What do I need to do if I didn't take Medicare at 65 and am now retiring?

Question

Charles Wheeler · Accepted Answer

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.

Answered by Charles Wheeler on February 11, 2025

Broker Licensed in MA, CT, FL & 7 other states

Answered by Charles Wheeler Medicare Insurance Agent

Larry Dalton · Answer

The agent will need to check to see what penalties will apply to your enrollment. Some of these penalties can only be determined by Medicare. But Medicare is governed by timelines, and it is very important to have an agent you trust to work out the details of your circumstances. There are 10% penalties for Medicare Part A and B in most circumstances. There is a 1% penalty for Medicare Part D on late enrollment. These penalties accumulate per month that you go without coverage, and they become part of your coverage expenses in the future under Medicare.

Answered by Larry Dalton on March 26, 2025

Broker Licensed in OK & TX

Answered by Larry Dalton Medicare Insurance Agent

Norman Smith · Answer

Well, firstly, Congratulations!!! I'm sure it was with years of hard work! And now we need to get the health portion of your years in the right direction! 
You are now in what is known as a SEP (Special Enrollment Period). You want to go to Social Security and file to receive your benefits now, and submit that you are ready for your Medicare! 

Next, you need to decide on how your Health Insurance will be taken care of in the retirement years. You may have many choices! Are you covered through a School, government, or military plan? Did you work for the Railroad? But if a member of the private sector who doesn't have those choices, you will choose from the 3 elements of Original Medicare only, with a supplement plan, or exchange your Medicare to accept a Medicare Advantage Plan. 
But you want to take your Part A, even if you have permanent coverage through your employer. That could have been done when you turned 65. If you deferred your Part B when you turned 65, you need to let them know you are accepting that now.  Also, you will need to choose a Part D provider, unless you are accepting a Medicare Advantage plan that includes a Prescription plan. Don't miss this, as you can end up with permanently attached penalties moving forward. 

I would always recommend speaking with a Medicare professional face-to-face, and get the assistance to make this time easier and with more confidence.

Gary Church · Answer

If I didn't take Medicare at 65 and am now retiring ? Will if you don't start your Medicare once you are eligible, first, you are responsible for self-insurance for all medical cost. Once you start Medicare, you'll be subject to a penalty for life on your Medicare premiums

Answered by Gary Church on July 18, 2025

Broker Licensed in Ca, AZ, NV & TX

Answered by Gary Church Medicare Insurance Agent

William Lawler · Answer

If you did not take Medicare when you turned 65, you must enroll within 60 days of retiring. Usually, when you retire, your group health coverage ends also. So, you must enroll in both Medicare Parts A and B.  Doing this will allow you to enroll in a Medigap or Advantage health plan.
Bill Lawler           636-500-1892

Melonie Wood · Answer

Depends on why you did not take Medicare. If a person has employer insurance, which is considered "credible coverage" then when a member leaves the employer plan, they need to contact social security & sign up up for Medicare. This must be completed within 63 days of ending the employer plan

Answered by Melonie Wood on March 25, 2025

Agent Licensed in FL & AL

Answered by Melonie Wood Medicare Insurance Agent

Andrew Zurbuch, MBA · Answer

Please contact Social Security at 18007721213 & speak with a representative or go to a local Social Security office. If you have Group Health plan coverage you will need the employer to complete a form. It is the Medicare Part B form for your employer sponsored Health Insurance. Please have your human resources at your employer complete part of it & then return it. If your Group Health plan mail you a Certificate Of Credible coverage, keep it. It is your proof of Credible Coverage. Thank you.

Answered by Andrew Zurbuch, MBA on June 27, 2025

Broker Licensed in IN, FL, KY, MO, OH & TN

Answered by Andrew Zurbuch, MBA Medicare Insurance Agent

Steven Whetstine · Answer

You will sign up for Part A (Hospital) and Part B (Medical).  If you worked long enough, you will not have to pay for Part A.  For Part B (Medical), you will have to pay the premium each month.

To start, you will need a letter of creditable coverage through your employer which you can get through your Human Resources or Benefits Administrator.  You would need this to complete the CMS-L564 form through social security to reflect proof of employment and that you had employer coverage.  Most people sign up through the social security website at ssa.gov which is the gatekeeper for Medicare whether you are taking social security or not.  You can also call or visit the local social security office.

