You’ve worked hard. You’ve got great benefits. So do you really need to sign up for Medicare right now?

Let’s clear the confusion once and for all—and make sure you don’t get stuck with penalties or gaps in coverage down the road.

The Problem

You’re turning 65 but still working (or your spouse is), and now you’re getting bombarded with mail, calls, and advice about Medicare.

Some say, “You have to enroll to avoid penalties!”
Others say, “You’re fine to wait.”
But which is it?

One wrong move could leave you with surprise bills—or permanent late enrollment penalties.

The Guide

At Mere, we’ve helped thousands of people in your shoes navigate this exact crossroad. We know how confusing it can be—and how to make it clear.

We're here to simplify Medicare and help you make the right decision for your unique situation.

The Plan

Here’s a quick roadmap to guide your next step:

✅ Step 1: Find out if your current coverage is “creditable”

If you (or your spouse) are actively working and have employer coverage through a company with 20+ employees, you may be able to delay Medicare Part B and D without penalty.

Smaller employer (fewer than 20 employees)? Medicare becomes primary, and you may need to enroll in Part B now to avoid coverage gaps.

✅ Step 2: Decide if Medicare Part A makes sense

Most people don’t pay a premium for Part A (hospital insurance), so you can often enroll in it even while keeping employer coverage—unless you’re contributing to an HSA (see below).

Contributing to a Health Savings Account (HSA)? You’ll want to delay all parts of Medicare, including Part A, or risk tax penalties.

✅ Step 3: Know your SEP rights

When your employer coverage ends, you’ll qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). That gives you 8 months to sign up for Part B and 63 days to enroll in Part D (drug coverage) without penalty.

Common Mistakes We Help People Avoid

• Accidentally triggering a penalty by missing the Part B enrollment window

• Enrolling in Medicare and staying on employer coverage unnecessarily (and paying double)

• Losing HSA tax advantages by signing up for Part A too early

• Not having drug coverage that’s considered “creditable,” leading to future Part D penalties

A Quick Story

Mark from Jacksonville called our office unsure what to do—he was still working full-time at age 67 and had great insurance through his job.

We reviewed his plan, verified it was creditable, and helped him delay Part B and D without penalties. Then, when he retired 2 years later, we walked him through the SEP process and got him set up with full Medicare coverage on time and penalty-free.

The Success You Want

By getting guidance now, you can:

• Avoid lifelong Medicare penalties

• Maximize your employer benefits

• Protect your future health coverage

• Know exactly what to do when you’re ready to retire

📞 Next Step: Talk to a Local Licensed Agent

Don’t make this decision alone—or worse, make a mistake that costs you later.
Let our team help you look at your options, for free.

➡️ Call our office or fill out our quick Medicare prep form at www.merebenefits.com/medicare
We'll help you walk into Medicare with confidence—whenever the timing is right for you.

#simplyforyourbenefit Serving Jacksonville, Orange Park, St. Augustine and Northeast Florida seniors since 2010