Generally speaking, no. You can only enroll in Medicare at age 62 if you meet one of these criteria:
- You have been on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for at least two years.
- You are on SSDI because you suffer from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease. (The two-year requirement is waived in this case.)
- You suffer from end-stage renal disease.
Otherwise, yourinitial enrollment periodfor Medicare begins three months before the month of your 65th birthday. For example, if you turn 65 on July 4, 2024, the enrollment window opens on April 1.
If you are receiving Social Security benefits, the Social Security Administration, which handles Medicare enrollment, will send you aninformation packageand your Medicare card at the start of the sign-up period. You’ll be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A (hospitalization) and Part B (standard health insurance) in the month you turn 65.
In the meantime, consider looking into other options for health insurance to bridge the gap until you are Medicare-eligible. Depending on your financial and marital situation, these might include Medicaid, private insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace or coverage through a spouse's workplace plan.
Keep in mind
If you are not yet on Social Security when you turn 65, you will need to enroll in Medicare yourself. You can do soonline, by phone at 800-772-1213, or by visiting your local Social Security office. Local offices fully reopenedin 2022after being closed to walk-in traffic for more than two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Social Security recommends calling in advance and scheduling an appointment to avoid long waits.
FAQs
However, you can get Medicare at any age if: You've been entitled to Social Security disability benefits for 24 months. You've been entitled to Social Security disability benefits and have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease).
Can you get Medicare if you take Social Security early? ›
Because you're getting Social Security benefits at least 4 months before you turn 65, you don't need to do anything to sign up. We'll automatically enroll you in both Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance).
What are the three requirements for Medicare? ›
Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance)
- Be age 65 or older;
- Be a U.S. resident; AND.
- Be either a U.S. citizen, OR.
- Be an alien who has been lawfully admitted for permanent residence and has been residing in the United States for 5 continuous years prior to the month of filing an application for Medicare.
You can sign up for Part A any time after you turn 65. Your Part A coverage starts 6 months back from when you sign up or when you apply for benefits from Social Security (or the Railroad Retirement Board). Coverage can't start earlier than the month you turned 65.
Does Social Security count as income for Medicare? ›
In situations where you have Social Security payments in conjunction with an income that meets the tax filing limitations, only the income will be counted toward your total when being considered for income-related medical benefits.
Can you get Medicare at 62 if you draw Social Security? ›
No, you can't qualify for Medicare before age 65 unless you have a disabling medical condition. People younger than 65 who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits typically get Medicare 24 months after they become eligible for disability benefits.
Can you get Medicare at 62 if you retire early? ›
No. Even if your spouse has Medicare when you retire at 62, you aren't eligible for Medicare until you turn 65 (unless you qualify by disability).
Who is not eligible for Medicare? ›
Generally speaking, anyone under 65 will likely not have access to Medicare. Other people who may fall short of Medicare eligibility criteria include: Undocumented immigrants. People with disabilities who have received SSDI benefits for under two years.
What happens if you don't have enough credits for Medicare? ›
You can still get Medicare Part A coverage, even if you don't fully meet the work requirement of 40 credits. Here's what you'll pay in 2024: If you have 30 to 39 credits, your Part A premium will cost $278 per month. If you have fewer than 30 credits, your Part A premium will cost $505 per month.
What documents do I need to apply for Medicare? ›
To apply for Medicare, you'll need:
- Your Social Security Card.
- Your original birth certificate.
- Proof of U.S citizenship or legal citizenship status documentation if you were not born in the U.S.
- A copy of your W-2 form.
Can I get Medicare early if I retire early? If you retire earlier than age 65, you will not be eligible for Medicare. Although Medicare is often thought of as insurance for retired people, the Medicare age requirement is still 65.
How to retire at 62 and get health insurance? ›
Health insurance for early retirees: 8 options to consider when retiring before 65
- Insurance from a spouse. ...
- Marketplace. ...
- Health share plans. ...
- Private health insurance. ...
- Medicaid. ...
- COBRA. ...
- Employer-sponsored health insurance benefit. ...
- Part-time work or Barista FIRE.
Talk to someone
- Call us at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Help from Medicare is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except some federal holidays. ...
- Contact your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) – Get free personalized health insurance counseling.
If you don't buy Part A when you're first eligible for Medicare (usually when you turn 65), you might pay a penalty. Most people pay the standard Part B monthly premium amount ($174.70 in 2024). Social Security will tell you the exact amount you'll pay for Part B in 2024.
What income does Medicare look at? ›
We use the most recent federal tax return the IRS provides to us. If you must pay higher premiums, we use a sliding scale to calculate the adjustments, based on your “modified adjusted gross income” (MAGI). Your MAGI is your total adjusted gross income and tax-exempt interest income.
At what age is Social Security no longer taxed? ›
Social Security income can be taxable no matter how old you are. It all depends on whether your total combined income exceeds a certain level set for your filing status. You may have heard that Social Security income is not taxed after age 70; this is false.
How do I qualify for Medicare early? ›
Medicare is health insurance for people 65 or older. You may be eligible to get Medicare earlier if you have a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or ALS (also called Lou Gehrig's disease).
What is the #1 reason to take Social Security at 62? ›
1. You're Planning Your End-of-Life Care. Your Social Security benefits stop paying at your death, so if you die before collecting benefits, you'll have missed out on benefits entirely.
What is the 5 year rule for Social Security? ›
The Social Security five-year rule is the time period in which you can file for an expedited reinstatement after your Social Security disability benefits have been terminated completely due to work.
