Applying for Social Security retirement and Medicare Part B timing confusion - need advice fast
I'm so confused about my Medicare enrollment timing while applying for SS retirement benefits! I just started my application for SS retirement (benefits to start May 2025 when I turn my FRA), and there's a question asking if I want to enroll in Medicare Part B. I'll be turning 65 in March 2025, and my employer coverage ends April 30th. I thought I couldn't apply for Medicare Parts A and B until December 2024 (3 months before my birthday month). Should I answer YES to the Medicare Part B question in my SS retirement application now? Or should I decline it now and apply separately for Medicare in December? I definitely want both Parts A and B to start May 1st when my work coverage ends. I'm worried if I say YES now, they'll start my Medicare too early and I'll be double-paying for coverage. But if I say NO, will I mess up my enrollment window? Has anyone navigated this timing issue between SS retirement and Medicare enrollment? What's the right way to handle this?
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Malik Johnson
You should definitely note on your application that you want Medicare to start on May 1st, 2025 since that's when your current coverage ends. SSA can coordinate the timing with your retirement benefits. When I retired, I made a note specifically requesting my Medicare to start the month after my employer coverage ended, and they handled it correctly. Don't wait to apply separately later - it's easier to do it all at once.
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QuantumLeap
•Thank you for sharing your experience! So you think I should select YES for Part B on the retirement application? Did you have to write your requested start date somewhere specific on the application, or just in the general remarks section?
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Isabella Santos
There's a lot of misinformation about this. When you apply for Social Security retirement benefits, you CAN specify your Medicare enrollment at the same time, even months in advance. The SSA can process both together and set different start dates for each. You should: 1. Select YES for Medicare Part B on your application 2. In the remarks section, clearly state: "I want Medicare Parts A and B to begin May 1, 2025 when my employer coverage ends." 3. Keep documentation of your current insurance to prove you have creditable coverage until April 30th This way everything is in one application, and you won't risk missing your Initial Enrollment Period for Medicare.
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Ravi Sharma
•i dunno about this advice. my sister did exactly this last yr and they messed it up royally. started her medicare 3 months b4 she wanted and she was paying double. took 4 calls to fix it!!
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Ravi Sharma
U shud just wait and do it in december. thats what the medicare people told my friend. less chance of a mixup that way.
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Freya Larsen
•This is TERRIBLE advice. If you're already applying for Social Security, you should absolutely handle Medicare enrollment at the same time. The system is designed to work this way. Waiting creates unnecessary complications and could potentially result in penalties if you miss your enrollment window.
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Omar Hassan
When I turned 65 in 2023, I was still working with employer insurance. I went ahead and applied for Medicare Part A (free) but delayed Part B until I retired in 2024. I had to fill out form CMS-L564 with my employer to prove I had coverage when I finally signed up for Part B. It was a big headache! Just include notes about your start date in your SS application - much simpler.
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Malik Johnson
I tried for DAYS to reach someone at Social Security to ask this exact question when I was applying last year. The wait times were insane - I kept getting disconnected after waiting for hours. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through and talk to an actual agent in under 15 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU The agent confirmed that I should select YES for Medicare on my retirement application and note my preferred start date in the remarks section. They can process everything together and set different start dates for SS benefits and Medicare. Saved me so much stress!
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QuantumLeap
•I've never heard of that service - I'll check it out! I've been trying to get through to SSA for three days with no luck. Thank you for the tip and for confirming what I should do.
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Chloe Taylor
My husband just went through this! We were so confused too. He turned 65 in February but didn't retire until August. Our insurance lady at work told us to make SURE we noted the requested start date for Medicare in the remarks section of his SS application. It worked fine - both parts A & B started exactly when we requested. Don't stress too much!
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ShadowHunter
The WHOLE SYSTEM is designed to confuse you!!!! I answered YES to the Medicare question when I applied for SS last year and they started charging me Part B premiums THREE MONTHS before I wanted them to start! Then they claimed I never specified a start date even though I DID in the remarks section. I had to make EIGHT CALLS to get it fixed. The SSA is INCOMPETENT and they will mess up your enrollment no matter what you do!!!!
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Isabella Santos
•While frustrating situations do happen, they're not the norm. The vast majority of enrollments process correctly, especially when people clearly document their requests. For the original poster: Make sure to print your completed application before submitting, take screenshots of the remarks section with your Medicare request, and keep detailed notes of all communications with SSA. This documentation will help resolve any potential issues quickly.
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QuantumLeap
Thank you all for the helpful advice! I think I'll select YES for Medicare Part B and clearly note in the remarks section that I want both Parts A and B to start May 1st, 2025 when my employer coverage ends. I'll also make sure to save a copy of my application with all the notes. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences!
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Chloe Taylor
wait i'm confused about something - doesn't Medicare have to start the month you turn 65? My neighbor said you don't get to pick the start date...
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Isabella Santos
•That's a common misconception. If you're still working and covered by employer insurance when you turn 65, you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. This allows you to delay Medicare enrollment without penalties and choose when your coverage begins (typically the month after your employer coverage ends). You just need to provide proof of your current creditable coverage when enrolling.
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