When a person turns 65 do they have to take Medicare?

No, Medicare isn't mandatory at 65, but you might face late enrollment penalties if you delay signing up without other qualifying coverage, like a large employer's health plan. If you're already getting Social Security, you're automatically enrolled in Parts A & B, but you can choose to delay Part B if you have good employer coverage to avoid premiums and penalties.

Is Medicare mandatory at 65?

No, Medicare is not mandatory at 65, but you might face financial penalties or coverage gaps if you don't enroll or delay Part B without creditable employer coverage. If you're still working and have health insurance from an employer with 20+ employees, you can often delay Part B without penalty, but it's usually wise to sign up for premium-free Part A and Part D (if needed) to avoid future late enrollment fees. 

Are you forced to be on Medicare?

Strictly speaking, Medicare is not mandatory. But very few people will have no Medicare coverage at all – ever.

Is there a penalty for not enrolling in Medicare Part D at age 65?

Yes, there's a financial penalty for not signing up for Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage) when first eligible at 65, if you don't have other creditable prescription coverage (like good employer insurance); the penalty adds 1% of the national average premium for each month you delay, permanently increasing your monthly premium for life. You avoid this penalty by enrolling during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) or a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) if you have creditable coverage, or by getting Extra Help. 

Is it mandatory to have Medicare deducted from Social Security?

Yes, if you're receiving Social Security (SS) benefits and are enrolled in Medicare Part B, your premium is automatically deducted from your monthly SS check; it's mandatory for payment convenience and continuous coverage, but you can pay differently if not on SS, and Part A is usually premium-free. You can opt for other payment methods like bank debit or mailing checks, and you can delay Part B if covered by an employer plan, but that might incur penalties later. 

Medicare: Why you need to sign up when you're 65, even if you're still working

At what age do you stop paying Medicare premiums?

Your CalPERS health coverage will automatically be canceled the first day of the month after you turn 65. See Cancellation of CalPERS Health Coverage for information on reinstating your health coverage.

What happens if you don't enroll in Medicare when you're 65?

If you don't sign up for Medicare at 65 and don't have other creditable coverage (like employer insurance), you risk paying late enrollment penalties, delaying your coverage, and potentially facing gaps in healthcare, especially for Part B (medical) and Part D (drugs). Penalties increase your premiums (10% for Part B per year delayed) and last as long as you have the coverage, while late Part D enrollment leads to a 1% penalty of the national average premium per month without coverage. 

Does everyone have to pay $170 a month for Medicare?

If you don't get premium-free Part A, you pay up to $565 each month. If you don't buy Part A when you're first eligible for Medicare (usually when you turn 65), you might pay a penalty. Most people pay the standard Part B monthly premium amount ($202.90 in 2026).

What are the biggest mistakes people make with Medicare?

The biggest Medicare mistakes involve missing enrollment deadlines, failing to review plans annually, underestimating total costs (premiums, deductibles, copays), not enrolling in a Part D drug plan with Original Medicare, and assuming one-size-fits-all coverage or that Medicare covers everything like long-term care. People often delay enrollment, get locked into old plans without checking for better options, or overlook financial assistance programs, leading to higher out-of-pocket expenses and penalties. 

How do I decline Medicare at age 65?

To opt out of Medicare at 65, contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) in writing to decline automatic enrollment in Part B (if you have other creditable coverage, like from an employer), or to terminate existing coverage by sending back your card and completing a request form like CMS-1763 for premium Part A, understanding that keeping other coverage (like from a large employer) lets you delay without penalty, but opting out without creditable insurance can lead to late enrollment penalties later. 

Why would someone opt out of Medicare?

The ONLY reason to opt out of Medicare is if you want to 1) see a Medicare patient, 2) under private contract, 3) for covered services. All three of these must be true, or it is not worth your trouble to opt out.

Is it better to go on Medicare or stay on private insurance?

Neither Medicare nor private insurance is universally "better"; the best choice depends on individual needs, but Medicare often offers lower overall costs and simplicity for seniors, while private insurance excels in covering dependents and potentially offering more choice with networks/out-of-pocket caps, though at higher premiums. Medicare boasts lower admin costs and standardized coverage, but Original Medicare lacks an out-of-pocket maximum, a feature typically found in private plans and Medicare Advantage (Part C). 

