Applying for Medicare Only 
If you are within three months of age 65 or older and not ready to start your monthly Social Security benefits yet , you can use our online retirement application to sign up just for Medicare and wait to apply for your retirement or spouses benefits later. Before you decide , you need to be sure that you understand how waiting until later will affect : the lifetime benefits we can pay on your account and your health insurance coverage. 

Lifetime Benefits We Can Pay On Your Record 
You can start your retirement benefit at any point from age 62 up until age 70. Your benefit amountwill be higher the longer you delay starting it. This adjustment is usually permanent. If you: Apply for benefits before full retirement age , your benefitswill be reduced because you are taking them earlier. (Full retirement age is 66 for people born between 1943 and 1954. Beginning with 1955, two months are added for every birth year until the full retirement age reaches 67 for people born in 1960 or later.) If your full retirement age is 66 and you decideto start your retirement benefits at age 65 , your benefit will be 93.33 percent of yourfull benefit amount. Delay receiving retirement benefits until after you reach full retirementage any month up to age 70 , you can increase your benefit by accumulating Delayed Retirement Credits. If your full retirement age is 66 and 2 months and you wait until age 70 , your benefitwill be 130.67 percent of your full retirement age benefit. Have family members who qualify for benefits, a delay meansyou would lose some of the benefits they might have received. However , delaying benefitsalso increases the maximum monthly survivors benefit your spouse may receive. 

If You Plan To Continue Working 
Even if you plan to continue working , you may still be able to receive some benefits. If you areunder full retirement age and you earn over a certain amount , we will deduct the excess earnings from your benefits. If you delay r

user: I want info about what happens to my benefits if I want to keep working

assistant: Even if you plan to continue working you may still be able to receive benefits .

assistant: Are you in full retirement?

user: not yet

user: you don't have to check, can I ask when I can start my benefits?

assistant: You can start your retirement benefit at any point from age 62 up until age 70 .Your benefit amount will be higher the longer you delay starting it. This adjustment is usually permanent. .

user: so I get less if I apply early before full retirement and when is full retirement?

assistant: Yes, your benefits are reduced because you are taking them earlier before full retirement age.  Full retirement age is 66 for people born between 1943 and 1954.Beginning with 1955, two months are added for every birth year until the full retirement age reaches 67 for people born in 1960 or later.

user: And is Medicare like medicaid?

assistant: Medicare is our country 's health insurance program for people age 65 or older .The program helps with the cost of health care , but it does not cover all medical expenses or the cost of most long - term care .

user: okay and do I have to start my benefits before 66 or 67 years old when I hit my full retirement age?

assistant:  You can start your retirement benefit at any point from age 62 up until age 70 .