Is It Possible to Apply for Medicare Without Having Social Security?

Many people believe that you must enroll in Social Security before applying for Medicare, but this is not true. Social Security and Medicare are related in certain respects but are distinct in others. We’ll cover all you need to know about how the two work together in this piece.

When Should You Begin Your Social Security Benefits?

In the United States of America, you can begin collecting Social Security payments as early as age 62. That is, assuming you have accumulated sufficient credits. At the latest, you can begin receiving benefits at the age of 70.

If you begin receiving Social Security benefits at the age of 62, your payments will be decreased proportionately to the number of months you receive benefits prior to reaching full retirement age.

Social Security normally considers you to be fully retired at the age of 66 and a half. This, however, changes according to the year of your birth.

In the simplest words, receiving income benefits prior to reaching full retirement age results in a decreased benefit amount. Waiting and receiving benefits later, up to the age of 70, results in a higher monthly benefit check.

Deferring Social Security benefits has no effect on your eligibility for Medicare at the age of 65.

When Should You Enroll in Medicare?

Unlike Social Security, Medicare is an entitlement program that you cannot join until you reach the age of 65. However, if you have certain disabilities, you may qualify earlier. Thus, even if you begin receiving Social Security payments at age 62, you will not be eligible for Medicare until you reach the age of 65.

While the majority of people enroll in Medicare at age 65, some people who are still working may delay enrollment. We’ll discuss this more below.

Unlike Social Security, Medicare in Philadelphia, PA is an entitlement program that you cannot join until you reach the age of 65. However, if you have certain disabilities, you may qualify earlier. Thus, even if you begin receiving Social Security payments at age 62, you will not be eligible for Medicare until you reach the age of 65.

While the majority of people enroll in Medicare at age 65, some people who are still working may delay enrollment. We’ll discuss this more below.

Conclusion

So, if you do not have Social Security, can you obtain Medicare? You most definitely may, and many people join Medicare at the age of 65 while deferring Social Security income benefits.

All of these requirements may be rather complicated to follow, which is why you should consider talking with a financial adviser to determine the optimal timing for you to begin receiving income benefits.

If you want assistance with Medicare enrollment in Philadelphia PA, look no further. BroadZero can help!