Ask Larry

Can I Get SS Or Medicare/Medicaid From My Husband's SS Contributions?

can I get SS and or medicare/medicade benefits from my husband"s SS contributions. He is 54 and working. I am 70 and retired without enough SS credits

Hi. Your husband would have to be drawing his Social Security retirement or disability benefits in order for you to be able to get Social Security spousal benefits. You could qualify for premium-free Part A of Medicare when your husband turns age 62, though, even if he's not yet collecting his benefits.

Regardless of a person's marital status, any U.S. citizen and some permanent resident aliens can get Medicare once they reach age 65 even if they aren't insured for Social Security benefits. However, in that case they must pay a monthly premium for both Parts A & B of Medicare. Even people who are insured for Social Security benefits must pay a premium for Part B of Medicare, but Part A is premium free for people who are insured.

Since you're already over age 65, unless you have health insurance coverage through your husband's employment you could probably only enroll in either Parts A & B of Medicare during a general enrollment period (GEP). GEPs occur each year from January through March, and if you enroll in a GEP your Medicare coverage starts on July 1st of the year in which you enroll.

Medicaid is a needs based program that's not administered by Social Security. You can learn more about Medicaid eligibility rules on their website: https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/index.html.

Best, Jerry

Category: 
Posted: 
Oct 19 2021 - 5:01pm
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