You don’t have to retire to receive Medicare benefits.  In fact, you can even apply online.  Here is a link to more details and a good article http://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/get-parts-a-and-b/when-sign-up-parts-a-and-b/when-sign-up-parts-a-and-b.html  One feature involving Medicare is “open enrollment.”  That date will be upon us soon – October 15.  For more information about this go to http://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/11219.pdf