Updated for 2027
I want to retire before 65. How do I cover the years until Medicare?
Most people who retire before 65 bridge to Medicare with a Marketplace plan, COBRA, a spouse’s job plan, or retiree coverage if their employer offers it. Which one costs less depends mostly on your expected income for the year, because Marketplace savings count income such as pensions, Social Security, and traditional IRA or 401(k) withdrawals, so how you draw on your savings can change your price. Leaving job coverage when you retire gives you 60 days to enroll in a Marketplace plan, and you can apply up to 60 days before your job coverage ends.
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Common questions
Does Social Security count as income for the Marketplace?
Yes. Social Security benefits count, including the part that is not taxed.
Do Roth IRA withdrawals count as income?
Qualified Roth IRA withdrawals generally do not count. Withdrawals from a traditional IRA or 401(k) generally do.
Is COBRA a good bridge to Medicare?
It can be, especially if you have already met this year’s deductible or want to keep the same doctors. COBRA usually lasts up to 18 months and you pay the full premium, so compare it with a Marketplace plan first.
What happens when I turn 65?
Your first chance to sign up for Medicare starts 3 months before the month you turn 65 and lasts 7 months. Plan to end your Marketplace plan when your Medicare coverage starts.
My spouse is younger than me. What happens to their coverage?
Medicare covers only the person who turns 65. A younger spouse can stay on, or move to, a Marketplace plan until they reach 65 themselves.
General information, not tax or legal advice. Rules, savings and plan choices vary by state and household.