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Turning 65
Turning 65: Start Here
Your first steps for Medicare, Social Security and taxes, in the order to take them.
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Turning 65 resources
Medicare, Social Security, IRAs and planning ahead in the years around 65.
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- Read the guideTurning 65? Avoid the 3 costliest mistakes most people make.Medicare late-enrollment penalties, unexpected taxes on Social Security benefits, and higher Medicare premiums sneak up fast. Mary Garza walks you through each deadline and how your choices affect your taxes.Turning 65 guide →
- Keep it handyTurning 65: Start HereYour first steps for Medicare, Social Security and taxes, in the order to take them.Get this free PDF ↓
Turning 65 checklists and worksheets
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Turning 65
Turning 65 checklist
Every deadline and decision for the year you turn 65, on one page.
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Turning 65
Social Security claiming worksheet
Compare your benefit at 62, 67 and 70 before you file.
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Turning 65
Medicare enrollment dates cheat sheet
Every enrollment window and penalty to know.
Turning 65 articles
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Turning 65Your Medicare Initial Enrollment Window: Don't Miss ItYour first chance to join Medicare is a seven-month window around your 65th birthday. Here is how it works and why missing it can be costly.
Mary Garza3 min readRead →
Mary Garza3 min readRead →
Turning 65Turning 65: A Retirement Income Check-UpTurning 65 is a good moment to look at your retirement income as a whole. These five questions can help you see where your money will come from and how it is taxed.Mary Garza3 min readRead →
Mary Garza3 min readRead →
Turning 65Required minimum distributions: 5 IRA mistakes to avoidMissed deadlines, wrong amounts and costly penalties. Here’s how to get your RMDs right, and smarter ways to take them.Mary Garza3 min readRead →
Mary Garza3 min readRead →Common questions
Turning 65 questions we hear most
What happens if I keep working past 65 with employer health coverage?
If you or your spouse actively work for an employer with 20 or more employees, you may be able to delay Medicare Part B without a late penalty and use a Special Enrollment Period when that coverage ends. Smaller employers follow different rules, so confirm before your initial window closes.
How does my tax return affect my Medicare monthly premiums?
Medicare looks at your tax return from two years earlier to set your Part B and Part D premiums. If a large IRA withdrawal, capital gain or Roth conversion pushes your income above a threshold, you pay an income-related monthly surcharge. If your income dropped due to retirement, you may be able to request a reduction.
Can I switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare later?
You can switch during open enrollment windows, but outside your initial 6-month Medigap window, private supplement insurers in most states can review your health history and charge more or decline coverage.
Are Social Security benefits taxed in Texas?
Texas has no state income tax, but the federal government can tax up to 85% of your Social Security benefits depending on your combined income from wages, pensions, interest and traditional IRA withdrawals.
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