By Andrew L Hibbard 

@WNYMrMedicare

Originally Posted: 03 APR 2023

Updated & Revised:

With the Federal Government continually changing their arbitrary and assigned “full-retirement” age, many WNY’ers nearing age 65 and ready to retire have concerns and confusion around Medicare and Social Security. Understandable. Trying to get accurate answers can be a challenging chore. 

In short, while delaying your Social Security income benefits may result in higher monthly payments, signing up late for your Medicare insurance benefits may trigger costly penalties you’ll pay for life.

So, how do you know what’s the best thing you should do?

Well, to quickly clarify some of the confusion, Social Security and Medicare are drastically different. Two totally separate government programs, each with different eligibility criteria and circumstances.

You are required to make two different decisions. When do you want your Social Security benefits to begin? And when do you want your Medicare benefits to begin?

To answer your original question clearly and correctly…

Can You Sign Up For Medicare Without Signing Up For Social Security Living In WNY?

YES.

If you are like the other smart folks in WNY asking for my advice, you're a trailing-edge Baby Boomer (born between 1956 and 1964), and you’ll likely keep working past age 65 until you reach your “full-retirement” age. 

It may either be by choice ‘cause you love your job, or by circumstance ‘cause you need the money.  Either way, the first decision decided on is you will wait to collect your Social Security income benefit and willingly work a bit longer before quietly quitting when the time is right.

The second, and separate decision to decide, is what to do with Medicare, and why?

And I believe making your move to Medicare is a most important decision than Social Security. It is one that deserves special attention. Maybe even more attention than you think to give it to properly protect your financial future.

Good news, bad news. There is no cookie-cutter answer here. 

I truthfully don’t really know what you should do with Medicare until we get together, sit down, you share your situation, and we talk things out.

What I do know is from feedback from real people in WNY, and the real lack of reliable Medicare resources available around town.

It makes who you search, seek and speak to more important than ever, to give you clear, concise and credible advice and answers to all your Medicare questions.

It’s why I designed and developed the free Medicare SmartStart Program, to help folks just like you, plot and plan what makes the most sense to do with Medicare and why, and when to do it, and how to get it all done --- done right --- and done on time (and even enjoy it all done-for-you without costing you a dime!) 

**DISCLAIMER** For many, if not most in WNY, signing up for Medicare does actually make more financial sense at 65, even if you’ll keep working and delay Social Security until later in life. 

You will have less conflict, concern, and coordination of things in the future when you do decide you’re ready to retire, giving you more flexibility and freedom because you already have your health insurance set up outside of the company constraints.

Ok, there’s a lot to deal with, right? I get it.

And as an active adult in WNY, who’s always on the run, you need a smart solution to cut through all the clutter. 

If you want some light shed on your situation, your hand held the whole way, and making your move to Medicare simpler, easier, seemingly stress-free and almost effortless, I can do just that. Here's how...

NEARING AGE 65 AND AREN'T SURE WHERE TO START?

**If you are TURNING 65 IN 6-12 MONTHS, my #1 Amazon best-selling guidebook, "Starting Medicare Smartly" will give you a great overview of everything you need to know, before you need to know it. Instead of buying on Amazon for $12.99, click HERE now and let me send you a completely free copy, all at my expense.

**If you are TURNING 65 IN 4-6 MONTHS, you should be getting ready to enroll and your paperwork prepared to either sign up at 65, or suspend --- you can't do nothing. If you don't have the time or desire to deal with doing any of the dirty work with Medicare yourself, OR, you feel frustrated, confused and kind of clueless about figuring out the fine print with Medicare, you can rely on my free Medicare SmartStart Program and let me take away all your stress of trying to tackle anything on your own. It's how I help people just like you. Weekly availability is limited to the first 10 folks, and maximum 40 per month. Don't delay. Click HERE now to learn more about my nationally recognized program, and how you can put it to work for you --- for free.

**If you are TURNING 65 IN 1-4 MONTHS, you are cutting it close to your Medicare late penalty period. If you have NOT yet filled out and filed your Medicare forms, you are behind and against the clock. It is URGENT we get together as soon as possible so I can do all I can, before it's too late, to help you avoid paying a costly late penalty for life. Click HERE now to immediately schedule an emergency Medicare SmartStart Strategy Session with me...if there are any still available.

HAVE MORE MEDICARE QUESTIONS?

Read the most common questions folks in WNY ask when they aren’t sure how to get started with Medicare. Click HERE to see the complete Medicare SmartStart Answers article archive.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Andrew L Hibbard is a prominent name when mentioning Medicare in WNY, but one you may have never heard of. Working behind-the-scenes, he is a best-selling author, expert advisor and successful agency owner. Focused on educating first, Andrew prides himself on being considered “the only advocate in WNY fighting for better and more reliable Medicare resources, free from insurance company conflict of interests.”

To take away the stress of trying to tackle Medicare alone and feeling forced to figure it all out by yourself --- Andrew created the WNY Medicare SmartStart Program; a free, step-by-step plan, that holds you by the hand to sign up and start Medicare smartly. (More than 850+ people have gone through the program and call it “the lazy way to get Medicare done for you without costing you a dime”).

**SPECIAL FREE GIFT** If you want to see how hundreds of WNY'ers each year are doing things different with Medicare, and getting it all done in record time, you can request a special "Medicare SmartStarter Info Kit” at no-cost to you, Andrew will give it to you as his free gift. It will prove, without a doubt, why his Medicare SmartStart Program is widely considered the most popular and preferred way to sign up and get started with Medicare in WNY, Guaranteed! Simply click HERE right now, and everything will be rushed to you right away. It's that easy!