The answers to five frequently asked questions about Medicare.

Q: I'll be 65 years old soon. When should I sign up for Medicare?
A: Generally, a good rule of thumb is to file for Medicare benefits 3 months prior to your 65th birthday. This allows you plenty of time to create a seamless transition from your current situation into that of being the newest member of the pool – the great big universal single-payer health system that is Medicare – and any additional or supplementary insurance (Part “C” or “D”) that you may choose to go with your Medicare.

Q: How do I file for Medicare?
A: If you are currently receving social security benefits. Most people qualify for Medicare when they turn 65. If you are already getting Social Security benefits, you'll automatically be enrolled in Medicare without an additional application. However, because you pay a premium for Part B coverage, you do have the option of turning it down (for instance, if your spouse is still working and you are fully covered as a dependent under your spouse’s health plan) or applying for it later. Expect your Medicare card to arrive by mail about two months before your 65th birthday, from the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS), the people who operate Medicare.
A. If you are not currently receiving Social Security benefits. If you haven’t yet been collecting Social Security benefits, then three months prior to your 65th birthday you should call the Social Security Administration toll-free at 1-800-772-1213. They can help you sign up for Medicare and address your unique situation. When you apply for Medicare, they may also take your application for monthly retirement benefits, or you can wait to collect until you are fully vested or at a later date. However you should call about Medicare even if you plan to continue working or do not think you have enough work credit under Social Security, because Medicare enrollment period rules are rather strict. If you would like to file for Medicare only, you can also do that by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. The agent there can make an appointment for you - either in person or a telephone appointment - at any convenient Social Security office. Alternatively you also can apply for retirement and/or Medicare benefits online by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov.

Q: I’m coming up on my 62nd birthday. Is it better to draw my Social Security retirement benefits already at age 62 or should I plan to wait until I’m fully vested at age 66?
A: This is a very important financial question, one that has a different correct answer for every individual and for every couple, depending on many factors. Collecting early assures that you’ll also be collecting a lesser amount over your entire retirement. Variables include your and your spouse’s work preference, your expected income, your family history of longevity, your household cost of living, your tax bracket and your personal preferences. For more information and interactive planners, visit the Social Security website at www.socialsecurity.gov.

Q. How long can I delay collecting Social Security benefits? Both my parents are in great health in their nineties, and I don’t want to run out of money in my retirement years should I have their longevity.
A. Every year that you delay your Social Security benefit until age 70 you’ll earn 8% more in benefits, and that’s in addition to standard cost-of-living increases. A very readable series of articles appeared the week of January 14th in USA Today on this subject, and it lets you run the numbers. Look for the issue in your local library, or visit USA Today and search the archives for the series of Money articles entitled “Turning 62”.

How to place your call to the Social Security Administration
Coaching tips from Lisa Krahn make the process smooth and easy as possible. [This information has been tested to be current as of late January 2008]

1. Before you call, prepare yourself mentally and physically for the task. Take your telephone to a quiet room and make yourself comfortable. Have notepaper and a pencil at hand as well as your Social Security number. Next to the telephone have an amusement for yourself: perhaps a cup of hot tea, a book or a puzzle to help you pass the time in a relaxed fashion. It is also helpful to have a timepiece (a clock or a watch) to gauge your wait time accurately.
2. Ready your voice. Especially if your telephone has the keypad on the handset, it is easier to use voice commands rather than press keys to communicate with the online computer at Social Security – by the time you move the phone away from your ear to press the appropriate key, you might have missed the next instruction. So clear your throat, take a sip of tea, or pop in a throat lozenge beforehand so when you speak the computer can hear you clearly over the phone line.
3. Dial the toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213. It will be answered by a warm female voice that is really a computer. “She” can hear you, so be very quiet and listen to her one-minute-long opening announcement.
   1. Her first question for you is your preferred language in which to make this call. Clearly say “English” when it’s your turn (or press 1 on the keypad).
   2. The female voice will then tell you that using the Internet website is another reliable option for reaching Social Security. Ignore this comment, because you’re using the telephone for a reason!
   3. The female voice will then ask you to say in a few words what you are calling about. Clearly say “I’d like to speak to an agent.” This indicates that you’d like to speak to real person, not an automated mechanical system.
   4. The female voice will confirm what you said but will then try to dissuade you! The voice will describe the Social Security automated system and will list all of its services. Wait and listen for the end of the list, when she will cheerfully say “…I can do all of that right away, without waiting for an agent! Would you like to give it a try?”
   5. Clearly say “No.” She’ll agree with you and transfer you to another line.
   6. Next you’ll hear a deeper female voice that will describe your estimated wait time in minutes. Fear not, because you’re prepared with your cup of hot tea, a puzzle to work, or a doodle pad! This second voice will again ask you to try their automated system. Stick to your guns! When asked for your preference, in a clear voice say “Two” (or press 2 on the keypad) because you would like to wait for an agent who is a real person.
4. You’re now on hold listening to classical music while you are patiently doing your puzzle or drinking your cup of tea. After a few moments the voice will interrupt the music and ask whether the nature of your call is “General” [meaning not about anyone in particular] or “Personal” [meaning about a particular person’s situation]. Likely you are calling about yourself, so in a clear voice say “Personal.”
5. Back to the music and your cup of tea. You are in a waiting line or queue [pronounced like the letter “Q”] with quiet music ticking down the time until you speak to a Social Security employee. A voice might break in intermittently thanking you for your patience or making an announcement.
6. If you said that your call was Personal, the music will soon be interrupted by a female voice asking you to tell her five pieces of personal information to make it speedier for the Social Security agent to get to you. This is a legitimate request, and besides, it gives you something to do! The first piece of information is your Social Security number, or that of the person you are calling about.
   1. Clearly say all nine digits of the Social Security number (or press them in order using the keypad of the telephone). The voice will repeat what you entered to double-check for accuracy.
   2. Next she’ll ask you to say the State where this person was born.
   3. Next she’ll ask you to say and spell the first name of the person you are calling about.
   4. Next she’ll ask you to say and spell the last name of the person you are calling about.
   5. Finally she’ll ask you to say and spell the Mother’s maiden name of the person you are calling about. When this is all registered, the voice will thank you for the information and you’ll go back to hearing the waiting music.
7. A real Social Security agent will be talking to you shortly. He or she may ask you to share additional information to confirm your identity. Describe the question or problem you have, and let them assist you in resolving it.
8. Congratulations! You now have a well-earned sense of accomplishment after successfully placing a call to the Social Security Administration. I knew you could do it; and aren’t you proud of yourself?