When to sign up for Medicare for the first time.
I turned 64 in July 2025; I am still employed full time. When must I apply for Medicare please?
Terry Says
If you’re still employed, and have equivalent coverage at work, you don’t need to sign up for Medicare until 3 months before the date of your retirement, when you lose work coverage. Note this does NOT include COBRA — the special enrollment period starts when you lose your original work coverage. You can apply in the fourth month before retirement to get your paperwork in order.
NOTE: Someone may advise you tosign up for Part A of Medicare now, since it is free. BUT, that means you can no longer contribute to a Health Savings Plan.
All this presumes your employer coverage does not require Medicare signup — as some small company plans do. So ask your employer if you are required to have Medicare as a primary insurer when you become eligible.
