This question concerns survivor benefits. If a retiree claiming retirement benefits at the full retirement age dies, my understanding is the survivor is entitled to 100% of the FRA amount of the decease at the survivor's FRA. My question concerns Medicare, parts A and B. Is the survivor entitled to Medicare benefits at age 65 even though the survivor never worked under SSA or Medicare? Is the Medicare entitlement by nature of being a survivor?

Hi,

Yes, a person who is potentially eligible for Social Security benefits as a surviving spouse could enroll in Medicare at age 65 without also filing for survivor benefits.

Anyone who is a U.S. citizen or a non U.S. citizen who has been legally admitted to the U.S. for permanent residency and has resided here for at least 5 years can enroll in Parts A & B of Medicare at age 65. However, only people who have worked and paid into Social Security long enough to be insured, or a qualified spouse or surviving spouse (including divorced spouses) of an insured worker, can receive Part A (inpatient hospital) Medicare coverage without having to pay a monthly premium. Everyone must pay a monthly premium for Part B coverage.

People aren't required to apply for monthly Social Security benefits as a condition for Medicare eligibility. Therefore, a person who is potentially eligible for benefits as a surviving spouse could file for Medicare only at age 65 while waiting until full retirement age in order to receive an unreduced benefit rate. And even if the surviving spouse has no Social Security work credits themselves, they could still receive premium free Part A coverage based on their deceased spouse's insured status.

Best, Jerry