If you are not receiving your Social Security benefits when you turn 65, you will need to apply for Medicare benefits three months before you turn 65. If you stop working and start receiving retirement benefits before age 65, you are automatically enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) when you turn 65. If you delay your benefits until after full retirement age, you will be eligible for delayed retirement credits that would increase your benefit. We calculate your benefits based on your highest 35 years of earnings, and if you stop working before you have attained 35 years of earnings or you have years with low earnings, this will affect your benefit calculation. Also, your benefits will not increase because of additional earnings.

If you make the decision to stop working and start receiving retirement benefits before your full retirement age, your benefits are reduced a fraction of a percent for each month before your full retirement age. You can stop working and start receiving your retirement benefits To learn more, read our Medicare publication. If you or your spouse are still working and covered under an employer-provided group health plan, talk to the personnel office before signing up for Medicare Part B. If you start receiving retirement benefits before age 65, you are automatically enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) when you turn 65.

Once you reach full retirement age, your earnings do not affect your benefit amount. If you also continue to work, you will be able to receive your full retirement benefits and any increase resulting from your additional earnings when we recalculate your benefits. If you delay filing for your benefits until after full retirement age, you will be eligible for delayed retirement credits that would increase your monthly benefit. We will send you a letter that explains any increase in your benefit amount. However your benefits will be reduced if you earn more than the yearly earnings limits.Īfter you reach your full retirement age, we will recalculate your benefit amount to give you credit for any months you did not receive a benefit because of your earnings. You can get Social Security retirement benefits and work at the same time before your full retirement age.

If you start your benefits before your full retirement age, your benefits are reduced a fraction of a percent for each month before your full retirement age. You can continue working and start receiving your retirement benefits Find out more by reading our fact sheet When to Start Receiving Retirement Benefits.Ī. If you are or were married, there are even more details to consider.

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