CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES

Getting Medicare before you get your Full

Social Security Retirement Benefits

In the past, people generally got both Social Security retirement benefits and

Medicare coverage starting at age 65. The eligibility age to get Medicare has not

changed. However, the age to get full Social Security retirement benefits (called

your “Full Retirement Age”) has changed for some people. It now depends on the

year you were born, and some people don’t get full retirement benefits until age 67.

To find out when you will reach your full retirement age and how that affects your

Social Security retirement benefits, visit www.socialsecurity.gov on the web. You

can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. TTY users should call 

1-800-325-0778.

Will I be contacted about enrolling in Medicare Part A,

Part B, and Part D? 

If you are already getting Social Security retirement benefits before you turn age 65

you will automatically get Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part

B (Medical Insurance). You will receive a Medicare Initial Enrollment Period

package 3 months before your 65th birthday.

If you aren’t eligible for full Social Security retirement benefits at age 65, and you

aren’t getting Social Security benefits, you can still get your full Medicare benefits

(including premium-free Part A) at age 65, but you must contact Social Security to

sign up. You won’t get Medicare information sent to you automatically. If you are

close to age 65 and aren’t getting Social Security benefits yet, you can sign up for

the following:

• Premium-free Part A as early as 3 months before the month you turn age 65.

Coverage will begin at age 65, unless you wait until more than 6 months after

you turn age 65 to apply.

• Part B as early as 3 months before the month you turn age 65. See below.

• Part D (Medicare prescription drug coverage) 3 months before you turn age 65 to 3

months after you turn age 65. 

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What do I need to know about the enrollment 

period for Part A?

If you sign up for Part A after you turn age 65, your Part A start date can be

made retroactive for up to 6 months.

What do I need to know about the enrollment 

period for Part B?

Your Initial Enrollment Period begins 3 months before the month you turn 

age 65. It lasts until 3 months after the month you turn age 65 (a total of 7

months). If you want Part B coverage to begin the month you turn age 65, you

must sign up for it during the first 3 months of your Initial Enrollment Period. 

If you wait until you are age 65, or sign up during the last 3 months of your

Initial Enrollment Period, your Part B start date will be delayed. If you enroll the

month you turn age 65, your Part B coverage will start the following month. If

you enroll the month after you turn age 65, your coverage will start 2 months

after you enroll. If you enroll 2 or 3 months after you turn age 65, you won’t get

Part B until 3 months after the month you enroll.

Unless you or your spouse are still working, if you don’t sign up for Part B

during your Initial Enrollment Period, you may only be able to sign up during

the General Enrollment Period. The General Enrollment Period runs from

January 1—March 31 each year. Your Part B coverage will begin on July 1 of the

year you sign up. You may also have to pay a penalty for your Part B premium if

you don’t sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period. There are options in

how you can get your Part B coverage. Be sure to visit our Medicare Options

Compare tool on www.medicare.gov to see what’s available in your area.

What do I need to know about the enrollment 

period for Part D?

You may have to pay a penalty on your monthly premium if you don’t enroll in

Part D during this 7-month period.

Where do I go to apply for Medicare benefits? 

If you aren’t getting Social Security benefits, and you won’t be getting them at

age 65, you must contact Social Security to apply for Medicare benefits. See

below. If you are already getting Social Security benefits, and you are entitled

to premium-free Part A, you won’t have to do anything. Social Security will

enroll you in both Part A and Part B automatically. You will have to tell them

if you don’t want to keep Part B, which requires a premium.

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If I want Medicare at age 65, when should I contact

Social Security?

If you want your Medicare coverage to begin when you turn age 65, you should

contact Social Security during the 3 months before your 65th birthday. If you wait

until your 65th birthday or later, your Part B coverage will be delayed. 

I am age 65, still working, and covered by a group

health plan. When should I enroll in Medicare? 

If you are covered by a group health plan based on your own or your spouse’s

current employment, you may be able to delay signing up for Part B during your

Initial Enrollment Period and enroll later during a Special Enrollment Period. This

means you may sign up for Part B any time while you are covered by a group

health plan based on your own or your spouse’s current employment or during the

8-month period following the last month of employment or coverage by the health

plan, whichever occurs first. People who sign up for Part B during the Special

Enrollment Period usually don’t pay a penalty. You may want to enroll in premiumfree Part A when you turn age 65, but wait to sign up for Part B (since you will

have to start paying premiums). To find out the best time for you to enroll in 

Part B, call Social Security or your benefits administrator.

How does the full retirement age affect how I pay my

Medicare Part B premium?

If you are getting Social Security benefits, the Part B premium is taken out of your

monthly Social Security payment. If you don’t get full Social Security benefits yet,

Medicare will send you a bill for your Part B premium every 3 months. If you don’t

get your bill by the 10th of the month, call Social Security. 

How do I get more information?

• Visit www.socialsecurity.gov on the web. 

• Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778.

• Visit www.medicare.gov on the web. 

• Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 

1-877-486-2048. 

CMS Publication No. 11038

Revised March 2008