Topic
Medicare at 65
Turning 65 gives you a 7-month window to sign up. It is separate from fall Annual Enrollment.
Read these together
- 1The 7-month windowThe dates, and when employer coverage may let you wait.
- 2Month by month around 65The months before your birthday month, the birthday month, and the three months after.
- 3Which enrollment window am I in?Initial Enrollment, fall Annual Enrollment, and a Medicare Supplement (also called Medigap) window are different dates.
- 4Still working at 65?Employer size and creditable coverage decide whether you can delay Part B.
- 5COBRA vs Medicare at 65COBRA is not current employer coverage. Waiting on it can cause a Part B penalty.
- 6HSAs and Medicare Part AHSA contributions generally stop once any part of Medicare starts.
- 7Late Part B and Part D penaltiesWhat is a late penalty, and why the estimate on this site is not a bill.
Tools for this question
- Find My Enrollment WindowA short check of the window that matches your dates.
- The enrollment stepsWhat to do once you know your dates.
Other topics
Common questions
When should I sign up for Medicare if I am turning 65?
The dates are on The 7-month window. It is not fall Annual Enrollment.
Can I wait if I am still working?
Sometimes. The rule, including what to get in writing, is on The 7-month window. COBRA is a different article.
What should I do first?
Write down your birthday month, whether you or a spouse is still working, and whether you have an HSA. Then read the timeline.