For those receiving retirement benefits
Suppose you’re already receiving Railroad Retirement Benefits or Social Security Retirement benefits when you turn 65. In that case, you will be enrolled in Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance).
If you reside outside the 50 States or D.C., e.g., you live in Puerto Rico, you will be enrolled in Medicare Part A, but you will need to manually enroll in Medicare Part B.
For those receiving disability benefits under 65
If you’re under 65 and getting certain disability benefits from Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board, you will be automatically enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A and B) after 24 months of disability benefits. The exception here is if you are diagnosed with ESRD (end-stage renal disease). You can apply for Medicare with ESRD if you need a kidney transplant or regular dialysis. Suppose you have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease). In that case, you will be enrolled in Original Medicare in the same month that your disability coverage starts.
Can one enroll when they’re retiring at 62?
No, but in some instances, when one spouse turns 62, the other spouse may qualify for premium-deferred Medicare Part A even if he or she hasn’t worked.
If you have been employed for at least ten years (40 quarters), while paying Medicare taxes, you will not pay monthly premiums for Part A benefits (hospital insurance). However, if you have not worked or worked fewer than ten years, you may be eligible for enrollment into premium-free Part A when your partner turns 62 if they have worked at least ten years while devoutly paying Medicare taxes. However, to qualify for the program, you need to be 65 years old, be a US citizen, or be a permanent resident for no less than five consecutive years.
Here is how it plays out:
- Ricky is 65 years old. He has Medicare, but he pays a monthly premium for his Medicare Part A coverage. He has only worked for seven years and no longer works.
- His wife Anna has worked for more than 30 years.
- Anna has turned 62, and Ricky no longer has to pay a Part A premium rate.
- Anna still has to wait until she turns 65 to be eligible for Medicare unless she becomes eligible via an illness.
Also, if you retire at 62, you may be able to continue receiving medical insurance coverage via your employer, or you can buy coverage from a private insurer until you turn 65.