more employees) then you should be able to defer Part B. When you are ready to take Part B when you retire, you will need to prove that you have creditable coverage, or you will receive a late enrollment penalty.
It depends on the cost/benefit of that coverage vs Medicare. Part A/Hospital coverage is premium free. Part B/Medical Insurance has a $185 monthly premium in 2025 - more if you are a high income earner. Cost of Medicare Supplement and Part D Rx plan $125-$150/month. Or...a Medicare Advantage plan with zero to $100/month premium and copays for services - While your employer coverage may or may not be 100% paid by your employer, the plan probably has a $1,000 annual deductible and Medicare has @57 this year. A bit of discussion and planning with a Medicare Professional will go a long way for you!
You may have to enroll in Medicare. Each situation is different. If you work for a company that has 20 or more employees and offers creditable health and drug coverage, you typically do not have to apply for Medicare. As long as you stay actively working and enrolled in your employer plan. However, if you work for a company that has less than 20 employees, you typically would need to enroll in Medicare since Medicare would become your primary insurance. I always tell people to check with HR to see their rules.
If the company you work for has more than 20 employees, generally that means your coverage is considered creditable so you could stay on your employer coverage and delay Medicare. However, there are caveats to it so it's best to ask your HR dept if it is creditable coverage and speak with a licensed Broker to go over the implications of doing so.
Do not wait, that will create a penalty for life. Keep your employer credible coverage (20 employees or more enrolled) and advise the social security office your decision.
I'm Cody Brown, a senior benefits services agent. Today's question is, "I'm turning 65 in three months but still working with employer coverage. Do I need to sign up for Medicare now or can I wait?" This is probably the most common question I get from people aging into Medicare, and it's very important that you figure this out in advance because they don't automatically enroll you into Medicare. Just because you are continuing to work and keep your insurance doesn't mean that it's the better option compared to going on to Medicare.
Now, for most people, it's just convenient for them to continue with their insurance through work, and sometimes that's the better option. Sometimes it saves you more money and gives you better coverage. But what I find is Medicare typically beats most employer-provided insurances. Usually, you can get it for a lower premium and less out-of-pocket costs. It's not always the case, but it's important to make sure that you review your employer plan with Medicare to see if, even if you do keep working, you want to get off of it and go on Medicare because it might be more beneficial to you.
So make sure you're working with a local trusted expert who's going to give you unbiased opinions. I turn people away all the time and tell them to stay on their employer insurance if it's best for them. You don't have to sign up for Medicare whenever you turn 65. If you're not currently drawing Social Security and you just want to keep your employer insurance, you don't have to do anything.
It's a good idea to go ahead and make sure you keep Part A of Medicare, but you can delay your Part B for however long you want, as long as you keep that credible insurance through your employer. You don't have to pay any penalties down the road whenever you decide to get on Medicare.
As long as you keep your employer coverage you can wait with no problem and no penalties. When you want to sign up with Medicare start the process a couple of months in advance. They will be a form for you and your employer to complete to prove you had credible coverage
Yes, you will need to apply for a least Part A. If you are getting health insurance thru your employer, just part A. If you decide to drop your employer coverage and get a Medicare Advantage plan then you would also need Medicare Part B
If you are covered by an employer plan, then you have credible coverage. You are not required to sign up for Medicare, but you can. If you think that Medicare would be less expensive and have better coverage than your employer plan.
If you're still working and on your employers insurance plan, you can apply for Medicare Part A (which doesn't cost you anything) then when you're ready to retire from your job is when you can apply for Part B, which for 2025 is $185 per month, you are also then able to get a Medicare Advantage Plan, which will give you the extra ancillary benefits, with dental, vision, free gym membership, prescription drug coverage and so much more. If you have chronic serious conditions, then you would want to be on a Medicare Supplemental Plan.
