Officially, the Medicare age is 65. Yet, many soon to be 65-year-olds are frustrated by the question of whether it is mandatory to sign up for Medicare at age 65 or not. Why? Because it’s complicated! Your retirement status, the size of your company if you’re turning 65 and still working, and more can all impact whether you have to have Medicare when you turn 65.
We recommend meeting with a knowledgeable Medicare advisor to better understand your options. The last thing you want is to incur a life-long penalty because you didn’t sign-up for Medicare during your initial enrollment period.
If you qualify for premium-free Part A then the month you’re turning 65 benefits will begin.
Your Medicare Part B and premium-Part A coverage start date is impacted by when you sign-up for Medicare.
You are actually eligible to enroll up to 3 months before you turn 65. If you apply for Medicare at any point during the 3 months leading up to your 65th birthday, then your coverage will start the month you turn 65.
If you wait until the month that you’re turning age 65 then your coverage will start the next month. If you sign up 1 month after you turn 65 then your coverage begins 2 months later. And if you sign up 2 or 3 months after you turn 65 then coverage starts 3 months after you sign up.
Concerned about what happens when someone with Social Security disability benefits reaches age 65? Well, it all depends!
If you are currently receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), then when you reach full retirement age your benefits will switch over to Social Security retirement benefits.
The key thing to remember is that the full retirement age is not 65 anymore. These days, most people qualify for full retirement at age 66 or 67.
No matter when you age into retirement, you don’t need to worry. Your benefits will automatically switch over and the amount of your benefits check is not likely to change.