How much will Medicare cost me when I turn 65?

When you turn 65, Medicare costs depend on the parts you choose, but most people pay $0 for Part A (Hospital) if they worked 10+ years, and a standard $202.90/month for Part B (Medical) in 2026, plus 20% coinsurance for services after the deductible. Part C (Medicare Advantage) and Part D (Drugs) have separate premiums, averaging around $14/month and $34.50/month respectively in 2026, but vary by plan and income. 

Can I collect Social Security and not have Medicare?

Yes, you can get Social Security without Medicare, especially if you're under 65 or have other creditable coverage like an employer plan, but if you're over 65 and already receiving Social Security retirement benefits, you'll usually be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A (hospital) and can delay Part B (medical) if you have other insurance. You can also apply for Social Security benefits (like retirement) before 65 and not get Medicare until later, but if you're on disability (SSDI), Medicare usually kicks in after 24 months. 

What is the new Medicare rule for 2025 over 65?

Starting in 2025, there is an annual limit on what you pay out-of-pocket for prescription medications through Medicare and Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans. All prescription medications, including specialty medications, covered by Part D plans are included under this cap.

What Medicare is free for seniors?

Part A is free if you worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. You may also be eligible because of your current or former spouse's work.

Why is my Medicare $500 a month?

Medicare Premiums Over $500

However, if you have a higher-than-average income, your Part B premiums start going up on a sliding scale. How much extra you pay is based on the income you reported to the IRS two years ago.

What are the 5 things Medicare doesn't cover?

Medicare generally doesn't cover long-term care, most dental care, routine vision services (like glasses), hearing aids/fittings, and cosmetic surgery, though it does provide strong coverage for hospital and doctor services; you can often get coverage for these gaps through Medicare Advantage (Part C) or supplemental plans. 

Do you need to contact Social Security when you turn 65?

No, you don't have to sign up for Social Security at 65; you can start as early as 62 or delay until age 70 for a higher monthly payment, but 65 is when you typically become eligible for Medicare, which is a separate but related process, and you should sign up around then to avoid penalties. Your Full Retirement Age (FRA), when you get 100% of your benefit, is likely 67 for most people today, but you can choose to start benefits earlier (reduced amount) or later (increased amount). 

How can I lower my Medicare premiums?

To lower Medicare premiums, report income drops from life events like retirement (Form SSA-44), apply for low-income help like Extra Help or Medicaid, use HSA funds for premiums, deduct premiums from taxes, switch to a cheaper Medicare Advantage or Supplement plan, or check if you qualify for Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) through your state. 

What to do 6 months before turning 65?

Six months before turning 65, focus on planning for Medicare and Social Security: research Medicare (Parts A, B, Advantage, Supplement, Part D), understand your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), review your Social Security statement, and budget for retirement, deciding on when to start benefits and how Medicare integrates with existing work coverage. 

How much do you have to make to get $3,000 a month in Social Security?

To get around $3,000/month in Social Security, you generally need a high earning history, around $100,000-$108,000+ annually over your top 35 years, but waiting to claim until age 70 maximizes this amount, potentially reaching it with lower yearly earnings, say under $70k if you wait long enough, as benefits are based on your highest indexed earnings over 35 years. The exact amount depends heavily on your specific earnings history and the age you start collecting benefits. 

What happens if you don't want Medicare when you turn 65?

If you don't sign up for Medicare at 65 and don't have other creditable coverage (like employer insurance), you risk paying late enrollment penalties, delaying your coverage, and potentially facing gaps in healthcare, especially for Part B (medical) and Part D (drugs). Penalties increase your premiums (10% for Part B per year delayed) and last as long as you have the coverage, while late Part D enrollment leads to a 1% penalty of the national average premium per month without coverage. 

Can I have both Social Security and Medicare?

Medicare is our country's health insurance program for people age 65 or older. You'll sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B through Social Security, so you can make both retirement and Medicare choices and withhold any premiums from your benefit payments.