Moving from an employer plan to Medicare

Sooner or later that day of retirement will come. Now what do you do?

If you are still working, moving from an employer health plan to Medicare health plan needs some thought on your part. Your decision on when to retire has several options you need to consider.

To enroll in Medicare, go online to www.ssa.gov and sign up for Part A if you will continue to work. If you want to receive your monthly Social Security check you need to sign up for Part A and Part B and enroll in a Medicare health plan, not your employer’s health plan.

If your employer has an active creditable employee health plan, you need to contact Social Security and enroll in Medicare Part A within 3-months before your 65th birth month. You will be enrolled in Medicare but will be using your employer’s health plan till you retire. You will not be receiving your monthly Social Security check until you enroll in Part B. 

You can remain working till age seventy, but you are required to enroll into Medicare before you turn seventy. When you do retire you need to again contact Social Security and enroll in Part B withing 90-days after you leave your employer in order to start receiving your Social Security check. 

When you get your Medicare card, contact me so we can review policy benefits and health plans. You can not enroll in a Medicare health plan unless you have a Medicare card with Part A and Part B issue dates.