Turning 65 and Still Working?
Your Guide to Deferring Medicare
If You Have Employer Group Coverage at Age 65
If you’re turning 65 and have active employer health coverage—either through your own job or your spouse’s—you can delay enrolling in Medicare without penalty, as long as the coverage is creditable (see video for details).
Option 1: Defer Both Medicare Part A & Part B
- You can delay enrolling in both Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance).
- This option is ideal if you’re still working and contributing to a Health Savings Account (HSA).
Option 2: Enroll in Part A (Only) and Defer Part B
- Part A is usually premium-free if you or your spouse have enough work credits.
- Enrolling in Part A now can help you get your Medicare number established, which makes future enrollment easier.
- This is a good choice if you’re not contributing to an HSA.
- Visit our Part A Only Enrollment page for simple instructions.
⚠️ Important Note About HSAs
If you’re enrolled in a Health Savings Account (HSA) through your employer plan:
-
Do NOT enroll in Part A or Part B if you’re still contributing to your HSA.
-
Enrolling in any part of Medicare will disqualify you from making further HSA contributions and could trigger a tax penalty.
What is Group Creditable Coverage? 2 min
Enrolling Later:
The Request For Employment Information form provides the creditable coverage information to avoid a Medicare Part B penalty when you enroll after age 65. This form is not required until you are ready to enroll.
- There is no need to notify Medicare now if you are not enrolling.
- No need to keep this form, we can provide the current version when you are closer to enrollment.
- If you change jobs after age 65, you will be required to get this form completed by each employer that provided Group Health Benefits after age 65.