You may enroll in Part A and be able to delay enrolling in Part B if you are able to keep your employer insurance. Please confirm your coverage with your company human resource to confirm coverage during your initial enrollment period.
The answer to this question is dependent on several factors. The size of your employer and whether or not the employer coverage is deemed creditable for Medicare parts B and D have significant impact as to whether or not you should start Medicare at 65. There are also additional considerations if you are contributing to a Health Savings Account.
This question is ultimately best answered by meeting with a Medicare professional to discuss your individual circumstances and follow up with your employer benefits department.
That’s a great question and the answer depends on how many people work for your employer and the details of how your coverage works.
If you work for an employer with 20 or more employees, you can generally delay Medicare Part B and Part D with no penalty as long as you have health coverage through your employer. You would get a Special Enrollment Period to enroll in Medicare when you retire or lose that coverage and sign up without late penalties.
If your employer has less than 20 employees, then your employer coverage generally becomes secondary to Medicare at 65. In that case, it’s usually necessary to enroll in Medicare when you’re first eligible to avoid gaps in coverage or late penalties.
Regardless, most people still enroll in Part A at 65 as it generally has no premium, though people sometimes delay even Part A if they have a Health Savings Account (HSA) with their employer.
Because the rules are complicated, the best next step is to call your employer’s HR/benefits office to find out how their coverage coordinates with Medicare. After that, I can help you determine whether it makes sense to enroll now or wait.
Working, you do not need to enroll in Medicare. However, if you work for a company with less than 20 employees, your group health plan may not pay unless you have Medicare Part A and B in place. In this case Medicare would pay as primary and your EGH Plan will pay as secondary.
It depends on how you are receiving your current insurance. If you are receiving employer-sponsored health insurance through either your or your spouse’s job when you turn 65, you may be able to keep your insurance until you (or your spouse) retire(s). You will need to contact your employer’s benefits representative to find out whether they will continue your coverage when you turn 65. Since Medicare Part A is premium-free for most beneficiaries, you may want to enroll in Part A as soon as you are eligible (i.e., three months prior to the month of your 65th birthday), even if you will continue to receive employer-sponsored insurance at that time. If you are covered under an employer plan, you may want to delay signing up for Part B until you (or your spouse) retire(s). However, it is a good idea to check with Social Security or Medicare to confirm that you will not face a penalty for late enrollment. Similarly, unless you have drug coverage that is as good as what Medicare drug plans offer, you will need to sign up for a Medicare prescription drug plan when you enroll in Medicare or you may face a late enrollment penalty.
You do not need to enroll in part B, but should still enroll in part A to avoid any potential penalties. *Unless you are currently contributing to an HSA account.*There may be penalties attached to signing up for part A if you are contributing to an HSA.
You generally can wait to sign up for Medicare Part B if you or your spouse have a group health plan based on current employment, allowing you to avoid a late enrollment penalty, but it's essential to contact your employer's benefits administrator to confirm this eligibility. Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) may be free, so some people sign up for it at age 65 while delaying Part B. However, if your employer has fewer than 20 employees, you will need to enroll in Medicare Parts A and B at age 65 because your employer plan will be secondary
Both. Sign up for Part A, as it is free and will help cover any hospital expenses. You can defer Part B until you leave your employers plan, which you can at anytime to go on Medicare.
See which coverage is better, Your employers, or medicare B with a supplement plan.
Great question - and one that trips up a lot of people. Whether you need to sign up for Medicare at 65 while still working depends on the size of your employer and the type of coverage you have. If you work for a large employer (20+ Employees) you can delay Medicare Part B (and Part D) without penalty if you have CREDIBLE employer coverage. If you work for a small employer (<20 Employees) You should enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B when you turn 65.
If you are still working and covered by an employer plan you are not required to sign up for Medicare Part B. As long as you qualify, Part A will be automatic at age 65. As long as you have credible coverage through the employer plan there should not be a Part B or Part D penalty for delaying coverage.
