• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Ask Liz Weston

Get smart with your money

  • About
  • Liz’s Books
  • Speaking
  • Disclosure
  • Contact

Liz Weston

Q&A: Signing up for Medicare

September 9, 2019 By Liz Weston

Dear Liz: Is it mandatory to sign up for Medicare at age 65, and how is it paid for? I’m 64, don’t have any assets and I’m not working (I’m living with a friend for free). I’d like to wait until 70 to collect Social Security. Is that possible? Someone just told me that I have to sign up for Medicare, and to pay for it, I have to sign up for Social Security. Is that true?

Answer: No.

You’re not required to get Medicare at 65. You should, however, at least sign up for Medicare Part A. Part A is the portion of Medicare that’s free and covers hospital visits. You sign up for Medicare through Social Security, either online or in a Social Security office, but you don’t have to start your Social Security benefit to do so.

The other parts of Medicare — Part B, which covers doctor’s visits, and Part D, which covers prescription drugs — require paying premiums, but you can pay those without signing up for Social Security. Some people are confused about this, because most people who get Medicare have those premiums deducted from their Social Security checks. But that’s not required.

Filed Under: Medicare, Q&A, Social Security Tagged With: q&a, Social Security

Friday’s need-to-know money news

September 6, 2019 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: Taking a “micro trip” before the holidays. Also in the news: Money summits for couples, the best and worst US cities for retirement, and the top 10 most regrettable mistakes retirees made in the 20s.

Need a Break Before the Holiday Break? Consider a ‘Micro Trip’
A little relaxation before the holiday rush.

Start With a Money Summit to Hit Your #couplegoals
A meeting of the minds.

Here are the best and worst US cities for retirement
Did yours make the list?

Top 10 Most Regrettable Mistakes Retirees Made In Their 20s
Learning from others.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: couples and money, micro trips, Retirement

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

September 5, 2019 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: How to travel last minute and still get a good deal. Also in the news: Streaming services are the hot new credit card rewards, how college students can make the most of their summer earnings, and how retail credit cards are squeezing the financially vulnerable.

How to Travel Last Minute and Still Get a Good Deal
Impulse travel doesn’t have to break the bank.

Forget gas and groceries—streaming services are the new trend in credit card rewards
How your groceries can pay for your binge watching.

College students, make the most of your summer earnings
Making your money last.

Retail credit cards are squeezing the financially vulnerable as their delinquency rate rises
Getting caught in the points trap.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: college students, credit card rewards, last-minute travel, retail credit cards, streaming services, summer jobs, tips

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

September 4, 2019 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: Why your credit score isn’t the only gage of financial health. Also in the news: Car buying tips from an undercover salesman, 8 things that won’t hurt your credit, and how to control what could take a big bite out of your retirement nest egg.

Your Credit Score Isn’t the Only Gauge of Financial Health
The numbers you need to pay attention to.

5 Car-Buying Tips From My Days as an Undercover Salesman
How to navigate the car buying process.

8 Things That Won’t Hurt (Whew!) Your Credit
Starting with checking your credit score.

Here’s what could take a big bite out of your retirement nest egg — and how you can control it
Pacing yourself for the long haul.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: car shopping, Credit, Credit Score, financial health, Retirement, retirement savings, tips

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

September 3, 2019 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: What to do if Hurricane Dorian hits your home and mortgage. Also in the news: How to fall in love with your car again without breaking the bank, drink up savings at Starbucks, and why you should add cash to your car’s emergency kit.

What to Do If Hurricane Dorian Hits Your Home, Mortgage
What to do first.

Fall in Love With Your Car Again Without Breaking the Bank
Rekindle an old flame.

Drink Up Savings at Starbucks
Just in time for Pumpkin Spice Latte season.

Add Cash to Your Car’s Emergency Kit
But don’t leave it on the dashboard.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: cars, emergency kit, Hurricane Dorian, Insurance, mortgage, Starbucks, tips

Q&A: Social Security spousal benefits

September 3, 2019 By Liz Weston

Dear Liz: I’m confused by Social Security benefits for divorced spouses, which you’ve written about recently. I was told that because I remarried (after age 60), I have to wait until my ex-husband died before receiving a part of his benefits. Is this still true for remarried ex-spouses? My ex does collect Social Security and I collect my small benefit (both of us started at full retirement age).

Answer: Yes. Divorced spousal benefits would be available only if you are currently unmarried. Survivor benefits, on the other hand, could still be available if you remarried at 60 or older.

Spousal and divorced spousal benefits can be up to 50% of the worker’s benefit, while survivor and divorced survivor benefits can be up to 100%.

Filed Under: Q&A, Social Security Tagged With: q&a, Social Security, spousal benefits

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 301
  • Page 302
  • Page 303
  • Page 304
  • Page 305
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 786
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Search

Copyright © 2025 · Ask Liz Weston 2.0 On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in