Hello,
I am suspending my benefits until I am 68.5 my wife turns 66 and then she will take spousal benefits for 4 years. She will sign up for Medicare at 65 and they will bill her. When she turns 66 and gets spousal benefits should her Medicare premium then be deducted from her spousal payment each month or continue to pay them directly. I know you are not held harmless if you pay directly, but is there a good reason to pay directly after age 66 on spousal. Thanks so much

Hi,

I assume that your wife was born prior to January 2 1954, or else she won't be able to restrict her application to just spousal benefits only at age 66 (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/deemedfaq.html). Also, although the scenario you outline could be your best strategy, you and your wife should strongly consider using the maximization software available on this website to be sure that you don't have better options available.

To answer your question, though, when your wife starts drawing spousal benefits her Medicare premiums will automatically start being withheld from her benefits. There would likely be no good reason to pay the premiums directly instead, but it isn't a permissible option anyway.

Best, Jerry