Today I am officially a old. I guess.

[QED]

Yep. I've hit 65. I don't feel old really but the flood of mail about Medicare options confirms my age. I don't intend to retire for a couple of years so I ignore those.

Anyway, HBD to me. Plans? Curl up with a fluffy blanket on the sofa with my dogs and finish watching Ken Burns Baseball.

[Recursion]

1. Bon anniversaire, QED!

As Kong-zi ( a.k.a. "Confucius" ) said,

At 15 I set my heart upon learning

At 30, I had planted my feet firm upon the ground.

At 40, I no longer suffered from perplexities.

At 50, I knew what were the biddings of heaven.

At 60, I heard them with docile ears.

At 70, I could follow the dictates of my own heart; for what I desired no longer overstepped the boundaries of right.

You're not even in your best years yet. Here's to many happy returns!

[QED]

35. Thanks, Recursion.

I don't feel that old...I do feel somewhat free though. If work gets to me I can retire and say screw this crap. I like what I do but have little tolerance for bullshit.

[yonder]

56. Happy birthday QED! Mine was yesterday.

"...Little tolerance for bullshit."

Exactly.

I know what you mean. You've worked hard your whole life. So after seeing the same issue, in one form or the other a thousand times, you get to the "fuck it" stage.

That's where I was a couple of years ago until retiring. Like you, I generally enjoyed the work. But that same old BS has a way of catching up to one's mental health.

So, hang in there, until you can't and best wishes for a happy birthday AND new year.

[QED]

61. Happy Belated BD

The bullshit - it's usually just another method hyped as the best thing in the world only to be discarded for something else in a year or two. I just roll my eyes and keep doing what I'm doing.

[dewsgirl]

2. Happy Birthday.🎂 Mine was Saturday.

[DownriverDem]

12. Do not ignore signing up for Medicare Part A

Even if you have employee health insurance. Part A is the hospital part. Sign up for Part A. Why? When you need to sign up for Part B (doc/clinic visits etc) they will charge you more for the rest of your life.

[flying_wahini]

14. I second this! You will pay a penalty for forever if you don't sign up now.

You still have some time! Do it today.

[katmondoo]

19. Without Medicare I would not have made it to 90, sign up please

[wallyworld2]

31. exactly

https://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/how-do-i-get-parts-a-b/part-a-part-b-sign-up-periods

[QED]

36. I signed up for A and accidentally B.

I was able to get that fixed. But now I'm double insured, I think - I have both medicare A and insurance through my employer. Doesn't seem right that I have double and many have none.

[lunatica]

59. Your work benefits will cover part b

But once you retire be sure you apply for Medicare part b.

Whenever you decide to retire be sure to take care of any lingering Medicare you should sign up for. It will save you months of headaches!

[question everything]

60. And, I think, Part D - prescription drugs. Even if you don't take any.

[QED]

62. Happy Belated BD!

[samnsara]

3. happy birthday kiddo!

[gab13by13]

4. Most of that mail you are getting isn't from Medicare,

although they may look like they are. Most of your mail is from private insurance companies who want to sell you Medicare/supplemental insurance.

[QED]

37. Yeah, I get that.

It's confusing. I'm glad I don't need to decide on B right now. My union has a plan that people say is good but I'm not there yet.

[whathehell]

5. Excuse me, but

what is "a old"?

The word "old" is an adjective, not a noun.

[redstatebluegirl]

6. I will turn 65 in 2020 and it is bothering me more than I thought it would.

Not sure why, I just feel ancient. 50 didn't phase me, 60 didn't, but this one is like the official "you are an old woman" birthday. Like you I have been getting junk mail about medicare, glasses, hearing aids all of the "old lady things".

I need to remember that the alternative sucks a lot!

Happy Birthday!

[Lonestarblue]

9. Don't worry about 65!

I retired at 67, and life became just great! No more long, boring meetings. No more 6 a.m. flights for work travel. No more 12-14 hour work days. Now I wake when I want, have my coffee, and just enjoy the freedom to do whatever I want with my day. I now have time for exercise classes, movies during the afternoons, lunches with friends, long walks, family visits. I thought when I retired that I would have a hard time filling my days. LOL. My calendar is as full as I want it, but now it’s full of fun.

[safeinOhio]

17. I've got it down.

Retired at 52, now 70. Biggest problem with retirement is that you never get a day off.

Too much snow on the road today. I'll have to go to the indoor club today to get my 4 mile jog in.

[QED]

38. I've had it with boring meetings and useless "Professional Development"

It's always one size fits all and irrelevant.

But aside from that, I like what I do.

[Skittles]

49. that is what I am so looking forward to

this Christmas week I worked 67 hours and I am tired!

