Medicare & Social Security Guidance
Make confident decisions about Medicare and Social Security, without the overwhelm.
Turning 65, retiring soon, or helping a parent? We’ll help you understand your options, avoid costly timing mistakes, and coordinate benefits with your overall retirement plan.
Schedule a Medicare & Social Security Review
Important: We’re not affiliated with Medicare or the Social Security Administration. We provide education and planning support.
Medicare basics
Understand how Medicare works
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people 65+ and some individuals under 65 with qualifying conditions. Medicare is made up of “parts,” and the right combination depends on your health needs, prescriptions, travel, and budget.
The parts of Medicare
- Part A (Hospital Insurance): Helps cover inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and some home health care.
- Part B (Medical Insurance): Helps cover doctor services, outpatient care, preventive services, and more (with premiums and cost-sharing).
- Part C (Medicare Advantage): An alternative to Original Medicare offered by private companies; generally includes Part A + Part B and often Part D.
- Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage): Helps cover outpatient prescription drugs (through private plans).
- Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance): Optional coverage that helps pay certain out-of-pocket costs when you stay on Original Medicare.
Enrollment timing matters
When can you enroll or make changes?
Medicare has specific enrollment windows, and missing them can lead to gaps in coverage or late enrollment penalties in some cases.
Common enrollment periods include:
- Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): When you first become eligible (often around age 65).
- Special Enrollment Periods (SEP): Life events—like moving or losing other coverage—may allow changes outside the usual windows.
How we help: We’ll map your eligibility and deadlines, then help you compare coverage paths (Original Medicare + supplements vs. Medicare Advantage) based on your priorities.
Social Security basics
Know when to start benefits
- Social Security retirement benefits can typically start as early as age 62 (if you’re eligible), but claiming early can reduce your monthly benefit.
- Your Full Retirement Age (FRA) depends on your birth year (between 66 and 67 for many people). Waiting longer can increase your payment up to age 70.
How we help: We’ll compare claiming strategies (early vs. FRA vs. delayed) and coordinate them with your retirement income plan, taxes, and healthcare costs.
How to apply
Applying for Social Security
You can apply for Social Security benefits online, and you can generally apply up to 3 months before you want benefits to start.
Managing your Social Security account
A mySocial Security account can help you access services and benefit information online.
Want a second set of eyes?
Schedule a Medicare & Social Security Review to walk through your timeline and options.
