Does Retiring at Age 62 Make Me Eligible for Medicare?

About

Medicare 101

Current Clients

Does Retiring at Age 62 Make Me Eligible for Medicare?

By Tej Seelamsetty

Jun 16, 2022

Can Your Medicare Begin if You Retire at Age 62

You're typically eligible for Medicare at 65. But what if you retire before 65 — like at 62?

Speak with a Medicare Advocate

Talk to one of our Licensed Medicare Agents today to find the right plans for you.

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

is here to help you get answers to these and other questions.

When Does My Medicare Begin?

Your

Medicare

begins when you turn 65. But sometimes you can get benefits before you're 65.

Let's talk about some different scenarios.

If you're receiving

Social Security disability benefits

, your Medicare will automatically start the 25th month after receiving your benefits.

Similarly, if you have end-stage renal disease (

ESRD

), have undergone a kidney transplant, or need continuous dialysis, you might be eligible for Medicare before you turn 65 and be able to get benefits immediately.

Also, if you have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (

ALS/Lou Gehrig’s disease

), you'll be enrolled to receive Medicare as soon as your disability benefits begin.

How Does Being 62 Affect My Spouse's Medicare?

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.

What Are the Health Insurance Options if I Retire at 62 or before 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

, which allows you to continue your previous employer's coverage. COBRA is a federal law that will enable you to continue your previous employer's coverage for a limited time (18 to 36 months). The premium for COBRA coverage is usually higher than what you were paying as an active employee, but it still might be lower than what you would pay for an individual health insurance policy. Note that once you turn 65, COBRA is no longer considered "creditable" coverage by Medicare. You could face penalties for not enrolling in Medicare if you stay on COBRA after you turn 65.

You can also purchase an affordable private health insurance plan from the

Health Insurance Marketplace

, where you can compare plans and prices to find the best coverage for you.

Conclusion

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

licensed experts at 1-888-376-2028. We can give you a clear picture and guide you through your options.

Speak with a Medicare Advocate

Talk to one of our Licensed Medicare Agents today to find the right plans for you.

Your Medicare One-Stop-Shop

Your guide to Medicare Parts A & B, Medicare Advantage, and Medigap. 100% free.

Get the Fair Square Bulletin

Medicare savings tips, helpful guides, and more.

888-454-2383

info@fairsquaremedicare.com

About

Medicare 101

Current Clients

Medicare Supplement Plans

Medicare Advantage Plans

Fair Square 2025

•

Notice of Privacy Practices

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

Does Retiring at Age 62 Make Me Eligible for Medicare?

Can Your Medicare Begin if You Retire at Age 62

Speak with a Medicare Advocate

When Does My Medicare Begin?

How Does Being 62 Affect My Spouse's Medicare?

What Are the Health Insurance Options if I Retire at 62 or before 65?

Conclusion

Speak with a Medicare Advocate

Recommended Articles

More of our articles

Your Medicare One-Stop-Shop

About

Medicare 101

Current Clients

Medicare Supplement Plans

Medicare Advantage Plans