Dear Rusty: I turn 65 this November 2026. Someone told me I need to set up a Social Security account at least 3 months ahead of time before applying for Medicare for the first time. I do not intend to take any Social Security benefits until, perhaps, age 67 or later. Please advise and thank you. Signed: Looking Ahead
Dear Looking Ahead: You don’t technically need to “set up” an online SSA account to enroll in Medicare, but it would be more efficient to do so. We always recommend creating your online “my Social Security” account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount well before you are ready to claim your Social Security benefits. That’s because you can monitor your projected Social Security benefits to help you decide when to claim, but it also facilitates other things you might need to do at the Social Security Administration (such as claiming your SS retirement benefits online and enrolling in Medicare online).
As for Medicare, you can enroll in Medicare up to 3 months before the month you turn 65, and you can contact the Social Security Administration by phone up to 3 months prior in order to schedule an appointment to enroll over the phone (call 1.800.772.1213 to make the appointment). You can enroll via telephone, even if you don’t have your “my Social Security” online account set up. However, an advantage to creating your personal online Social Security account Is that you could then enroll in Medicare online as described at this link: www.ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up. And you can, as you wish to do, enroll only in Medicare without also taking your Social Security benefits at this time.
I want to also make you aware that if you are still working and have “creditable” healthcare coverage from your employer (“creditable” is an employer group plan with at least 20 participants), then you can delay enrolling in Medicare until your employer coverage ends (thus saving the usual Medicare Part B monthly premium). When your employer’s healthcare coverage ends, you will enter a Special Enrollment Period during which you can enroll in Medicare without incurring a Late Enrollment Penalty.
Finally, please be aware that whenever you claim your Social Security benefits, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A (inpatient hospitalization coverage) and Part B (coverage for outpatient medical services). Since there is a monthly premium associated with Medicare Part B (but not with Part A), you can choose to decline Part B if you are still working and covered by your employer’s creditable healthcare plan, until your employer’s healthcare coverage ends.
This article is intended for information purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. It presents the opinions and interpretations of the AMAC Foundation’s staff, trained and accredited by the National Social Security Association (NSSA). NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration (amacfoundation.org/programs/social-security-dvisory) or email us at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org.
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