Do you have to have 40 quarters to get Medicare?

Asked by: Edythe Keebler  |  Last update: December 13, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (65 votes)

To qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A, an individual must have worked 40 quarters in their lifetime. This means it takes around 10 years to earn the required 40 credits. The earnings necessary to receive one credit may vary from year to year.

What are the minimum requirements for Medicare?

Be age 65 or older; Be a U.S. resident; AND. Be either a U.S. citizen, OR. Be an alien who has been lawfully admitted for permanent residence and has been residing in the United States for 5 continuous years prior to the month of filing an application for Medicare.

How many quarters are required for Medicare?

You are eligible for Medicare if you are a citizen of the United States or have been a legal resident for at least 5 years and: You are age 65 or older and you or your spouse has worked for at least 10 years (or 40 quarters) in Medicare-covered employment.

What is the 40 quarter rule for Social Security?

Definition. Lawful permanent residents who have worked or can be credited with 40 qualifying calendar work quarters under the Social Security Act are potentially eligible to receive public benefits.

What happens if I don't get 40 credits for Social Security?

You currently have fewer than the 40 credits needed to become fully insured for retirement benefits. You can still earn credits and become fully insured if you work. We cannot pay you benefits if you don't have enough credits.

What if I Don't Have 40 Social Security Credits to Retire?

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How to prove 40 qualifying quarters of work?

The following types of verification are acceptable for lag period quarters:
  1. W-2 or W2C forms.
  2. Pay stubs.
  3. Employer statements of wages indicating that taxes were withheld.

Does everyone have to pay $170 a month for Medicare?

Most people pay no premiums for Part A. For Medicare Part B in 2025, most beneficiaries will pay $185 per month. Certain factors may require you to pay more or less than the standard Medicare Part B premium in 2025.

What is the new rule for Medicare?

Beginning in 2025, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 requires all Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D plans)—including both stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plans and MA plans with prescription drug coverage—to offer Part D enrollees the option to pay out-of-pocket prescription drug costs in the form of ...

Who qualifies for an extra $144 added to their social security?

To qualify to get $144 added back to your Social Security check, you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan that offers a Part B premium reduction or giveback benefit.

Why would someone not qualify for Medicare?

Why might a person not be eligible for Medicare Part A? A person must be age 65 years or older to qualify for Medicare Part A. Unless they meet other requirements, such as a qualifying disability, they cannot get Medicare Part A benefits before this age.

Can a person who has never worked collect Social Security?

But even if you never worked and therefore don't have an earnings record, you're not necessarily out of luck. If you're married (or were married) to someone who's entitled to Social Security, you can collect spousal benefits equal to 50% of your husband or wife's benefits at full retirement age.

Does my wife get Medicare if she never worked?

The spouse of a Medicare plan holder becomes eligible for their own plan when they turn 65 years old, even if they never worked outside the home. This is because they qualify based on their spouse's work record. If a Medicare enrollee's spouse has a disability, they may qualify at a younger age.

Is Medicare free at age 65 for seniors?

Medicare Part A (hospital insurance)

You're eligible for Part A at no cost at age 65 if 1 of the following applies: • You receive or are eligible to receive benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB).

How much money can you have in the bank if you're on Medicare?

eligibility for Medi-Cal. For new Medi-Cal applications only, current asset limits are $130,000 for one person and $65,000 for each additional household member, up to 10. Starting on January 1, 2024, Medi-Cal applications will no longer ask for asset information.

What happens if you can't afford Medicare?

Depending on your state and how you qualify, Medicaid can cover some of your health care and certain Medicare costs, such as premiums, copays, coinsurance and deductibles. If you are eligible for full Medicaid coverage, you also automatically qualify for Extra Help for Medicare Part D coverage.

How do I get the $16728 Social Security bonus?

Have you heard about the Social Security $16,728 yearly bonus? There's really no “bonus” that retirees can collect. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a specific formula based on your lifetime earnings to determine your benefit amount.

How to get Part A Medicare without 40 credits?

Spousal credits

If a married person does not have 40 work credits but their spouse does, the individual can qualify for premium-free Part A as long as they are over 65 years old. This is also the case if their spouse is deceased. Learn more about Medicare spouse coverage.

How much Social Security will I get if I only worked 20 years?

So, if you've only worked 20 years, which is 10 more than the minimum required to collect Social Security, the Social Security Administration will add your salaries from those 20 years and then divide by 35.

Do you have to earn 40 quarters to qualify for benefits?

For premium-free Medicare Part A, an individual must have worked 40 quarters. This is about 10 years of working and paying Medicare taxes. A quarter of coverage refers to a 3-month period of work that includes Medicare taxes. Also, in 2024, a person must earn $1,730 per quarter to qualify.

How much income can I make and still collect Social Security?

Starting with the month you reach full retirement age, there is no limit on how much you can earn and still receive your benefits.

How to boost your Social Security check by 24%?

Paused benefits earn delayed retirement credits for every month they're suspended until age 70. That can boost your benefits by 8% a year for a maximum of three years, resulting in a 24% bump. It's unclear how many people are taking the do-over.