[CountAllVotes]

7. My husband will be 84 soon

Despite his need for eye surgery on his one eye every three months for the rest of his life, he can still see out of it (the other one is gone), he is holding up pretty good! This surgery has been going on since 2008! Aw, the miracles of modern medicine (if it weren't for "modern medicine" he'd be blind by now ... ).

I am 20 years younger than he is and I have MS.

I've almost died several times but I'm still here for the time being.

After four recent deaths in the family, we are wondering who is next!

I'm not enjoying seeing what happens once you hit 80!

Happy Birthday to you and here's to many more!

[MartyTheGreek]

16. My Dad had MS. Try th Keto diet for a couple weeks...

You may notice some symptom changes. Had I known this 20 years ago, I would have tried it on him. Happy New Year! Hang in there!

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4709725/

[CountAllVotes]

21. Thanks

I appreciate it.

Thank you & have a Happy New Year 2020!!

[Bernardo de La Paz]

8. Become Canadian. Medicare for all regardless of age.

I had an operation that a DU member reported cost them over $5,000.

I walked into doctors offices and operating room and never saw any bill and never will. Showed my health care ID card and everything was taken care of.

15% sales tax, mind you. But health care is half the cost per capita here and outcomes are better (longer life expectancy).

[luvtheGWN]

27. I second that!

And as a meme I recently viewed on facebook noted "Thirty-two of 33 first world countries managed to institute universal healthcare, so how hard could that be?" (or words to that effect....)

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

32. How easy is it for a 65-year-old U.S.ian to become Canadian, eh?

I've consumed my patriotic share of Molson, if that helps.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

45. I can't advise about immigration laws here. Have to do your own research. But I'm sure can be done

... if you are serious and patient. Maybe I'm just optimistic and you are joking around though.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

48. I was just kidding, but ...

... if Trump gets re-elected or RBG has to leave the SCOTUS, it may be an option. Right now, I'm only 20 minutes from CA, plus whatever time it takes to get through customs/immigration at the bridge.

However, it looks like the only way a retiree can get a resident visa is via the "investor" option. That's a big chunk of money, so that's not really an option.

So, if you see an old guy standing across the Detroit River, with a wistful tear in his eye and a Molson in his hand, just wave.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

52. Happy New Year!

[catbyte]

10. Happy Birthday! I'm going to hit that milestone in June.

It sounds like you have plans for the perfect day.

[Trueblue Texan]

11. Nothing wrong with being old...

...but you might not actually be there yet. The true test is that you discover you like the smell of Ben Gay. Like it? Yep. You're an old fart! Welcome aboard!

[getagrip_already]

25. that is illogical...

Old farts don't smell any better or worse than young, new, farts. Where did that saying come from anyway?

But HBD anyway!

[Trueblue Texan]

63. you don't sound like you're old enough to get the joke...

old farts definitely love their Ben Gay!

[mitch96]

13. I figured out how "old" old is.......

It's 20 years older than you are right now...
When you were 10 somebody 30 was "old" When you were 50 a person 70 was old..
worked for me.. To me now?...... somebody 90 is old!!
m...... official geezer..

[Skittles]

50. I always heard it was 15 years older

yes INDEED

[notdarkyet]

15. I'm 65 on Jan 14th. Happy birthday all you 65ers.

[RestoreAmerica2020]

18. Feliz cumpleaos! Have a great day!

Paz:

[The Polack MSgt]

20. Sto Lat!

One hundred more!

[AllaN01Bear]

22. congrats , im right behind you.

to day i am going shopping with my worker , i dont drive. to mrrow , sleep in after breakfast , then clean apartment.

[Javaman]

23. Learn as much now about Medicare, if you already haven't.

some of it isn't an easy sail to navigate.

My GF turned 65 this year and it was an eyeopening experience.

[QED]

39. The website is confusing - a hot mess.

I did get Part A and will navigate the mess to get B later.

[markbark]

24. Hey, that's only 41

....if you're counting in hex

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

33. Unless you're already counting in hex, then 65hex 101, yikes! nt

[2naSalit]

26. Happy B'Day!

I'm right behind you although I have retired due to disability.

[BigBearJohn]

28. Just remember: It's better to be over the hill than under it.

(I think)

[snowybirdie]

29. From where I stand

You're still a kid! Happy Birthday!

[wallyworld2]

30. You still have time to sign up

Part A & Part B sign up periods

When you first get Medicare

When you're first eligible for Medicare, you have a 7-month Initial Enrollment Period to sign up for Part A and/or Part B.

If you're eligible for Medicare when you turn 65, you can sign up during the 7-month period that:
Begins 3 months before the month you turn 65
Includes the month you turn 65
Ends 3 months after the month you turn 65

Note

If you aren’t automatically enrolled, you can sign up for free Part A (if you’re eligible) any time during or after your Initial Enrollment Period starts. Your coverage start date will depend on when you sign up. If you have to buy Part A and/or Part B, you can only sign up during a valid enrollment period.

