OFFICIAL 2026 EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE BY WALTER JOHNSON, LICENSED INSURANCE AGENT (CA #0J15814).
Should I Take Medicare at 65 If I’m Still Working?
When to enroll, when you can delay, and how to avoid costly mistakes
Written by Walter Johnson, Licensed Insurance Agent
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a solicitation for insurance
Should you take Medicare at 65 if you’re still working? Learn when you can delay enrollment, when you should enroll, and how to avoid penalties.
Should You Take Medicare at 65 If You’re Still Working?
It depends on your situation.
If you’re still working at age 65, you may not need to enroll in Medicare right away—but in some cases, you absolutely should.
The right choice depends on:
Your employer’s size
Your health coverage
Your future plans
👉 Start here: Medicare and Employer Insurance
When You May NOT Need Medicare at 65
You may be able to delay Medicare Part B if:
You are still working
You have employer-sponsored health insurance
Your coverage is considered creditable
In these cases:
Your employer plan usually pays first
Medicare can be delayed without penalties
👉 Learn more: Do You Need Medicare If You’re Still Working?
When You SHOULD Enroll in Medicare at 65
You should strongly consider enrolling if:
Your employer has fewer than 20 employees
Your coverage is limited or expensive
You plan to retire soon
You want Medicare as your primary coverage
If you don’t enroll when required, you could face:
Late enrollment penalties
Coverage gaps
Higher long-term costs
👉 Learn more: What Happens If You Miss Medicare Enrollment
How Employer Size Affects Your Decision
This is one of the most important rules:
If your employer has 20 or more employees:
Employer insurance pays first
Medicare is secondary
You may be able to delay Part B
If your employer has fewer than 20 employees:
Medicare becomes primary
Employer insurance is secondary
You typically need to enroll at 65
👉 Learn more: Medicare and Employer Insurance
What About Medicare Part A?
Many people enroll in Medicare Part A even if they’re still working.
This is because:
Part A is often premium-free
It can provide additional hospital coverage
However:
Enrolling in Part A may affect your ability to contribute to an HSA
👉 Learn more: Can You Contribute to an HSA After Enrolling in Medicare?
Risks of Delaying Medicare
If you delay Medicare without qualifying coverage, you may face:
Late enrollment penalties
Delayed coverage
Limited enrollment windows
These penalties can be permanent, especially for Part B.
👉 Learn more: Medicare Late Enrollment Penalty Explained
When Delaying Medicare Makes Sense
Delaying may be a good option if:
You have strong employer coverage
Your employer pays a large portion of premiums
You want to keep contributing to an HSA
You plan to continue working for several years
How to Decide What’s Right for You
Before deciding, consider:
Your employer size
Your monthly premiums
Your out-of-pocket costs
Your retirement timeline
Your healthcare needs
Every situation is different—what works for one person may not work for another.
Why This Matters
Making the wrong decision can lead to:
Higher healthcare costs
Permanent penalties
Gaps in coverage
Understanding your options helps you:
Avoid costly mistakes
Choose the right coverage
Plan confidently for retirement
Next Step
Now that you understand when to take Medicare at 65, the next step is reviewing your enrollment timing.
👉 Continue to: When to Enroll in Medicare
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