Medicare part A only. If it makes more sense economically you might want to consider signing up totally for Medicare part B and D. You need to have a discussion with your employer
You can wait with no penalty until you decide to go off the group. You will have Part A hospital but you get the Part B once you decide to go off the group plan and apply for Part B with Social Security or the Dept of SSI You have 8 months to make the transition before you are penalized
Depends, do you work for an employer with at least 20 people in the group plan? If so then you can stay on their coverage for now until you leave then you have a window to join MA. Taking Part A costs you nothing but Part B has a premium. I suggest you look at the costs involved. Talk to an agent in person for more info.
You can hold off on part B for a while without getting penalties and if you have credible coverage but you can still sign up for original Medicare and it will be secondary to your primary insurance paying balance of what your primary insurance does not.
You can wait. However, you will receive a letter from Social Security, and they will provide you with your information for Medicare. You automatically get part A, and you can refuse the
Each situation is different. I look at the options that you have to make sure you are on the best coverage for you, plus making sure you dont worry about penalties and fees.
As long as you are working and your employer medical insurance plan is considered creditable coverage then you don't necessarily have to apply for Medicare Coverage. In general, what will happen is Medicare Part A will automatically become effective once your turn 65 whether you are still working or not. When getting close to age 65 while also working you should do your due diligence and compare your Medicare options, benefits and costs with your employer plan to ensure you are getting the best plan at the most competitive rate that provides the care you need. Sometimes the employer medical insurance is the best option and other times Medicare is the better option.
You can wait. You should call Social Security to defer your enrollment if that’s your intention. A lot of people will get Medicare Part A (if they have no premium) at 65 and get Part B when they retire. Just make sure if you have Part A that you don’t also make new contributions to an HSA through your employer insurance after your Part A start date as that can result in tax penalties.
You should definitely apply for Part A as it has no cost to you. You can defer Part B while you are still using your work coverage. I would do a comparison with Medicare to see if you could possibly save money on your Medicare coverage. If you do stop your work coverage, you have 2 months to make a Medicare decision. Ask your benefits person if they can help you with deferring Part B as they should have some kind of form. Make sure your coverage remains the same when you turn 65, as there are some employers that will push you to take Medicare by increasing your premiums.
You can still enroll in Medicare Part A now since it’s usually premium-free if you’ve worked enough years, but confirm with your HR or benefits department first—especially if you have a Health Savings Account (HSA). Once you enroll in any part of Medicare, you can no longer contribute to an HSA.
You can wait, however, there's a good chance you could save money by going on Medicare and even get better coverage. That's why it's important that you get together with an independent Medicare agent/broker like myself, who will do a thorough needs analysis and help you compare your employer insurance to Medicare. There's a good chance you will most likely choose to leave your employer insurance and go on medicare, even though you're still working.
If you have worked 10 years or 40 quarters, my suggestion is for you to sign up for Medicare Part A only. It will not have a costs and already having Part A will make it easier for your to get Medicare Part B when the times comes for you to leave your employer coverage in the future.
In short, no, you don't HAVE to sign up for Medicare. If you are not making HSA contributions you should probably get Part A ($0/mo) for secondary hospital coverage. However, if you work for an employer with less than 20 employees, Medicare is viewed as your primary payor and enrollment in Medicare and possibly supplemental/Part C coverage would be required. If you are able to keep employer coverage beyond age 65 then do not enroll in Part B and address it 3-6 months before retirement.
You can & should wait if you have good health coverage through your employer with creditable drug coverage & if it’s not super expensive for you. You should automatically get Part A coverage which doesn’t cost you anything so long as you have worked for 10 years or more but opt out of Part B which costs $185. per month this year & going to $206.50 for 2026.
If you have qualified employer coverage you do not NEED to sign up for Medicare right now. Although it may provide better coverage at a lower cost, you will not incur a penalty for a late enrollment if your group coverage is adequate.
