Full (Normal) retirement age is 66 if you were born from 1943 to 1954 and increases gradually if you were born from 1955 to 1960, until it reaches 67. For anyone born 1960 or later, the full retirement benefits is age is 67. However, Medicare still starts at age 65.
Because of your age, you can use this application to sign up for Medicare only (no monthly cash benefits) or Medicare and monthly retirement benefits.
If you want to sign up for
- Medicare only, but you do NOT want to start receiving monthly retirement benefits yet, select "Yes."
- Medicare AND receive monthly retirement benefits, select "No."
Before You Decide
Read all of the following information and consider your decision carefully before you answer the question.
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If you apply for benefits before full retirement age, your benefits will be reduced because you are taking them earlier.
Example: If your retirement benefits start at age 65 and your full retirement age is 66, your benefit will be 93.3% of what you would receive at full retirement age. However, you would receive benefits for 12 more months over your lifetime.
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If you live to the average life expectancy for someone your age, it doesn't matter whether you choose to start receiving benefits this month, at age 66, at age 70 or any age in between. You will still receive about the same amount in lifetime benefits.
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If you delay receiving retirement benefits until after you reach full retirement age (any month up to age 70), you can increase your benefit by accumulating Delayed Retirement Credits. If your full retirement age is 66 and you wait until age 70, your benefit will be 132% of your full retirement age benefit.
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Even if you plan to continue working, you may still be able to receive some benefits. If you are under full retirement age and you earn over a certain amount, we will deduct the excess earnings from your benefits.
Starting with the month you reach full retirement age, you may receive your benefits with no limit on your earnings.
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If you have family members who qualify for benefits now, a delay means you would lose some of the benefits they might have received. However, delaying benefits also increases the maximum monthly survivors benefit your spouse may receive.
For a more detailed explanation, please read Other Things To Consider.
Learn More About the Medicare Prescription Drug Program and/or File for Extra Help With Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs
If you want to learn more about the Medicare Prescription Drug Program and/or file for the extra help related to that program, you may
- visit our website at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/medicare/prescriptionhelp/; or
- call us at
1-800-772-1213 (TTY1-800-325-0778).
For a list of Medicare prescription drug providers in your area, visit http://www.medicare.gov or contact the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services