Once you get your Part A (Hospital) and Part B (Medical) set up, you will be granted a special election period to identify the options that make sense for you.

William Gray · Answer

if you did not take medicare at 65 you will be penalized at 1% per month for each month that you did not have coverage under the Medicare program. 

If you had qaulifying coverage you will need to submit  Form CMS L564/R297 (09/23)  to get the penalty removed before you apply for Part A, B, and D. 

William

Edward Smith, ChFC, CRPS, AIF · Answer

You will have 60 days from the time you come off your group coverage to enroll in a supplement or Medicare Advantage plan. The Social Security Administration will tell you that you have 8 months to enroll in part B from your last day of coverage. While this is true for part B, it is not true for a supplement or a Medicare Advantage. If you miss this deadline, you may have to wait until the next Open Enrollment to enroll in a plan.

Answered by Edward Smith, ChFC, CRPS, AIF on June 22, 2025

Broker Licensed in OH, GA, IN, KY & SC

Answered by Edward Smith, ChFC, CRPS, AIF Medicare Insurance Agent

Ray McCauley · Answer

go to medicare.gov and request your part b coverage then call me at 916 628 5244 there at important steps to follow and i will walk you through them

Joshua Cooper · Answer

You simply need to go apply for Medicare Part B on ssa.gov

Then you should schedule a custom appointment to get an individualized plan with myself or one of our Medicare Coaches.

Rose Cahill · Answer

Many people work past 65 these days. It's not a problem - as long as you have had health coverage through your employer. Now that you want to retire, you need to get a Medicare number and effective dates for Medicare Parts A&B. If you already have a Medicare card and an effective Part A date, you need only apply for Part B. You can do this by going on-line at medicare.gov or by working through your local Social Security office.

Once you have an effective A&B date, you are then ready to consider whether you want to enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan or a Medicare Supplement Plan to help defray the expenses that Medicare does not cover.

David Brown · Answer

If you already have Part A active:

How to Apply for Medicare - Special Enrollment

Period (SEP) - Part B Only

Who is this for?:
➢ Enrolling in Part B after the initial enrollment period/after 65 (already enrolled in Part A)

When?
➢ When you’re ending an employer group health plan - If you’ve been covered by an active employer group
health plan (either yours or your spouse's) since turning 65, and it ended within the last 8 months, you can enroll
in Part B without any penalty. This is considered a “Special Enrollment Period.”
➢ It’s Recommended to enroll in Part B up to 3 months prior to when you want coverage to begin (always the 1st
day of the month). For example, if you want Part B coverage to begin August 1st, then you will want to start the
process as early as May.

Enrollment options:
Option 1: Online at https://secure.ssa.gov/mpboa/medicare-part-b-online-application/ - You can also go to
https://www.ssa.gov/ and click on “Sign up for Medicare” and then Sign Up for Part B Only
Option 2: Enroll in-person at the local Social Security Office
Option 3: Fax or Mail - Find locations and fax info here: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp

Information you will need to provide:
➢ Application for enrollment in Medicare Part B (form CMS-40B)
○ This form is only used if enrolling by fax, mail, or at the local Social Security Office
➢ Request for Employment Information (form CMS-L565)
○ This form is needed for all enrollment options
○ This form is to be filled out by the employer where you have group health coverage

What happens next?:
You will receive a new Medicare card in the mail. You will also be able to print a benefit verification letter from your
online account within Social Security. This can take approximately 1-3 months.

If you do not have Part A active yet - Enroll for both Part A & B through your online social security account.  You will still need to provide the "Request for Employment Information" form (CMS-L565).

Steven Bleicher · Answer

Since it is extremely common that our Medicare-eligible people don’t want to retire, there’s a customary answer to this question. At age 65, most folks have an employer healthcare plan which has been an acceptable option as a full-time employee for years. So, all you need to do is simply pick up the totally free of premium Part A (this is used for your INpatient Hospital coverage). This will eliminate the employer paying for your hospital coverage! But, your employer plan DOES PAY for: OUTpatient doctor visits, your Rx’s, labs, etc., which is akin to Medicare’s Part B. You would not need that until you have separated/retired from your employer’s plan especially since THAT part of Medicare DOES HAVE a monthly premium! It is based on your two-year old tax return under the line “Adjusted Gross Income” or AGI.