It really depends on how many employees are full time. If there are more than 20 employees, you only need to sign up for Part A, if there are less than 20 you'll need to sign up for both Part A & B. Check with your HR department to verify how many full time employees there are.
Once you're ready to retire you'll have a SEP (Special Election Period) to sign up for Part B and then 8 months to choose your Medicare Supplement. However, beware, you only have 63 days from the time your group health insurance ends to pick up your Part D. If you wait, you'll pay a penalty of 1% per month for each month you didn't have this coverage.
It depends on your employer size. If your company has 20 or more employes, you can usually keep your employer plan and enroll in Medicare later. If your company has fewer than 20, you should sign up for Medicare now. You have 3 months after your 65th Birthday to enroll.
You do not need to enroll in Medicare while you are still working, but it would be advantageous to compare the cost and coverage difference. For MOST (not all) Medicare coverage would save money and often times also provide better coverage than an employee group plan.
If the company you works for has 20 or more employees, you generally do not need to sign up for Medicare Part B. Odds are, your Medicare Part A will start by default the month you turn 65 (unless your birthdate is the first of the month, then it starts the previous month).
If the company you work for has less than 20 employees, and they require you take Medicare Part B, then generally you should drop the employer coverage and go with full Medicare plus either a Medicare Supplement and Part D drug plan or a Medicare Advantage plan.
What you should do is compare the costs and benefits from your employer coverage to what you can get with full Medicare plus a Medicare Supplement and Part D drug plan, or a Medicare Advantage Plan. Many times full Medicare coverage is less expensive than employer coverage and offers better coverage. But sometimes it's not.
You should be enrolled in Part A, as far as Part B, that will depend on you, it may be more cost-effective to be enrolled in Part B and an additional Medd Supp or MAPD plan.
If you plan to continue to work and get the employer’s health coverage, you must contact the SS office to apply for Part A which you do not have to pay the premium if you have worked over 10 years. Then Stay with your employer’s plan until you fully retire and it does not cover you. Apply for part B, before the employer coverage ends.
Once you have part A and part B of Medicare, then you can contact a medicare agent to help you analyze how to complex your medicare coverage because the original Medicare A and B have limitations.
So today's question is, "I'm gonna be 65 in a few months, but I'm still working. Do I need to sign up for Medicare right away?" The short answer is probably not, as long as your employer has 20 or more employees. Chances are that you have what's called creditable coverage. So as long as you have that, you do not have to sign up for Medicare. Once that coverage is gone, whether you leave the employer or the coverage ends for a reason, then you have an eight-month window. I'd love to help, so reach out today.
This is a great question. One that will require some thought as to what is best for your situation. The first thing you need to determine is if your employer has 20 employees or fewer. If this is the case, you have no choice. Under Medicare guidelines, if your employer is under 20, it is primary. This means that Medicare is expected to pay for your medical services first, and then your employer coverage is secondary. If your employer has over 20 employees, then you have the choice to either go to Medicare or keep your existing coverage. Please consult a professional to guide you the rest of the way!
As long as your coverage is creditable (at least as good as coverage Medicare offers) and has prescription drug coverage, you can wait to sign up for Medicare Part A & B. Many individuals choose to sign up for Part A right away because it's a $0 premium for most people. However if your employer plan is a HDHP and you're contributing to an HSA, you do now want to enroll in Medicare Part A as it can have tax implications.
Your employer’s coverage might be all you need. Group plans can be expensive Medicare with a supplemental plan might give you better coverage at a lesser cost. It is always good to explore all of your options to see what works best for you and your family .
This is probably the most common question in Medicare, no you do not need to sign up for Medicare if you have credible coverage. You can postpone your part B as long as you have credible coverage.
However, if your company has fewer than 20 employees, you should sign up for Medicare part a and part B when your first eligible, Medicare becomes your primary and your employer pan plan becomes secondary.
