Generally speaking, unless you have another source of qualifying coverage, you must sign up for Medicare when you turn 65 or face late-enrollment penalties. Those surcharges can be steep: your monthly premium can increase by 10% for each year-long period you were eligible but didn’t sign up.

More often than not, you’ll have to pay this penalty every time you pay your premiums, for as long as you have Part B, and it increases the longer you go without that coverage.

Still Working When You’re Eligible for Medicare?

You should enroll in Part A when you turn 65 even if you’re covered under an employer-sponsored plan. Part A is free if you’ve paid into the system. However, you may be able to delay enrolling in Part B if you’re eligible for a Special Enrollment Period. But before you decide, contact your benefits administrator to see whether your insurance would work with Medicare.

In general, if you have health insurance from a previous employer, including COBRA and retiree coverage, Medicare recommends enrolling in Part A and Part B when you’re first eligible. If you have health insurance through your or your spouse’s current employer, the guidance depends on the size of your employer. If the company has 20 or more employees, you may be able to delay enrollment without being penalized. If the company has fewer than 20 employees, Medicare recommends signing up for Part A and Part B when you’re first eligible.

In addition, you should consider enrolling in Medicare Part B if your spouse’s employer requires covered dependents to enroll in Medicare when they turn 65 or if you’re not married but living in a domestic partnership, and covered by your partner’s employer's health insurance. Unfortunately, these cases do not qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period where you may face late enrollment penalties.

It can be overwhelming to keep up with all these terms, dates and deadlines. But we have you covered. We’re here to help you keep track of the key dates throughout your enrollment season.