When you apply for Medicare A and B at age 65 and do not currently get a SSA benefit, does the SSA deduct the part B Medicare premium from your OPM check if you get retirement benefits from federal employment? Is this automatic, or do I have to instruct them to deduct the Medicare premiums monthly from OPM retirement?

Hi,

When a civil service annuitant who is not receiving Social Security benefits files for Medicare, withholding Medicare premiums from the person's civil service annuity is the preferred method of collecting the premiums. However, you may need to inform Social Security of your civil service annuity number in order to enable them to coordinate the premium withholding with OPM.

Best, Jerry