Note

If you wait until the month you turn 65 (or the 3 months after you turn 65) to enroll, your Part B coverage will be delayed. This could cause a gap in your coverage.

In most cases, if you don’t sign up for Medicare Part B when you’re first eligible, you’ll have to pay a late enrollment penalty. You'll have to pay this penalty for as long as you have Part B and could have a gap in your health coverage.

Between January 1–March 31 each year

You can sign up for Part A and/or Part B during the General Enrollment Period between January 1–March 31 each year if both of these apply:

You didn't sign up when you were first eligible.
You aren’t eligible for a Special Enrollment Period (see below).

You must pay premiums for Part A and/or Part B. Your coverage will start July 1. You may have to pay a higher premium for late enrollment in Part A and/or a higher premium for late enrollment in Part B.


https://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/how-do-i-get-parts-a-b/part-a-part-b-sign-up-periods

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

34. You don't need Part B if you're still employed and have employer health insurance.

Odds are, your employer will require you to sign up for Part A, since it's free. When you eventually leave the working world, if your employer- or union-provided health care ends, then you can sign up for Parts B, D. A standard letter from H.R. (personnel) will let Medicare know about the insurance, so you won't be hit with a penalty for Parts B, D.

I got Parts B, D when I was 70, because I was on my wife's employer health plan. No penalty.

[QED]

40. I'm surprised my employer doesn't require me to have A.

It would save them money.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

42. It's been so long, I don't remember if my employer required it ...

... or if the enrollment was automatic through Medicare.

Actually, it would have been my wife's employer. I jumped to her insurance when I got laid off and then got a 1099-contract job. When I later got hired "for real", I stayed with my wife's employer plan.

[yonder]

57. Ditto. I got Part A last year and mistakenly enrolled in Part B

even though being covered by my spouse's work provided insurance. After learning of my mistake, I was able to rescind the Part B until my spouse retires, when we will both enroll in Part B and an advantage or supplemental plan that works for us.

[wallyworld2]

65. My feelings are

It's always better to be safe than sorry

Clarify early with SS as to what coverage I am eligible for, to avoid penalties.

Don't wait until the last minute, when you can learn what you need to do early.

What works for me does not necessarily work for someone else.

So anyone who is within 3 months of Medicare eligibility should contact Medicare to clarify before that date

[WhiteTara]

41. Don't ignore Medicare and prescription drug

you will be fined 10% for each year you don't enroll in part D. You should check with SSA to discuss your options since you don't want to miss out on your earned benefits!

Happy Birthday and you are still so young. 65 is the new 45!

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

43. Again, if your employer provides health/drug insurance, there's no penalty from Medicare if you wait

Enjoy your employer's plan, then when that ends (retirement, layoff, etc) you have a few months to get on Medicare Part B,D, without penalty. I started Part B, D, at 70, no penalty because of employer insurance.

[WhiteTara]

44. Oh, I missed the employer insurance plan

Carry on! Enjoy your elder years and retirement when it gets here. You'll wonder how you ever managed to squeeze work in!

I wanted to get you a birthday cake, but I could only find

And Many More

[tblue37]

46. Happy Birthday! nt

[UniteFightBack]

47. You ain't old until you're dead. nt

[guillaumeb]

51. Old is like the horizon.

One can see it, but it is always a bit farther ahead.

[MuseRider]

53. I turned 66 a few weeks ago.

Still not old. I bet you aren't either. It is fun to make fun of our new geezer status though 😁. Congratulations for making it this long, so many don't.

[Croney]

54. HB! Old is when, to your puzzlement, people on the subway

get up to give you their seat. How in the world do they know I'm 75? I see 45 when I look in the mirror! Darn pranksters.

[smirkymonkey]

55. Happy Birthday QED!

I think your plans sound just perfect!

[Niagara]

58. Happy, Happy Birthday!

[Fla Dem]

64. You're as old or as young as you feel.

I didn't feel "OLD" until I hit 70 and that was purely because of a health issue and joint aches. But in my mind I still feel younger than my age would suggest. I remember my grandmother, who in her 90's, would point to an older woman and say, look at that old woman. The woman probably was 10 to 15 years younger than her, but that's how my Nan would see herself, as the younger person.

[Wolf Frankula]

66. I'll be 65 next month

I can't afford to retire. Thank you Ronnie Raygunz and Georgie W, and thank you Teddabangers and Ralf Rumplesuit.

Wolf

[QED]

67. I really can't either.

I need to wait about 3 years until my pension hits a bump up. But if the bullshit gets too intense, I'm done.

[milestogo]

68. On the positive side, you are now eligible for many senior discounts.

I'm looking forward to that!