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Medicare eligibility for spouse that never paid Medicare tax
Old 11-20-2016, 11:23 PM   #1
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Medicare eligibility for spouse that never paid Medicare tax

I've paid into Medicare and will be eligible for Medicare upon reaching age 65. DW will never have paid into Medicare and is 10 years my junior. Will she be able to get Medicare? What happens if I die, or we get divorced?

Does anyone know where I can get some documentation on this topic?
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Old 11-21-2016, 06:04 AM   #2
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Your spouse is eligible for SS and Medicare based on your work record. So, once you earn eligibility for SS you automatically quality for Medicare, and so does she. When she reaches age 65 she will need to show proof of marriage. Here is one link, I'm sure there are many more. https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10035.pdf
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Old 11-21-2016, 06:14 AM   #3
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To clarify- DW must be 65 years old to apply for Medicare so she can't enroll when you turn 65.
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Old 11-23-2016, 02:17 AM   #4
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What happens in the event of death or divorce?
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Old 11-23-2016, 06:17 AM   #5
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If you've been married at least 10 years, I think she's still eligible, but still has to wait till age 65. The only exceptions to the age 65 rule are if you're on SS Disability income or have end-stage renal disease.
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Old 11-23-2016, 01:47 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by MichaelB View Post
Your spouse is eligible for SS and Medicare based on your work record. So, once you earn eligibility for SS you automatically quality for Medicare, and so does she. When she reaches age 65 she will need to show proof of marriage. Here is one link, I'm sure there are many more. https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10035.pdf
We had to do this in person at the SS office.
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Old 11-23-2016, 04:39 PM   #7
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If you've been married at least 10 years, I think she's still eligible, but still has to wait till age 65. The only exceptions to the age 65 rule are if you're on SS Disability income or have end-stage renal disease.

I know the ten-year rule applies to social security benefits, but are you sure it also applies to Medicare as well?
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Old 11-23-2016, 05:10 PM   #8
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Read the link. Once you are eligible for Social Security you are also automatically eligible for Medicare. Your spouse is automatically eligible when you are - as long as you were married for 10 years. Your death does not affect that. If you divorce after 10 years, your spouse continues to be eligible, as long as she does not remarry.
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Old 11-23-2016, 07:23 PM   #9
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Read the link. Once you are eligible for Social Security you are also automatically eligible for Medicare. Your spouse is automatically eligible when you are - as long as you were married for 10 years. Your death does not affect that. If you divorce after 10 years, your spouse continues to be eligible, as long as she does not remarry.

So, if I'm eligible for Medicare but die prior to 10 years of marriage, is DW still eligible for Medicare I she has never paid into Medicare?
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Old 11-23-2016, 07:41 PM   #10
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You know, you asked this exact same question back in March 2015. Did you think the answer had changed?

http://www.early-retirement.org/foru...its-76321.html
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Old 11-23-2016, 08:09 PM   #11
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You know, you asked this exact same question back in March 2015. Did you think the answer had changed?

http://www.early-retirement.org/foru...its-76321.html
Miss Molly, things do change associated with SS. At one time if a widow remarried, she would lose her survivor's benefits, also at one time, if you worked beyond your FRA, you would lose $1 for every 3 you earned
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Old 11-23-2016, 08:35 PM   #12
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Read the link. Once you are eligible for Social Security you are also automatically eligible for Medicare. Your spouse is automatically eligible when you are - as long as you were married for 10 years. Your death does not affect that. If you divorce after 10 years, your spouse continues to be eligible, as long as she does not remarry.

Does being remarried change the outcome

I thought once you were eligible, you were always eligible.... so a new marriage does not affect eligibility....


Now, it can affect what you get out of SS (I think).....
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Old 11-24-2016, 06:12 AM   #13
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Does being remarried change the outcome

I thought once you were eligible, you were always eligible.... so a new marriage does not affect eligibility....


Now, it can affect what you get out of SS (I think).....
Yeah, that was not well worded. If a spouse remarries the SS pension may be affected but eligibility is not.
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Medicare eligibility for spouse that never paid Medicare tax
Old 11-24-2016, 11:38 PM   #14
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Medicare eligibility for spouse that never paid Medicare tax

Quote:
Originally Posted by MissMolly View Post
You know, you asked this exact same question back in March 2015. Did you think the answer had changed?

http://www.early-retirement.org/foru...its-76321.html

Thanks MissMolly. So, based upon everything you know, is the ten year marriage rule really applicable to Medicare as I've asked?

Souschef,

Thank you too![emoji6][emoji106]
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