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But don’t forget about
Medicare.
Even if you decide to wait
until after you are age 65 to apply for retirement benefits, most
people should apply for Medicare coverage at age 65. If you’d like
to begin your Medicare coverage, you should apply within four months
of reaching age 65. 
There’s a fast, convenient,
and simple way to apply online for Medicare in as little as 10
minutes — even if you’re not ready to receive retirement benefits.
Just visit
www.socialsecurity.gov/medicareonly.
At the website, you’ll find
more than just the online Medicare application. You’ll also find
information about Medicare, and have the opportunity to watch a
short, fun video reuniting the cast of The Patty Duke Show to
tell you about the ease and convenience of filing for Medicare
online. [to top of second
column]
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It’s important to note that
people who already receive Social Security retirement or disability
benefits do not need to apply for Medicare; they will be
automatically enrolled.
There is no additional charge
for Medicare hospital insurance (Part A) since you already paid for
it by working and paying Medicare tax. But there is a monthly
premium for medical insurance (Part B). If you already have other
health insurance when you become eligible for Medicare, you should
consider whether you want to apply for the medical insurance. You
may want to consult with an insurance specialist. To learn more
about this and other Medicare considerations, read our online
publication, Medicare, at
www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10043.html.
By Judith Bartels
Social Security District
Manager in Springfield, IL
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