Getting Medicare Without Signing Up for Social Security

Yes, you can get Medicare without taking Social Security benefits

You do not have to claim Social Security retirement benefits to sign up for Medicare. The two programs are separate, and Medicare may be able to access is based on age (65 and older), disability, or end-stage renal disease — not on whether you have started receiving Social Security payments. Many people delay Social Security to get a higher monthly benefit later while still enrolling in Medicare at 65.

However, there is one important connection: if you do not sign up for Medicare Part B (medical insurance) when you first become may be able to access at 65, you may face a permanent penalty on your premiums. This penalty applies whether or not you have claimed Social Security, so the timing of your Medicare enrollment matters even if you plan to wait on Social Security.

Key Takeaways

Medicare may be able to access at 65 is independent of Social Security — you can enroll in one without the other.
If you delay Social Security past 65 to increase your benefit, you should still enroll in Medicare Part B at 65 to avoid a lifetime premium penalty.
You must actively enroll in Medicare Part B during your initial enrollment period (the three months before, the month of, and three months after your 65th birthday).
If you miss the important date and do not have other may have access to coverage, you will pay an extra 10 percent on your Part B premium for each year you were may be able to access but did not enroll.
Part A (hospital insurance) is usually automatic for people receiving Social Security, but you should verify your enrollment even if you have not claimed benefits yet.

How to enroll in Medicare without claiming Social Security

You must enroll in Medicare yourself during your initial enrollment period. This period runs for seven months: three months before the month you turn 65, the month you turn 65, and three months after. If your birthday is March 15, for example, your enrollment period starts December 1 and ends June 30.

To enroll, visit Medicare.gov, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), or visit your local Social Security office in person. You will need your birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and your current contact information. You do not need to be receiving Social Security to complete this process.

Part A (hospital insurance) may be enrolled automatically if you are already receiving Social Security benefits, but if you have delayed claiming, you should confirm your enrollment status. Part B (medical insurance) requires active enrollment — it does not happen automatically, and missing the important date carries real cost.

What happens if you miss the Medicare enrollment important date

If you do not enroll in Part B during your initial enrollment period and you do not have other may have access to health coverage (such as employer coverage or TRICARE), you will owe a late enrollment penalty. This penalty is 10 percent of the standard Part B premium for each full year you were may be able to access but did not enroll.

For example, if you turn 65 in 2024 but do not enroll until 2026, you owe two years of penalty — 20 percent added to your Part B premium for the rest of your life. The penalty is calculated based on the standard premium at the time you actually enroll, not the premium when you turned 65. This makes delaying enrollment expensive over time.

There are limited exceptions. If you have creditable coverage through an employer or union (yours or a spouse's), you may have a special enrollment period that lets you sign up for Part B without penalty. You must provide proof of that coverage when you enroll.

Delaying Social Security while enrolling in Medicare

Many people choose to delay Social Security past 65 to receive a larger monthly benefit. For each year you wait between 65 and 70, your benefit increases by about 8 percent per year. This strategy works well if you expect to live into your mid-80s or later, because the higher monthly payment eventually makes up for the years you did not collect.

If you are following this strategy, you still need to enroll in Medicare at 65. Your Part B premium will be based on your income from two years prior (this is called "income-related monthly adjustment amounts," or IRMAA). If you have not yet claimed Social Security, your income for IRMAA purposes is calculated from your tax return, wages, and other sources — not from Social Security payments you have not yet received.

Enrolling in Medicare early and delaying Social Security is a common and straightforward approach. You straightforward handle the two programs on different timelines.

Part A, Part B, and Part D timing when you are not on Social Security

Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) have different enrollment rules. Part A is often automatic for people who have paid into Medicare through payroll taxes, even if they have not claimed Social Security. You should verify this by checking your Medicare.gov account or calling 1-800-MEDICARE.

Part B requires active enrollment during your initial enrollment period. If you miss it and have no may have access to coverage, the 10 percent annual penalty applies for life.

Part D (prescription drug coverage) also has an enrollment important date tied to your 65th birthday. If you do not enroll in Part D or another creditable drug plan during your initial enrollment period, you pay a penalty if you later sign up. The penalty is 1 percent of the national average Part D premium for each month you were may be able to access but did not enroll. Unlike Part B, this penalty does not explore for life — it only applies while you are enrolled in Part D — but it still adds up.

Income and premiums when you delay Social Security

Your Medicare Part B and Part D premiums are based on your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) from two years before. If you are not yet receiving Social Security, your MAGI comes from your tax return: wages, self-employment income, investment income, and other sources.

If your income is high, you will pay an income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA) on top of your standard Part B and Part D premiums. This means higher earners pay more for Medicare, whether or not they are receiving Social Security. The income thresholds and surcharges change each year.

Once you do claim Social Security, your MAGI for Medicare purposes will include your Social Security benefit. This can push you into a higher income bracket and increase your IRMAA. Some people factor this into their decision about when to claim Social Security.

What to ask your doctor or Social Security office

Before your 65th birthday, ask your doctor or healthcare provider whether you should enroll in Part B at 65 or wait. If you have employer coverage through work or a spouse's job, ask your benefits administrator whether that coverage is considered "creditable" for Medicare purposes. This affects whether you can delay Part B without penalty.

Contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-MEDICARE to confirm whether Part A is already set up for you. Ask what documents you will need to bring to enroll in Part B. If you are self-employed or have investment income, ask a tax professional how your income will be counted for Medicare premium purposes.

If you are considering delaying Social Security past 65, ask a financial advisor or your Social Security office to run the numbers for your situation. The break-even point depends on your health, family history, and life expectancy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be on Social Security to get Medicare?

No. Medicare may be able to access at 65 is based on age, not on Social Security status. You can enroll in Medicare without claiming Social Security benefits. However, you must actively enroll in Part B during your initial enrollment period, or you will face a permanent premium penalty.

What if I am still working at 65 and have health insurance through my job?

You may be able to delay Part B enrollment without penalty if your employer coverage is considered "creditable." Ask your benefits administrator for a creditable coverage notice. You will need to provide this to Medicare when you eventually enroll. Part A enrollment is usually still recommended, even if you have employer coverage.

Can I enroll in Medicare online if I have not claimed Social Security yet?

Yes. Visit Medicare.gov and create an account, or call 1-800-MEDICARE. You will need your birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and contact information. You do not need a Social Security payment to complete enrollment.

What is the penalty if I miss the Part B important date?

You pay 10 percent of the standard Part B premium for each full year you were may be able to access but did not enroll. This penalty is added to your premium for life. For example, a two-year delay means a permanent 20 percent surcharge.

Will my Medicare premiums go up when I finally claim Social Security?

Possibly. Your Part B and Part D premiums are based on income from two years prior. Once you claim Social Security, your income for premium purposes will include that benefit, which may push you into a higher income bracket and increase your IRMAA surcharge.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.