At What Age Can You Draw Medicare

Tin can You Receive Medicare at Age 62 or Younger?

Feb 15, 2022
Reviewed by John Krahnert

In some cases, y'all may be able to qualify for Medicare at age 62. Learn more than about Medicare eligibility before age 65 and what information technology means for you.

In many cases yous cannot go Medicare at age 62 or younger. However, there are a few exceptions, such equally if you having a qualifying inability or Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS) or end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Y'all typically must be at least 65 years old to receive Medicare, even if you are receiving Social Security retirement benefits. There are some exceptions to this rule, however.

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Reaching historic period 62 can affect your spouse'due south Medicare premiums

Although reaching age 62 does not qualify you lot for Medicare, it can comport some significance for your spouse if they receive Medicare benefits.

When ane spouse in a couple turns 62 years old, the other spouse who is at least 65 years old may now qualify for premium-costless Medicare Office A if they oasis't nonetheless qualified based on their ain work history.

For example, Gerald is 65 years old, just he doesn't qualify for premium-free Part A considering he did not work the minimum number of years required for eligibility.
He tin still receive Medicare Part A, but he volition have to pay a monthly premium for it. In 2022, the Medicare Role A premium tin be as high every bit $458 per calendar month.
Let's say Gerald's wife, Jessica, reaches age 62 and has worked for the required number of years to qualify for premium-gratis Part A one time she turns 65.
Because Jessica is now 62 years old and has met the working requirement, Gerald may at present receive premium-free Part A.

In the above example, Jessica has not go eligible for Medicare by turning 62. Her husband Gerald, however, is at present eligible to receive his Medicare Part A benefits without paying a monthly premium any longer.

Medicare eligibility at age 65

You must typically meet two requirements to receive Medicare benefits:

You are at to the lowest degree 65 years old
You are a U.S. citizen or a legal resident for at least v years

In order to receive premium-free Part A of Medicare, you must meet both of the above requirements and qualify for total Social Security or Railroad Retirement Lath benefits, which requires working and paying Social Security taxes for at least ten total years (40 quarters).

Learn more virtually Medicare eligibility at and before age 65 by referring to this helpful chart and reading more than information below.

Medicare eligibility chart - by age

Medicare Eligibility by Historic period
Age	Eligibility for Medicare	How age affects Medicare coverage	Other benefit eligibility
65	- Typically eligible for Medicare if you're a U.S. citizen or legal resident for at to the lowest degree v years.	- If you won't exist automatically enrolled when y'all plow 65, your Initial Enrollment Period begins 3 months before your 65th birthday.	-If you were built-in between 1943 and 1954, your full Social Security retirement age is 66. Your Social Security retirement benefits will exist reduced to 93.three% if you have them at age 65.
62	- Non typically eligible for Medicare, unless you receive SSA or RRB disability benefits or have ALS or ESRD.	- If your spouse pays a premium for Part A, they may qualify for premium-gratis Office A once y'all turn 62 if yous worked and paid Medicare taxes for at to the lowest degree 10 full years.	-If yous accept Social Security retirement benefits at age 62, your retirement do good could be reduced by as much as xxx% if you were born in 1960 or later.
Under age 62	- Not typically eligible for Medicare, unless you lot receive SSA or RRB disability benefits or take ALS or ESRD.	- Historic period doesn't affect your Medicare coverage if you qualify before age 65 for one of the reasons listed. You lot may also authorize for a Medicare Special Needs Programme.	- You won't authorize for Social Security retirement benefits before age 62 unless you are disabled or bullheaded and have enough work credits, or if your spouse qualifies.

Medicare eligibility for people nether 62

At that place are a few exceptions for Medicare age limits that can allow people younger than 65 and under age 62 to enroll in Medicare.

If you have ALS (Lou Gehrig'south affliction), you are immediately eligible for Medicare regardless of your age equally shortly as your Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board inability benefits begin.
You lot may also qualify for Medicare if y'all take kidney failure that requires dialysis or a kidney transplant, which is known equally end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
You may also authorize for Medicare at age 62 or any historic period before 65 if you lot receive disability benefits from either Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board for at least 24 months.

If you qualify for Medicare under the historic period of 65 because of a disability, you might besides authorize for a Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan.

Tin a 62 year erstwhile go Medicaid?

Aye. Medicaid qualification is based on income, not age. While Medicaid eligibility differs from one state to another, it is typically available to people of lower incomes and resources including pregnant women, the disabled, the elderly and children.

Learn more than about the deviation betwixt Medicare and Medicaid.

Get answers to your Medicare questions and enroll in a program

If yous have further questions nigh Medicare eligibility, contact a licensed insurance agent today. A licensed agent tin help answer your questions and help you compare Medicare Advantage plans (Medicare Part C) that are available where you live.

Find a $0 premium Medicare Advantage programme today.

Speak with a licensed insurance agent

1-800-557-6059 | TTY 711, 24/7

Christian

About the author

Christian Worstell is a licensed insurance agent and a Senior Staff Author for MedicareAdvantage.com. He is passionate about helping people navigate the complexities of Medicare and understand their coverage options.

His work has been featured in outlets such as Vocalization, MSN, and The Washington Post, and he is a frequent contributor to health care and finance blogs.

Christian is a graduate of Shippensburg Academy with a available's degree in journalism. He currently lives in Raleigh, NC.

Where you lot've seen coverage of Christian's research and reports: