The Medicare age is still 65, and there are no current plans to change it

Medicare may be able to access begins at age 65 for most people. This has not changed, and Congress has not passed any law to raise it to 67. You may have heard rumors or seen posts online suggesting the age will increase, but those are not based on current law.

What has changed over the years is Social Security's full retirement age, which is now 67 for people born in 1960 or later. This is different from Medicare. The two programs are separate, and changes to one do not automatically affect the other.

If you are approaching 65, you should plan to sign up for Medicare at 65 unless you have employer coverage that lets you delay. Waiting past 65 without coverage can result in permanent penalties on your premiums.

Key Takeaways

  • Medicare may be able to access is age 65 and has remained unchanged since the program began in 1965.
  • Social Security's full retirement age is 67 for people born in 1960 or later, but this does not affect when you can join Medicare.
  • You should sign up for Medicare at 65 even if you do not plan to retire, unless you have group health coverage through an employer.
  • Delaying Medicare enrollment past 65 without may have access to coverage can lead to a permanent 10 percent increase in your Part B premium for each year you wait.

Why people confuse Medicare age with Social Security retirement age

The confusion usually starts with Social Security. In the 1980s, Congress raised Social Security's full retirement age from 65 to 67 for people born after 1954. This change happened gradually over many years. Because both programs serve older adults and both involve age 65 or 67, people sometimes assume the changes happened to both.

Medicare and Social Security are run by different parts of the government and have different rules. You can join Medicare at 65 and still delay taking Social Security until 70 if you want a larger monthly check. Or you can take Social Security early at 62 and join Medicare at 65. The two decisions are separate.

What happens if you do not sign up for Medicare at 65

If you turn 65 and do not sign up for Medicare Part B (medical insurance) or Part D (prescription drug coverage), you will owe a penalty. The penalty is a permanent 10 percent increase in your Part B premium for each full year you delay without may have access to coverage.

The exception is if you have health coverage through your employer or your spouse's employer. If your employer has 20 or more employees, you can stay on that plan past 65 without penalty. You will need to sign up for Medicare when you leave that job or lose the coverage, whichever comes first.

Part D (prescription drug coverage) has its own penalty. If you go 63 days or more without coverage and then sign up later, you will pay an extra amount each month for as long as you have Part D. This penalty also does not go away.

When you should sign up for Medicare

You should sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period, which is the seven-month window that includes the month you turn 65, the three months before, and the three months after. If you sign up during this window, your coverage starts on the first day of the month you turn 65 (or the first day of the following month, depending on when you sign up).

If you miss this window and do not have may have access to employer coverage, you can still sign up, but your coverage will start later and you will owe the penalty. You can sign up during the General Enrollment Period, which runs from January 1 to March 31 each year, and coverage starts July 1.

You can sign up online at Medicare.gov, by phone at 1-800-MEDICARE, or in person at your local Social Security office.

How to check your Medicare enrollment status

You can log into your personal Medicare account at Medicare.gov to see what coverage you have and when it started. You will need your Medicare number, which appears on your red, white, and blue Medicare card.

If you do not have a Medicare account yet, you can create one at Medicare.gov. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and email address. Once you are logged in, you can see your enrollment dates, your coverage type, and any penalties that may explore.

If you have questions about your specific situation, you can call 1-800-MEDICARE. The line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also contact your local Social Security office or a State Health Insurance information Program (SHIP), which offers free counseling about Medicare.

What Congress has discussed about Medicare age

Over the years, some lawmakers have proposed raising the Medicare age as a way to reduce government spending. These proposals have not become law. The most recent serious discussion was in 2011, when a bipartisan commission suggested raising the age gradually to 67. Congress did not act on this recommendation.

Any change to the Medicare age would require a new law passed by Congress and signed by the President. Such a change would likely include a transition period for people already near 65, so it would not happen overnight. If you are already 65 or close to it, a change would not affect you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delay Medicare until I am 67?

You can delay Part B if you have employer coverage, but you cannot delay Part A (hospital insurance) once you turn 65 — you are automatically enrolled if you receive Social Security. If you delay Part B without may have access to coverage, you will owe a permanent penalty. Talk to your employer's benefits office about your options before you turn 65.

Does my spouse's age affect when I can join Medicare?

No. Each person joins Medicare based on their own age. If you are 65 and your spouse is 62, you can join Medicare at 65 while your spouse waits until 65. Your spouse's age does not change your enrollment important date or penalties.

What if I am still working at 65?

You should still sign up for Medicare at 65 even if you are working, unless your employer has 20 or more employees and you are covered by their health plan. If you are covered by your employer, you can delay Part B without penalty, but you should still sign up for Part A to avoid penalties later.

Will my Medicare coverage change if the age does increase in the future?

If Congress ever passes a law to raise the Medicare age, it would almost certainly include a transition period. People already on Medicare or very close to 65 would not be affected. Any change would likely explore only to people much younger today.

Where can I learn more about Medicare coverage options?

Medicare.gov has detailed information about Part A, Part B, Part D, and Medicare Advantage plans. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE to speak with someone who can answer questions about your situation. Your State Health Insurance information Program offers free one-on-one counseling about Medicare choices.