Answered by Steven Bleicher on June 14, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ

Answered by Steven Bleicher Medicare Insurance Agent

Diana Garner · Answer

You will need to enroll in Medicare during a Special Enrollment Period or the General Enrollment Period. 

You'll likely have an 8-month SEP starting when your employer coverage ends or you lose access to your employer's health plan (or your spouse's). 

If you miss this SEP, you can enroll during the GEP (January 1 - March 31), but you may face late enrollment penalties.

Gregg Matheny · Answer

Hopefully you chose not to get Medicare because you had an employer plan. If that is the case, reach out to SSA (I like SSA.GOV) and apply for Medicare part B. SSA will reach out to you with a few forms that they want your employer to fill out as well as some info about your past plan. If that’s not the case and you are just now getting onto Medicare and you haven’t had other credible coverage then there will be penalties added onto your Medicare part B premium as well as a penalty added on to your part D premium (LEP). Depending upon how much time has passed will determine how big or small your penalty is.

Answered by Gregg Matheny on March 26, 2025

Agent Licensed in AZ & UT

Answered by Gregg Matheny Medicare Insurance Agent

Joseph Peck · Answer

Get with an agent to make sure what you are eligible for, making sure there are no penalties and fees. Plus making sure the client isnt already covered with a work plan.

Valentina Gatewood · Answer

You can now apply for Medicare, and would recommend to show proof of creditable coverage to avoid penalties.

Maurice Ellis · Answer

You should meet with a licensed agent ASAP.  If you wait to long penalties could into play. And your insurance with your job could play a vital part in your coverage.

Christopher Orr · Answer

Apply for your Part B thru Social Security, they may give you a form to take to employer to comply and show how creditable your group health drug coverage was post 65 . That form will go back to social security with part B application.

Answered by Christopher Orr on May 21, 2025

Broker Licensed in TN, KY, NC & VA

Answered by Christopher Orr Medicare Insurance Agent

Brandon Grzywa · Answer

Proper planning and preparation are key to ensuring a smooth transition to Medicare. Assuming your work coverage was creditable, you should not incur any late enrollment penalties. It is wise to enroll in Medicare through the Social Security office three months before your retirement date. 
Also, understanding your coverage options and which options best fit your needs is essential. Consult an independent broker for assistance in determining the best fit for your circumstances. The consultation should be free of charge to you.

Gary Henderson · Answer

There are a number of steps required. If you want to give me a call we can go over all the details as it's too lengthy to put here 
My phone 737-530-4626 pick option two. That's my direct line. If I'm busy just leave me a message. Gary Henderson with Medicare genius

Vachik Chakhbazian · Answer

you can still enroll, but you may face late enrollment penalties. You can enroll during the General Enrollment Period, which runs from January 1 to March 31 each year. You may also qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) if you had other coverage when you turned 65 and are now retiring.

Answered by Vachik Chakhbazian on June 14, 2025

Agent Licensed in CA, AL, AR & 22 other states

Answered by Vachik Chakhbazian Medicare Insurance Agent

Marcie Barnes · Answer

First of all congratulations on the next phase of your life.

Start your application for Medicare now.  There will be no penalties as long as you have maintained credible coverage through your job.

Go to ssa.gov to create an account and apply for social security and Medicare.

Once you have your Medicare number which takes about 3 weeks.  Contact a licensed professional like myself to find coverage that's right for you

Mike Henry · Answer

File for Medicare part B, You have 60 days to apply for a Medicare Advantage or supplement plan.

