The Social Security Administration (SSA) has made an important reminder to all American workers aged 64 who are not receiving retirement benefits yet. Thus, if you are approaching age 65 and do not get payments from SSA, make sure you sign up for Medicare.
Social Security claims that you should contact them about 3 months before you turn 65 years old. For your information, you should sign up for Medicare even if you do not want to file for retirement benefits yet.
Social Security Reminds Workers of Special Enrollment Period
The Agency claims that if you are eligible for Medicare and your medical insurance coverage is through your current employer’s group health plan, there is a Special Enrollment Period for Medicare to sign up for Part B.
As a matter of fact, this Special Enrollment Period qualifies you to delay enrolling in Medicare Part B without having to wait for a GEP (General Enrollment Period). What is more, it will be without paying the penalty for late enrollment.
For those who still do not know what Medicare is, it is a Federal Health Insurance Program. It is mainly for people aged 65 years old or older or for people with a qualifying disability.
Social Security explains who can get Medicare
For example, if you would like to get Medicare Part A, which has to do with hospital insurance, you must meet the following requirements:
- be 65 years old or older
- be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident in the USA
- receive Social Security benefits or
- receive Railroad Retirement Board benefits, or
- your spouse gets Social Security or RRB benefits
- you worked and paid enough Medicare taxes in a Government job
- you are the dependent parent of a fully insured deceased child.
Those citizens who do not qualify for Medicare Part A can also pay a monthly premium. Make sure you purchase them during the designated enrollment periods. For more details visit: https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10043.pdf