Eligibility for Medicare: Turning 65 and retiring

If you’re ready to retire once you turn 65, your eligibility for Medicare occurs over a 7-month period known as the Initial Enrollment Period. This period begins 3 months before the month you turn 65 and lasts for 3 months after it. During this time, you can sign up for Medicare Part A and/or Part B (Original Medicare).

If you are retired and are signed up for Social Security benefits or Railroad Retirement Benefits, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B beginning the first day of the month in which you turn 65. If you have not yet received Social Security benefits, you should sign up for Medicare. 

This is important: You may have to pay a late enrollment penalty if you don’t sign up for Medicare Part B when you first become eligible. 

Learn when to get started with our personalized timeline tool below: