Medicare

I was receiving social security benefits, but then graduated from nursing school at 63, December 2017. I called social security, and voluntarily suspended my benefits unlike I've read you can do. I explained how much I was making and they acted like I was going to have to pay back what I collected in 2018. I never heard back. I did apply for withdrawing my benefits but couldn't afford to pay back the benefits I had received. I plan to work until at least 70-73 years old. I will be eligible for Medicare this year but receive medical benefits through my job.

I plan on taking survivor SS at age 60 and then go on Medicare at age 65. At age 70 I plan on taking my SS. My SS will be substantially higher than the survivor, about 2- 3x's in future dollars. My question is, when I switch over will the premiums for Medicare rise substantially as well? I don't think the Hold Harmless law will apply since my SS will be higher so any Medicare premium increase will not cause my SS to decrease, at least for the first year. I am worried that the premium will jump significantly and then stay there forever and change with COLA's.

In a previous article you published you state that with file and suspend strategy if you pay for Medicare B premium directly from SS your benefit when you ask for it in the future will be no larger than when you suspended its receipt. As you state this is a really nasty Gotcha.

My question is whether this is also true for a Restricted application?

If so can this be reset if one started this way and starts paying for Medicare B independently via check?

Thank you

Hi,

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,

In May, 2018 I filed a restricted application for a SS spousal benefit. It was retroactive to November 2017, my 66th birth month. Medicare Part A was also retroactive to November 2017. I specifically declined Part B and have documentation of that. I currently have employer health coverage. What I unfortunately did not notice in later communications was that I had been enrolled in Part B in error beginning July 2018. When I received my Medicare card, I tucked it in a file folder, anticipating that I would not be using it and did not notice that Part B was included

The book "Get What's Yours" says that if I file for my own social security retirement benefit (even early at age 62), then I am automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and can no longer contribute to my individual HSA. However, in the Q&A it says "You would automatically be enrolled in Part A of Medicare effective 6 months prior to the month you file your application for social security benefits, but no earlier than the month you reach age 65". I plan to file for my retirement benefit at age 62 and have my own retiree medical benefits with an HSA.

My 22 year-old dependent (DAC) son receives SSI and Medicaid. When I reached my FRA, I filed and suspended my benefits (after the new rules went into affect in 2016). When I start to receive my SS, will the time from suspending to receiving benefits count toward the 24 month waiting period for a dependent to qualify for Medicare?

Thank you.

Hi,

Does filing a restricted application on my spouse's benefits (she will be 70, I will be 68) enroll me in Medicare Part A or B? I want to keep working til I'm 70 and file for full benefits then; my employer has a group health plan that I prefer over Medicare.

thank you

Hi,

I withdrew my application for social security last November stage 65 because I earned too much.I was told that I could reapply at age 66. I received notification in July 2018 that they accepted my withdrawal.I received a new Medicare part a card the same day stating my coverage stated Jan 1,2018.. I was recently hospitalised in August Medicare denied my claim .I called them they had no record from the hospital and advised me to contact Social Security after 3 phone calls and 5 hours of waiting Ihung up what should I do.

Hi,

I was paid a bonus last year that put me over the 85k base for Medicare. Does SS consider that one time bonus as part of my income to raise my Medicare to over 300.00 a month?

Hi,