Still Working at 65?
Many people keep working past 65. Whether you need Medicare right away depends on your employer coverage — and getting it wrong can lead to penalties or gaps. Here's what to know.
Key points
- If you have coverage from current employment at a company with 20 or more employees, you can often delay Part B without penalty.
- At smaller employers, Medicare usually pays first — so you generally need Parts A and B.
- COBRA and retiree coverage do not count as coverage from current employment.
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It depends on the size of your employer and your coverage. If you (or your spouse) are covered by a group health plan through current employment, and the employer has 20 or more employees, your employer plan generally pays first and you may be able to delay Part B without a penalty.
If the employer has fewer than 20 employees, Medicare generally pays first. In that case, your employer plan may only pay after Medicare — so you'd usually need to enroll in Parts A and B when first eligible to avoid large gaps in coverage. Always confirm with your employer's benefits administrator.
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Frequently asked questions
Sources from Medicare.gov
The facts on this page come from official Medicare.gov information. Rules, premiums, deductibles, and income limits can change every year — check these pages for the current details.
- Working past 65 (opens Medicare.gov in a new tab)
- When can I sign up for Medicare? (opens Medicare.gov in a new tab)
- Special Enrollment Periods (opens Medicare.gov in a new tab)
- Avoid late enrollment penalties (opens Medicare.gov in a new tab)
You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048).
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We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
To send a complaint to Medicare, call 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week. If your complaint involves a broker or agent, be sure to include the name of the person when filing your grievance.
This website is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. The information on this page is general education, not advice about a specific plan.