Approaching 65? Let's Talk.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users: 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day / 7 days a week, to get information on all of your options.
Not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the federal Medicare program.
Medicare and insurance products are offered through David J. Schwartz as a licensed insurance agent, separately from and not through LPL Financial or Visionary Square. This page is educational and is not an offer of any specific plan or benefit.
Medicare comes in parts, and understanding them is the first step toward a confident decision:
Original Medicare (Parts A & B) covers a great deal—but not everything, and it has no annual out-of-pocket limit. That's why it pays to understand how the pieces fit together before you enroll.
Medicare Advantage (Part C, often called “MAPD” when it includes drug coverage) plans are offered by private insurers as an alternative to Original Medicare. Depending on the plan and where you live, they can bundle prescription drug coverage and may offer extra benefits Original Medicare doesn't—such as dental, vision, or hearing.
Plans, provider networks, and costs vary widely from one area to the next, so the right fit really depends on your doctors, your medications, and your budget. Comparing them can feel overwhelming—that's where a knowledgeable, local guide makes the difference.
Most people become eligible for Medicare at age 65. If you're under 65, you generally qualify after receiving Social Security disability benefits for 24 months—and certain conditions, such as ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), qualify you right away, without the 24-month wait.
Just as important is when you can sign up. You can enroll in or change a Medicare Advantage (MAPD) plan only during specific windows:
Miss a window and you may have to wait—so it helps to plan ahead. Not sure which period applies to you? That's a perfect reason to give me a call.
It's one of the most consequential decisions in retirement—the age you choose changes your monthly check for the rest of your life. Assuming a full retirement age of 67 (for anyone born in 1960 or later):
The earliest you can start—but your benefit is permanently reduced by about 30%.
Your full retirement age—you receive your full benefit.
About 24% more than your full benefit—and roughly 77% more per month than claiming at 62.
If you claim before full retirement age and keep working, part of your benefit may be temporarily withheld—in 2026, $1 for every $2 you earn above $24,480. The good news: those dollars aren't lost. When you reach full retirement age, Social Security recalculates your benefit and effectively pays that money back over time—and from that point on, the earnings limit disappears entirely.
Over a long retirement, the gap between claiming early and claiming late adds up—often to well over $100,000 in lifetime benefits, depending on your benefit amount and how long you live. The right choice depends on your health, your other income, your savings, and—if you're married—your spouse. There's no one-size-fits-all answer, but there is a right answer for your situation.
Figures assume a full retirement age of 67 and reflect current Social Security rules, which are subject to change. Examples are for educational purposes and are not a projection of your benefits.
Whether it's the right time to claim Social Security or which Medicare path makes sense for you, a short, no-pressure conversation can save you from a costly mistake. I'm right here in your community—let's talk it through.
Schedule a Conversation (662) 253-8406