Glossary
Employer Coverage After 65
Active employer group health coverage at age 65 or later allows most retirees to delay Part B without penalty.
Also known as: working past 65, active employer group health plan, GHP
Quick answer
If you (or your spouse) are actively employed at 65 and covered by an employer group health plan with 20+ employees, that employer plan pays primary and you can delay Medicare Part B without a late penalty using a Special Enrollment Period.
Why it matters
Most other forms of coverage — including TRICARE, COBRA, retiree plans, and VA — do NOT qualify as creditable for delaying Part B without penalty.
Why this matters at age 65
Military retirees who also work a civilian job past 65 may have a legitimate reason to delay Part B. But the moment that active employment ends, the SEP clock starts (8 months) — and TFL still requires Part B to remain active.
When you'll encounter it
Anyone still actively working with employer health coverage at or after age 65.
Impact on Medicare
Part A is usually still recommended (premium-free). Part B can be delayed if the active employer plan qualifies.
Impact on TRICARE For Life
TFL is suspended while you're under active employer coverage past 65 (you cannot have TFL without Part B), and reactivates when you enroll in Part B.
Common misconceptions
- "TRICARE counts as employer coverage for delaying Part B." — It does not. Only an active employer group health plan qualifies.
- "Retiree health benefits qualify as creditable for the SEP." — They do not — only active employment counts.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Treating COBRA or retiree coverage as a substitute for an active employer plan.
- Missing the 8-month SEP after employment ends.
What should I do?
- 1Confirm in writing that your employer plan has 20+ employees and is primary at 65.
- 2Enroll in Part B within 8 months of leaving the job or losing coverage.
- 3Coordinate with TFL — Part B re-enrollment reactivates TFL automatically.
Continue learning
— suggested by the knowledge graph- Frequently asked questions about Medicare and TRICARE For LifeA quick-reference summary of the questions retired service members and spouses ask most often — with citations to the official source.
- Common mistakes retired military make at 65 — and how to avoid themThe most expensive errors retired service members and spouses make during the Medicare and TFL transition, and the simple fixes for each.
- Enrolling in Medicare: timing, methods, and the military-specific rulesWhen and how to sign up for Medicare Parts A and B — and the timing that protects your TRICARE For Life activation.
- Avoiding the Medicare late-enrollment penaltyThe Part B late penalty is permanent — and TRICARE does not waive it. Here's how to make sure you never owe it.
- Moving Between StatesHow a permanent move affects Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Part D, and TRICARE For Life coverage.
- AEP & OEP (Election Periods)AEP (Oct 15 – Dec 7) is when you can join, switch, or drop MA plans. OEP (Jan 1 – Mar 31) lets you change MA plans once.
- Annual Election Period (AEP)October 15 – December 7 each year — the main window to join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, with coverage starting January 1.
- Beneficiary CategoryHow DEERS classifies you (active duty, retiree, family member, survivor, etc.) — determines which TRICARE plans and cost shares apply.
- Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP)A 18- to 36-month temporary TRICARE-like coverage option for those who lose TRICARE eligibility — functionally the military version of COBRA.
- Creditable CoverageNon-Medicare coverage that CMS deems at least as good as a standard Medicare Part D plan — TRICARE Pharmacy qualifies, so TFL beneficiaries don't need Part D.
- Creditable Drug CoveragePrescription drug coverage that CMS certifies is at least as good as standard Medicare Part D — including TRICARE Pharmacy and VA Pharmacy.
- I'm still working past 65. Can I delay Part B?Only if you have true employer group health coverage from active employment (yours or your spouse's, 20+ employees). In that case you get a Special Enrollment Period later. But TFL won't activate until you take Part B.
- Does TRICARE For Life work overseas?Yes. Overseas, TFL acts as your primary payer because Medicare generally doesn't pay outside the U.S. You'll usually pay the provider up front and file a paper claim with TFL overseas.
- What are the biggest mistakes retired military make at 65?Declining Part B, missing the IEP, ignoring DEERS, enrolling in Part D unnecessarily, and assuming MTF access continues. Each can cost thousands or end TFL.
- I'm turning 65. What should I do first?About 3 months before your 65th birthday, sign up for Medicare Parts A and B at SSA.gov. TRICARE For Life activates automatically once both are effective and DEERS is current.
- Do I need Medicare Part A if I have TRICARE?Yes. TFL requires Part A and Part B. Part A is typically premium-free if you or your spouse worked 40+ quarters paying Medicare taxes.
Related glossary terms
Related Official Resources
Continue learning straight from the source. Every link below goes to an official government or DoD resource.
Last reviewed January 2026 against the 2026 Medicare & You and TRICARE For Life handbooks.