65 Navigation
How this works

Your 65 plan, in one place

Turn 65 with a plan—not a pile of paperwork.

Work through Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap, work timing, retirement, and Social Security at your own pace.

Start my plan How this works
Stored unencrypted in this browser only—use a private device.
One step at a time Four short sections turn your situation into a practical action list.
Private and portable Your answers stay on this device. Export a backup whenever you want.
Built for a real conversation Print the report for a SHIP counselor, benefits office, or fiduciary adviser.

Guided worksheet

Answer what you know. Flag what you don’t.

This is decision support, not an enrollment form. You can leave fields blank and return later.

Step 1 of 4

Your starting point

These dates and coverage details drive your Medicare enrollment window and the order of your next steps.

Your exact date lets us estimate your Medicare Initial Enrollment Period.
Medicaid, Medicare Savings Programs, and Medigap protections can vary by state.
A planning date is enough; it does not need to be final.
What health coverage do you have now?
At age 65, the 20-employee threshold often affects which plan pays first. Confirm with the benefits office.
You generally cannot contribute for months you are enrolled in Medicare, including retroactive coverage.
This starts the federal six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period when you are 65 or older.
Do not assume COBRA or retiree coverage lets you delay Part B.

The Part B Special Enrollment Period is generally tied to coverage based on current employment. COBRA does not extend that deadline.

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Step 2 of 4

Health coverage

Start with your doctors, prescriptions, travel, and budget—not a plan advertisement.

Original Medicare path

Part A + Part B, usually with a separate Part D drug plan. Many people also consider Medigap for cost-sharing.

  • Broad access to Medicare-participating providers
  • Medigap is not drug coverage
  • No annual out-of-pocket cap in Original Medicare by itself

Medicare Advantage path

A private plan provides Part A and B benefits and usually drug coverage, often with a provider network.

  • Check every doctor, hospital, and prescription
  • Review prior authorization and travel rules
  • You cannot pair it with Medigap
Which coverage path are you leaning toward?
Your top coverage priority
Use this as your checklist when comparing provider networks and drug formularies.
Do health costs strain the household budget?
Used only to prompt a benefits screening—not to decide eligibility.
Household
Medicaid, Medicare Savings Programs, and Extra Help are different—but can work together.

State Medicaid may provide full or partial help. Medicare Savings Programs can help with Medicare costs. Extra Help reduces Part D drug costs. Apply even if you are unsure; states may use different limits.

Step 3 of 4

Work & retirement

There is no universal “right” retirement age. The useful question is whether health coverage, monthly cash flow, and the life you want line up.

Housing, food, utilities, health care, transportation, insurance, and minimum debt payments.
For this rough snapshot only. Do not include home value unless you plan to use it.
What keeps you working now? Choose the strongest reason.
Medicare is not long-term care insurance.

Medicare generally does not cover ongoing custodial care—help with bathing, dressing, eating, and similar daily needs. Medicaid may help if state eligibility rules are met.

Step 4 of 4

Social Security

Use estimates from your official Social Security account. This worksheet compares the amounts you enter; it does not recreate Social Security’s calculation.

Have you reviewed your official Social Security Statement recently?
Check your earnings record as well as your estimated monthly benefits.
If married, divorced, or widowed, have you reviewed spouse or survivor rules?
Medicare and Social Security use different clocks.

Delaying Social Security does not automatically delay Medicare. If you are not protected by an employer-based Special Enrollment Period, handle Medicare enrollment separately at 65.

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Personal planning worksheet

Your 65 Navigation report

A focused list of dates, decisions, and questions to take into your next Medicare and retirement conversation.

Prepared
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State
Not entered
Age
Not calculated
Full retirement age
Not calculated
Your first priority

Add your date of birth and current coverage.

Those two facts determine the Medicare deadlines and questions that matter most.

Your decision snapshot

Key dates

    Health coverage action plan

    How long should you work?

    Planning checkpoint—not a verdict

    Complete the work and budget section for a useful checkpoint.

    The answer should reflect health coverage, monthly cash flow, health, energy, and what you want work to mean.

    Social Security checkpoint

    Questions to take to a professional

      Official starting points

      1. Medicare Initial Enrollment Period
      2. Medicare while working past 65
      3. Medigap basics and enrollment window
      4. Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage
      5. Medicare Savings Programs
      6. Extra Help with drug costs
      7. Medicaid for seniors and Medicare enrollees
      8. Official my Social Security account
      9. Starting retirement benefits early or later
      10. Receiving Social Security while working
      11. What Medicare does not cover for long-term care
      12. Free, unbiased local SHIP counseling
      Important: This worksheet is educational and is not legal, tax, investment, medical, insurance, or benefits advice. It does not determine eligibility or recommend a specific insurance product. Rules, premiums, limits, plan networks, and state programs change. Confirm decisions with Medicare, Social Security, your State Medicaid office, your employer benefits administrator, and qualified professionals. Content checked against official sources on July 30, 2026.