"If you fall into this group, you should receive a notice from Social Security some months before your 65th birthday about signing up for Medicare," states Insurance Coordinator Cheryl Stillman. "But not everyone, who may be eligible for Social Security, is receiving benefits at age 65, and that's where a problem could arise."

According to Social Security, you may be eligible for Medicare at age 65, even though you're not receiving benefits. "Retirees should be aware that if they'll be eligible for Social Security through their husband or wife, or for that matter a deceased or ex-spouse, then they may have to sign up for Medicare when they turn 65," points out Stillman.

"My case shows how important it is to do your homework beforehand, adds Association member John Grandy, who worked some 40 years for Braintree. "Social Security told me that I wasn't eligible for Medicare on my own but failed to tell me whether I might be eligible through my wife.

"But I didn't stop after they first told me 'no' but looked into it further. I was surprised to find out that I could sign up for Medicare when I turned 65, even though my wife was 63 and still working.

"As I understand it, when my wife turned 62, she became eligible for Social Security, which, in turn, made me eligible. According to Social Security, since I could receive benefits, if my wife retired, and was also 65, I was entitled to Medicare.

"There's no doubt that the law can be very confusing, and you must ask the 'right' question. That being said, if I hadn't pursued it then, I could have had problems later on."

"John's right about making certain," stresses Stillman. "Unfortunately, members, particularly those who are survivors or divorced, don't always sign up when they first become eligible at 65, and because of that, they may have to pay a penalty."

For each 12 months that a retiree was eligible for Medicare but didn't sign up, the feds impose a 10% increase on the Medicare Part B premium, which is paid out of the retiree's Social Security check. Currently, the Part B premium stands at $78.20 monthly and is predicted to go up to $89 next year.

"If a member didn't realize that they're eligible through a deceased or ex-spouse or simply waited until their wife (or husband) retired, they could be hit with a sizable penalty when they eventually sign up. Regrettably, I've seen that happen to members through no fault of their own," continues Stillman.

"It's very important for members, who are turning 65 and may be entitled to Social Security through their spouse - be they younger, deceased or former - to go to their local Social Security office and find out if they're eligible for Medicare. You could be saving yourself a big headache later on."