Medicare signup past 65

[Clemencia53]

Originally Posted by happyexpat

I'm 68 and retired in Uruguay. I'm planning to return to the US and sign up for Medicare this year. I would like to hear from anyone who has done this. Specifically, will I face a penalty for not signing up at 65? I've gone on the Medicare.gov and SS.gov websites and it still isn't clear to me. Thank you.

yes you will pay a penalty. My other half is paying 150 or so extra a month. And he still has his government health care - GS employee. You pay a 10% penalty for every year after 65 - so he is paying 50% more. He didn't sign up until 70. Some kind of phobia to being seen as "old" -

But you can get a waiver. Saw an article about it not too long ago. Look it up.

He is looking into it.

[Jomaark]

Any update? Did you end up having to pay a penalty? And find any information about a waiver.

[reed303]

Originally Posted by Jomaark

Any update? Did you end up having to pay a penalty? And find any information about a waiver.

There is some info here for returning ex-pats:

https://www.medicare.gov/manage-your...outside-the-us

In part is says:

"You're first eligible to enroll in Part B the month you return to the U.S. to establish your new residence. You won't have to pay a late enrollment penalty if you enroll in Part B within 3 months of when you first return to the U.S."

If still outside the US, you should contact a Federal Benefits Unit at the nearest US Embassy or Consulate for assistance.

See list here:
https://www.ssa.gov/foreign/foreign.htm