Turning 65

Your Initial Enrollment Period is seven months long — and it only comes once. Here's exactly when to act and what to decide.

Senior man celebrating a milestone birthday with cupcakes and candles

The window

Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)

Your IEP spans seven months: the three months before your 65th birthday month, your birthday month itself, and the three months after.

Months 1–3: Enroll early and coverage can start the month you turn 65.
Birthday month: Still on time, but coverage start may be delayed slightly.
Months 5–7: Still within your window, but with longer coverage delays and less time to compare plans.

Miss the window entirely without other qualifying coverage, and you could face a late-enrollment penalty added to your Part B premium for as long as you have Medicare.

Do this in order

Your turning-65 checklist

Check your current coverage.

If you or a spouse have creditable employer coverage, you may be able to delay Part B without penalty. If not, plan to enroll during your IEP.

Enroll in Parts A and B.

Sign up through Social Security — some people are enrolled automatically if already receiving Social Security benefits, others must apply.

Decide: Original Medicare + Supplement, or Medicare Advantage?

This is the biggest decision of the process. We'll walk through your doctors, medications, and budget to compare real options side by side.

Add a Part D prescription drug plan (if needed).

Even if you take few medications now, enrolling on time avoids a late penalty later.

Consider dental and vision.

Since Original Medicare doesn't include routine dental or vision care, decide whether a standalone plan or an Advantage plan with built-in coverage makes sense.

Still working past 65?

If your employer coverage is creditable, you may be able to delay Part B and Part D enrollment without a penalty until that coverage ends.

Already on Social Security?

You'll likely be enrolled in Parts A and B automatically, with your Medicare card arriving a few months before your birthday.

Missed your window?

A General Enrollment Period runs January–March each year, though coverage gaps and penalties may apply. Let's talk through your specific timeline.