webist

I've been collecting a pension and working full time since I was 39 years old.

deraltekluge

Not according to the Social Security site...

There are many ways to qualify for Medicare. There are two parts of Medicare, each of which has its own requirements:

Hospital Insurance (also known as Part A)

If You Are 65 or Older

Most people 65 or older are eligible for Medicare hospital insurance (Part A) based on their own—or their spouse's— employment. You are eligible at 65 if you:

* receive Social Security or railroad retirement benefits;

* are not getting Social Security or railroad retirement benefits, but you have worked long enough to be eligible for them;

* would be entitled to Social Security benefits based on your spouse's (or divorced spouse's) work record, and that spouse is at least 62 (your spouse does not have to apply for benefits in order for you to be eligible based on your spouse's work) ;or

* worked long enough in a federal, state, or local government job to be insured for Medicare.

Medicare Medical Insurance (also known as Part B)

Almost anyone who is 65 or older or who is under 65 but eligible for hospital insurance can enroll for Medicare medical insurance by paying a monthly premium. Aged people don't need any Social Security or government work credits for this part of Medicare.

DnvrFox

That is not what I was told, and I did ask a couple of folks at SS.

Well, I guess I was told wrong. Right from the horses mouth.

Too late now.

deraltekluge

I can't say from personal experience, because I chose to start Social Security early, at age 62, and Medicare started automatically at 65 (actually a couple of weeks early...it started on the first of the month in which I turned 65).

Another area of the Social Security site says...

If you are not already getting benefits when you turn 65, you should call or visit a Social Security office 3 months prior to your birthday so we can help you decide if you should sign up for Medicare. You should do this even if you plan to continue working or do not think you have enough work credit under Social Security, because Medicare enrollment period rules are very strict. If you would like to file for Medicare only, you can apply by calling 1-800-772-1213. Our representatives there can make an appointment for you at any convenient Social Security office.

Terrierman

Lovey and I are both 54. Health care costs are what keeps us from retiring (or at least semi-retiring) now. We have two businesses that we own (she has two Curves franchises, plus we own a water and sewer utility company with about 500 customers) that produce a solid inflation proof monthly income. I work for the local electric cooperative full time managing an environmental group. We have a net worth somewhere between two and three million. But I've had several health problems over the years (two back surgeries and ducked the third for now, degenerative disks and other not so good things back there, both knees have been done and are in very bad shape and will likely be replaced before too long, high cholesterol, a history of ulcers, and a history of colon polyps) It's not so much the cost of health insurance, it's the fact that if I'm not part of a group, I cannot get health insurance at any cost. Any serious health problems would suck down our assets to the point that comfortable long term retirement would be at risk. I'm not willing to take that chance so barring a change in the way our country manages the health care system, I'll be there at work until at least 62, and possibly 65. I wish there were a way to buy into medicare early, I would be retired from the co-op in a heartbeat.

sykerocker 

You forgot the choice, "Because of the woman I married, I have no hopes of ever retiring, and will go to my grave slaving away for one more mortgage payment".