Talking to the Local SS office * * is usually better! Surveys report some individuals received incorrect information when calling SS's main 800 number!
Tell the Local office you want to talk to a Retirement person!
Note: New London's SS office is not currently scheduling in-person appointments but will set a time for a telephone appointment.
A back-and-forth conversation with a local SS Retirement person about signing up at 65 has many advantages. Ask about:
● Completing your application for Part B and activating Part A.
● The options SS has to pay your share of Part B monthly cost?
Background on paying your share of Part B costs:
● The base monthly cost for Part B is $164.90 in 2023. This amount is 25% of MediCare Part B's overall costs across the US divided by the number of individuals covered by Part B.
● The $164.90 will, however, be higher if the AGI on a Single filer's IRS 1040 from two years ago was above 97k or 194k for a Joint.
Note: The regulations, that established charging higher income individuals more of Part B's overall cost, call it an "income-related monthly adjustment amount." Page two on this link shows the five income-based levels above the 97k base for 2023. Each level adds an additional amount to $164.90 each month!
* * FYI: You can sign up for MediCare using this SS online option. — This SS page; is:
● Somewhat complicated, so I recommend being careful.
● Not recommended when leaving an employer plan after 65!
Call John [ Google voice (860) 451-9793] if any questions.
A key point: When an individual's application is complete, MediCare calls them "entitled" [not enrolled ] Their coverage * will start the first day of their eligible month and include:
● Part A — covers inpatient care in a hospital.
● Part B — covers the many kinds of outpatient services.
Note: * Medicare only covers treatment or services they deem medically necessary.
When approved for Part A & B, individuals are mailed an ID card with Entitled above the date their Part A & B medical coverage started!
The card also has what is called a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier. It's a unique number for each individual with:
● 11 upper-case letters & numbers. There are four characters — then three more — then four more.
● To avoid confusion between certain numbers and letters such as "0" and "O," the MBI does not use letters S, L, O, I, B, and Z.
The ID card format is explained, and there is a picture of the card on this page.
When people reach 65, they may start to think about — when to begin receiving Social Security benefits. This link has details on when individuals become fully eligible!
Social Security has additional information about the value of waiting to sign up on this page, which may be helpful.