Hello, Toni: I’m turning 65 and not planning to retire until I’m 70. I am a federal employee working full-time as an agent for the IRS. I’m receiving conflicting information that is confusing me.
Friends who read your Toni Says Medicare articles are advising me to enroll in Medicare Parts A and B when I retire to keep from receiving the “famous” Part B penalty. My federal co-workers say that I am protected because I am a government employee and do not have to enroll in Medicare at all. Please explain the rules regarding enrolling in Medicare when you are a federal employee.
I look forward to what you have to say. Thanks, Toni. — Sheldon from Tampa, Fla.
Hi, Sheldon: Your friends, not your co-workers, are correct! You should enroll in Medicare Parts A and B when you retire. The rules regarding when and how to enroll in Medicare for America are the same Medicare enrollment rules for federal employees. This change for federal employees having to enroll in both Medicare Parts A and B happened a few years ago.
Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) must pay first when an active employee has a health need. Once a federal employee has retired, which is known as an annuitant, and is enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B with a FEHB retiree plan, then Medicare is primary coverage and the FEHB is secondary coverage. Employees with FEHB coverage and who continue working for federal service past age 65 do not have to enroll in Medicare Part B when they turn 65.
As long as they.