Mel Stevens · Answer

First of all, congratulation on retirement, you deserve it! The first 2 important item are Medicare Part A and Part B. In general, as long as you worked for 10 years or 40 quarters, Part A which is hospital coverage should have already been issued, even if you were still working. You must apply for part B. You can contact Medicare by calling or stopping by the local Medicare or Social Security office. If you are a little tech savvy, I believe the option with the least hassle or most efficient would be to visit on-line and complete a Part B application at: https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up/part-b-only. For most Medicare recipients, in 2025, Part B will cost $184.70 a month with a higher sliding scale depending on income. Once you receive you part B effective date you will have 60 days to sign up for a prescription drug plan. Do not delay on signing up for prescription drug plan. Be aware if you pass the 60-day window, Medicare can penalize you for the rest of your life! Along with Part A and B you should also explore the option of Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage plan to give you additional coverage where Part A and B do not.

Answered by Mel Stevens on April 2, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ

Answered by Mel Stevens Medicare Insurance Agent

Rick Balistreri · Answer

As long as you were covered by your employer's insurance plan with 20 or more employees, you are now able to transition into Medicare without any issues. You will need to apply for Part A and Part B to begin the Medicare journey. Once you have your number and starting date established, you are eligible to sign up for a Supplement or Advantage plan of your choice. We always encourage folks to watch our educational webinar that explains how Medicare works and what options they have with Medicare. It is important to educate yourself so that you can make the right decisions about your coverage.

Answered by Rick Balistreri on May 13, 2025

Agent Licensed in MO, AZ, FL & 7 other states

Answered by Rick Balistreri Medicare Insurance Agent

Linda Bolan · Answer

Your first step is to apply for Medicare Part A (Hospitalization) and Part B is Medical.  There will be a premium for Part B that changes every January.  Typically Part A is at no cost.

Edward Pevnick · Answer

You need to contact Social Security to sign up for Medicare parts A and B:

1-800-772-1213

        or

www.ssa.gov

Diana Pedersen · Answer

Apply for Medicare Part B by creating a 'special enrollment period'.
Fill out Medicare Forms CMS L564 and CMS 40B

Typically, what I tell my clients is that this needs to be done at least 2 months before your retirement or when your creditable coverage (health insurance) from your employer ends. You have a 63 day window after your medical coverage ends after age 65, to not be subject to a Part B penalty.

Sandy Hammond · Answer

Enroll in Medicare Parts A & B if you have not done so already.  Also, you must include the L564 form, your employer will fill this out, that indicates that you have had creditable employer coverage up to this point.  You will want the Part B effective date to be the 1st of the month for which you will no longer have employer coverage.  If you have not already enrolled in Part A, it will be back-dated for 6 months. 
Please apply online through your SSA.gov account (Social Security Account). If you are also expecting to apply for your Social Security Retirement Income, please do not apply at the same time as Medicare.  For some reason, this causes major delays in getting your Medicare card.  Apply for your Medicare A & B first, get your Medicare card, and then apply for Social Security, if that is possible for you.  
Once you have received your Medicare card, you can then speak with an agent about "additional" insurance coverage options.  I hope this answer is helpful.

Donald Baker · Answer

Start the process of applying for Medicare, ideally on line as soon as possible and request an effective date for part B. Obtain a letter of having had credible insurance from your employer to avoid penalties.

Answered by Donald Baker on June 30, 2025

Agent Licensed in MN

Answered by Donald Baker Medicare Insurance Agent

Guillermo Gonzalez · Answer

If you have the intention of retiring, you can file to start the Medicare enrollment process.  In the paperwork you are going to put down the month you would like to activate it.

Kilolo Thomas · Answer

You need to now enroll in Medicare.  Next steps depend on if you have retiree benefits or not.  Recommend you work with a licensed agent.

Cynthia Allen · Answer

If you have had creditable medical coverage, i.e. a medical plan from your employer, then you would need a letter from your employer stating that you have had coverage along with the starting date of coverage and when it will end. You will need that to sign up for Medicare Part A and B within 8 months of you leaving your employment to avoid any penalties. You would need to contact Social Security if you plan on taking those benefits, and then you could have the Part B premium taking out of Social Security as an option. It all depends upon when you want to take social security. You can go to medicare.gov to find out information or contact an agent to help explain things further to you which is best since every situation can be different.

Answered by Cynthia Allen on June 16, 2025

Agent Licensed in CA, GA, ID & 6 other states

Answered by Cynthia Allen Medicare Insurance Agent

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