I'm using your strategy to increase our benefits, but in the meanwhile found a sorta gotcha involving our Medicare payments. While we're waiting for my wife to turn 66 to file for her FRA benefit (her's is much less than mine and I will at that time file for spousal and wait until I'm 70 for my benefit and then change her's to spousal) our Medicare Premium has increased from $121.80 to $134.00 because we do not currently receive Social Security benefits to have the premiums deducted from. As soon as she begins benefits (and thus my spousal) we will lock in the rate at $134.00.

I am a US citizen retired in Greece and I have a monthly payment of $189.00/month for my Medicare Part B.
Should I terminate my Part B option and purchase instead a health plant from a local provider?

Isn't the Basic Medicare plan to cover my expenses in case that I have to fly over for a major medical condition?

thanks

Hi,

I retired on disability pension from the miami police due to a line of duty injury. My pension is tax free and subject to WEP. I am 65 yrs old and am having difficulty getting Medicare part a because i do not have 40 SSI quarters. Uninsured medicare part A is the only offer so far. Does WEP cover me for a waiver as it would take $$ away if i had 40 quarters.
HELP PLS

Hi,

Thank you for your reply to my question of 29 Nov 2016, regarding suspending social security at fra in order to recieve drc. My understanding (from other's questions and your answers) is that I will need to send 3 months of Medicare premiums in. That I will be held harmless for the 2017 Medicare premium increase to $134.00, with my 2017 premium being the $104.90 plus the .3 percent cola based on my 2016 diability benefit amount. That Medicare is unlikely to accept an amount that is less than the full amount due.

Larry,

I'm 65.5 years old, still working and covered by my company's health care plan. Some co workers told me that I was foolish not to apply for Medicare Part A. Is it too late? Can I enroll during open enrollment (now) without penalty or should I wait until I leave work (years from now) to apply?

Hi,

I am 71, still working full time and covered under a large group plan. I began collection Social Security at age 70 but put off enrolling in Medicare. However, I decided to sign up for Medicare Part B, coverage to be effective 12/1/16. Since I signed up in 2016 (just barely) will I be included in the hold harmless COLA to be effective 1/1/17? I will have my Part B premium withheld from my social security payment in December, 2016. Everything I've read states those having Part B premium withheld from their social security payment will be included in the hold harmless agreement.

Hi Larry
I turned 66 and retired, this yea,r and had to apply for medicare, I am living on 30,000 and year and wondering how it helps to try not to take social security when medicare is going up again this year? The hold harmless rule applies to those who are on social security now, but it causes chaos to seniors who are not taking it yet. Aren't we really losing money?

Hi,

I am currently 67 and collecting a spousal social security benefit of $857 per month. My Medicare premium of $104.90 is deducted directly from the check. The hold harmless provision will insure that my Social Security check does no decrease for the year 2017. My question is - when I change from spousal to colllecting on my own work history, which will increase my check substantially, will my medicare premium be affected by that increased social security check and if so how will it be calculated.

My question yesterday was poorly worded, and it was only from your excellent response, I realized what it should have been. The potential problem with Medicare and spousal benefits or regular benefits in 2016, appears to potentially be if my wife predeceases me, then my income plus (85%) of my social security would be greater than $85k. Would there be a save harmless clause to protect me from increased Medicare costs. Because of my former profession, I receive my medicare costs from the state.

Larry,

My wife wants to collect spousal benefits next year at age 66 while deferring her own SS benefits until age 70. Will she be part of the 70 percent of folks protected from higher Medicare part B premium increase for 2017 or will she fall in the other 30 percent unprotected from part B Medicare increases? She is only filing for spousal benefits in 2017 and the 2017 Cola will be 0.3 percent. I am referring to the held harmless provision.

Thank you

Steven

Hi Steven,