You're typically eligible for Medicare at 65. But what if you retire before 65 — like at 62?
You probably have some questions.
Will my Medicare start if I retire at 62?
What will I do if I don't have social security benefits?
How will I cover my health care expenses when I retire at 62?
Fair Square Medicare
Your Medicare
Let's talk about some different scenarios.
If you're receiving Social Security disability benefits
Similarly, if you have end-stage renal disease ( ESRD
Also, if you have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ( ALS/Lou Gehrig’s disease
Your Medicare Part A premium is based on the number of years you or your spouse have worked and paid Medicare taxes.
If you've paid into Medicare while working for at least 10 years, your Medicare Part A will be free—you don't need to pay a premium.
But, if you've worked for less than 10 years, you might have to pay a premium.
However, if you're 62 and have been working for more than 10 years, your spouse (age 65) may be able to use your work history to their benefit (or vice versa).
So, if your spouse is 65 and has either not been in the workforce or has worked for less than 10 years, they may be eligible for a premium-free Medicare Part A due to your work history.
Here's an example:
John is 65. He has Medicare but needs to pay a premium for his Part A Medicare since he's worked for less than 10 years. His wife, Lily, has been working for more than 10 years. When Lily turns 62, John no longer needs to pay the Part A premium — it's free.
This transfer of spousal benefit is possible only when you turn 62, and your spouse is 65, or vice versa. Your Medicare, however, will not begin until you're 65.
If you retire before 65, but your spouse is still in the workforce, you might be covered under their employer's healthcare insurance — if it includes your spouse.
You can also go for COBRA
You can also purchase an affordable private health insurance plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace
Medicare benefits usually don't begin until you're 65. So, if you retire at age 62 and are not in one of the exemption groups, you'll likely have to look for other options to cover your health expenses.
If you're retiring before (or after) turning 65, and have any questions about your health insurance, you can speak to Fair Square Medicare's
13 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Jacksonville
Mar 3, 2023
2024 Cost of Living Adjustment
Nov 13, 2023
Medicare Supplement Plans for Low-Income Seniors
Mar 23, 2023
Does Medicare Cover Medical Marijuana?
Jan 6, 2023
Does Medicare pay for Opdivo?
Nov 23, 2022
What To Do If Your Medicare Advantage Plan Is Discontinued
Feb 26, 2024
2024 Fair Square Client Retention and Satisfaction Report
Mar 4, 2025
Is Gainswave Covered by Medicare?
Dec 6, 2022
Does Medicare Cover Jakafi?
Dec 12, 2022
10 Top Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Companies for 2025
Jul 14, 2025
What People Don't Realize About Medicare
Mar 27, 2023
Does Medicare Cover Bladder Sling Surgery?
Jan 11, 2023
Does Medicare Cover Light Therapy for Psoriasis?
Jan 17, 2023
Fair Square Client Newsletter: AEP Edition
Oct 2, 2023
Can I Change Medicare Advantage Plans Any Time? | Medicare Plans
Sep 19, 2022
Does Medicare Cover Xiafaxan?
Jan 19, 2023
Can Doctors Choose Not to Accept Medicare?
Dec 8, 2022
Is the Shingles Vaccine Covered by Medicare?
Nov 17, 2022
Can I Choose Marketplace Coverage Instead of Medicare?
Can I Have Two Primary Care Physicians?
Can I Laminate My Medicare Card?
Can Medicare Advantage Plans be Used Out of State?
Can Medicare Help with the Cost of Tyrvaya?
Do All Hospitals Accept Medicare Advantage Plans?
Do You Need Medigap if You're Eligible for Both Medicare and Medicaid?
Does Medicare Cover an FMT?
Does Medicare Cover Cataract Surgery?
Does Medicare Cover Cervical Disc Replacement?
Does Medicare Cover Diabetic Eye Exams?
Does Medicare Cover Inspire for Sleep Apnea?
Does Medicare Cover Iovera Treatment?
Does Medicare Cover Kidney Stone Removal?
Does Medicare Cover Kyphoplasty?
Does Medicare Cover Linx Surgery?
Does Medicare Cover Mental Health?
Does Medicare Cover Nuedexta?
Does Medicare Cover Ofev?
Does Medicare Cover Orthodontic Care?
Does Medicare Cover Ozempic?
Does Medicare Cover PTNS?
Does Medicare Cover RSV Vaccines?
Does Medicare Cover Scleral Lenses?
Does Medicare Cover Service Animals?
Does Medicare Cover Shock Wave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis?
Does Medicare Cover SIBO Testing?
Does Medicare Cover Stair Lifts?
Does Medicare Cover Urodynamic Testing?
Does Medicare Require a Referral for Audiology Exams?
Does Retiring at Age 62 Make Me Eligible for Medicare?
Does Your Medicare Plan Cover B12 Shots?
Does Your Plan Include A Free Gym Membership?
Estimating Prescription Drug Costs
Everything About Your Medicare Card + Medicare Number
Explaining the Different Enrollment Periods for Medicare
Fair Square Bulletin: We're Revolutionizing Medicare
Finding the Best Dental Plans for Seniors
Gap Health Insurance: The Secret Sidekick to Your High-Deductible Plan
How Are Medicare Star Ratings Determined?
How Can I Get a Replacement Medicare Card?
How Does Medicare Cover Colonoscopies?
How Does Medicare Pay for Emergency Room Visits?
How Does the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Affect Your Medicare?
How is Medicare Changing in 2025?
How Much Does Medicare Part B Cost in 2025?
How Much Does Open Heart Surgery Cost with Medicare?
How Often Can I Change Medicare Plans?
Is Balloon Sinuplasty Covered by Medicare?
Is Displacement Affecting Your Medicare Coverage?
Is HIFU Covered by Medicare?
Medicare & Ozempic
Medicare Advantage MSA Plans
Medicare Advantage Plans for Disabled People Under 65
Medicare Explained
Medicare Guaranteed Issue Rights by State
Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage
Moving? Here’s What Happens to Your Medicare Coverage
Plan G vs. Plan N
Saving Money with Alternative Pharmacies & Discount Programs
Seeing the Value in Fair Square
What Are Medicare Part B Excess Charges?
What If I Don't Like My Plan?
What Is a Medicare Advantage POS Plan?
What Is a Medicare Supplement SELECT Plan?
What Is Medical Underwriting for Medigap?
What is the 8-Minute Rule on Medicare?
What to Do When Your Doctor Doesn't Take Medicare
What You Need to Know About Creditable Coverage
What's the Difference Between HMO and PPO Plans?
When Can You Change Medicare Supplement Plans?
Will Medicare Cover it?
Get the Fair Square Bulletin
Medicare savings tips, helpful guides, and more.
Virgil Insurance Agency, LLC (DBA Fair Square Medicare) and www.fairsquaremedicare.com are privately owned and operated by Help Button Inc. Medicare supplement insurance plans are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. This is a solicitation of insurance. A licensed agent/producer may contact you. Medicare Supplement insurance is available to those age 65 and older enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B and, in some states, to those under age 65 eligible for Medicare due to disability or End-Stage Renal disease. Virgil Insurance Agency is a licensed and certified representative of Medicare Advantage HMO, HMO SNP, PPO, PPO SNP and PFFS organizations and stand-alone PDP prescription drug plans. Each of the organizations we represent has a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any plan depends on contract renewal. The plans we represent do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Plan availability varies by region and state. For a complete list of available plans please contact 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week or consult www.medicare.gov. © 2025 Help Button Inc
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.
MULTIPLAN_FairSquareMedicare_01062022_M
Fair Square Medicare