When should I sign up for Medicare?

Your first enrollment window runs for seven months around your 65th birthday. Missing it can cost you for life.

Initial enrollment period

The window starts three months before the month you turn 65, includes your birthday month, and ends three months after: seven months in total. If you are already getting Social Security, you are usually enrolled in Parts A and B automatically.

The late penalty

If you skip Part B without other qualifying coverage, your premium rises by 10% for each full 12-month period you could have had it, and the penalty lasts as long as you have Part B.

Still working at 65?

If you or your spouse has coverage from current employment, you can usually delay Part B without penalty. You then get a special enrollment period that lasts 8 months after the job or the coverage ends, whichever comes first. COBRA and retiree plans do not count as current employment coverage, so do not rely on them to delay.

General enrollment

If you miss every window, you can sign up from January 1 to March 31 each year, with coverage starting the month after you enroll, and a penalty may apply.

See if income raises your premium →

Sources: Medicare.gov: when to sign up; Medicare.gov: avoid late enrollment penalties; SSA: sign up for Medicare.