If you’re turning 65 soon but still working and covered by your employer plan, you may not need to sign up for Medicare right away. It really depends on whether your employer coverage is considered “creditable” and how many employees your company has. Many people with large‑employer coverage can delay Part B without penalties, while those with smaller employers often need to enroll at 65.
The safest approach is to look at your employer plan, confirm whether it’s creditable, and make sure you’re not missing any deadlines. A quick review of your situation usually makes the answer clear and helps you avoid late‑enrollment penalties or gaps in coverage.
Great question! So it depends on the size of your employer and if you are currently receiving health insurance through your employer. If you are receiving insurance through your employer you may still want to sign up for Medicare Part A but could delay Part B until you either retire or if you lose insurance without penalty. Make sure you consult your employer and how your current insurance coordinates with Medicare. I would love the opportunity to work with you.
Hi, good question - no, you do not have to sign up right now, but many times, after comparing the costs associated with staying on an employer plan vs. switching to Medicare, we find it makes more sense to switch. Are you interested in scheduling a personalized Medicare Supplement comparison schedule?
You can likely wait to sign up for Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) without penalty if you have health coverage from a current employer (or spouse's) with 20+ employees, but you should enroll in Part A (Hospital Insurance) as it's usually free and can work alongside your job plan; contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) to confirm your employer size and enrollment window to avoid gaps or penalties when you eventually stop working.
Key Considerations
Employer Size Matters: If your employer (or your spouse's) has 20 or more employees, you can delay Part B enrollment and use your employer plan as primary, using Medicare as secondary. If fewer than 20, Medicare becomes primary at 65, and you need to sign up for both Parts A & B to avoid gaps/penalties.
Part A (Hospital): Most people get Part A premium-free. You can enroll at 65 and it often acts as secondary to your employer plan, helping with deductibles/coinsurance.
Part B (Medical): You can delay Part B without penalty if you have qualifying group health coverage from your current work. You'll use a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to sign up later when you stop working.
Part D (Prescription Drugs): Ensure your employer's drug plan is "creditable coverage," meaning it's as good as Medicare's Part D, to avoid penalties later.
What You Should Do Now (3 Months Before 65)
Contact SSA: Call the Social Security Administration or visit their website to understand your specific enrollment windows and options.
Talk to HR: Confirm your employer's group size and that their health plan is primary and considered "creditable" for Medicare purposes.
Consider Part A: Sign up for Part A if you're not automatically enrolled (if you're not collecting Social Security yet).
Plan for Part B: Decide if you want Part B to supplement your employer plan or wait until retirement to enroll via your SEP.
In short, You can likely wait to sign up for Part B, but it's crucial to coordinate with the SSA and your HR department to ensure you
A lot of people don’t realize how much money they can save by moving to Medicare when they are first eligible, even if they are still working, with health coverage through their employer. Many employers share the premium expense of group health insurance with their employees, resulting in a certain amount being withheld from the employee's paycheck(s) each month. Add to this that many traditional non-Medicare health insurance plans have high deductibles. A qualified Medicare Health Insurance Specialist can help individuals "do the math" and explain the pros and cons of transitioning to Medicare at age 65 versus deferring Medicare enrollment until later. Every individual's situation is different, so it is very important to engage an agent in the months leading up to one's 65th birthday.
Technically, no. If you want to avoid a penalty, maybe! Is your employer coverage considered “creditable”? Are you contributing to an HSA? How does your employer coverage compare to options with Medicare?
No, you do not have to wait until your birthday month to sign up for Medicare. It is best to start gathering all the information at least 3 months prior, so you have all the coverage you need. Do you have all the doctors' information? Your prescriptions and health records? If you will need any procedures that you have been holding off until retirement, that also needs to be considered.
You can wait. I recommend meeting with your Employer Benefits representative and reviewing cost and coverage to determine whether its in your best interest to keep your employer health coverage or enroll in Medicare.
