Whether they’re concerned with affording retirement or love their job, Americans are working later in life. In fact, the percentage of older adults working today is the largest since the creation of Medicare in the 1960s.

Some individuals, maybe even you, will still be actively employed upon becoming eligible for the Medicare program. Can you work full time and enroll in Medicare, and if you choose to not enroll, will you get a penalty?

Can You Have Medicare Insurance While Working?

If you don’t receive health coverage through work, it’s safe to say you should get Medicare insurance coverage.

If you’re working when you enter your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), you can enroll in the Medicare program. As long as you meet all the criteria needed to be eligible, it is your right to do so. You can also choose to delay your Medicare insurance coverage, though you may be penalized later.

If you don’t receive health coverage through work, it’s safe to say you should get Medicare insurance coverage.

What If I Have Non-Retiree Health Coverage Through My Employer?

If you have non-retiree health insurance through your or your spouse’s employer when you become eligible, you’ll have to choose if you want to enroll in Medicare Parts A, B, and/or D. Ultimately, this decision depends on the type of health coverage you or your spouse currently have and the size of your or your spouse’s employer.

Generally speaking, you should probably enroll in Part A after qualifying for the Medicare program.

If the employer has fewer than 20 employees, you’ll probably want to enroll in Parts A, B, and D upon becoming eligible for them. In this situation, Medicare insurance usually becomes your primary coverage. If the employer has 20 employees or more, you may want to delay Parts A, B, and/or D if you have sufficient group coverage and know you won’t incur late enrollment penalties. The Medicare program usually pays second to group coverage from larger employers.

If you have any questions, you can always reach out to a licensed agent.

Generally speaking, you should probably enroll in Part A after qualifying for the Medicare program. For many seniors, Part A is premium-free and acts as great supplementary coverage. In some cases, it may not make sense to enroll in and pay the monthly premiums that come with Parts B and D right away. Before making the decision to delay any part of Medicare, compare the coverage to see if enrolling in it while covered by your current health plan makes sense. If you have any questions, you can always reach out to a licensed agent.

When Can I Delay Insurance Without a Penalty?

If you have non-retiree group coverage through your employer or your spouse’s employer, you will most likely be able to delay Medicare Parts A, B, and/or D without getting penalized. You could be at risk for receiving late enrollment penalties if:

  • If the company you or your spouse works for has under 20 employees and you delay your insurance coverage
  • If you get qualifying coverage through your domestic partner’s workplace, but aren’t married to him or her, and delay your Medicare insurance coverage
  • If your employer does not offer creditable prescription drug coverage and/or you go at least 63 days without creditable drug coverage

What Happens with Medicare Insurance After I Retire?

Once your employment or non-retiree employee group coverage ends (whichever comes first), you’ll enter a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). During this SEP, which starts the month after the qualifying event and lasts for the eight months afterwards, you can usually enroll in a Medicare insurance plan without incurring a penalty.

If you don’t enroll in Parts A and/or B during the SEP, you’ll start to accrue a penalty that’ll take effect if and when you enroll in them.

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With so many retirees counting on Medicare insurance for coverage, we often don’t think about working while on Medicare, but working and the Medicare program can go hand in hand. Whether you choose to have Medicare insurance while employed or rely on coverage through your work, you should look at your options to make sure it’s right for you. The same goes for remaining on your partner’s employee health plan after age 65. While it may seem like a good choice, that’s not always the case. Knowing your options can keep you covered when you need it most and avoid a potential financial penalty. Whether you’re remaining on an employee health plan and doubling up with a Medicare insurance plan or going right to Medicare, you can explore your options with the Shop & Enroll Plan Finder. With this tool, you can search for Medicare insurance plans in your area, directly compare costs and coverages, and connect with a licensed insurance agent if you have questions!

Further Reading

Medicare.gov — Working past 65