R
Life Situation
Retirement
How Medicare fits with retirement, pensions, and 401(k)s.
Medicare and retirement decisions are linked. When you retire affects when you enroll in Part B, how you pay for coverage, and whether COBRA or retiree coverage applies.
Key points
- Retiree health coverage is not the same as active employer coverage for Medicare rules.
- Retiring triggers an 8-month Special Enrollment Period for Part B.
- Consider Medicare timing when planning income (IRAs, Roth conversions) — it affects IRMAA.
Next steps
Related topics
Educational only. This information is not personalized advice. For your specific situation, verify at Medicare.gov or speak with a licensed Medicare professional.