Late Enrollment for Medicare Part B

Q. When I retired at age 65, I didn’t take Medicare Part B. As a result, I’m being penalized for late enrollment and must pay higher premiums. Do I have any recourse?

A. Generally, you must pay the penalty, which amounts to an extra 10 percent of the Part B premium for each full year you delayed after retirement. But if you are covered under your spouse’s employer insurance, you can delay enrolling in Part B without penalty until he/she retires.

Also, if your state pays your Part B premiums under a low-income program, you will not pay a penalty.

Source: Jean Setzfand, AARP