Ready at 65
Your Medicare dates, worked out for you.
Answer a few questions. You’ll get the exact dates to sign up, what to do before each one, and how to avoid penalties that last for life.
Coming soon to iPhone and Android. Free to download.
Find your first sign-up window
Most people first sign up for Medicare during a seven-month window around their 65th birthday. Apply by the date in the last column and Parts A and B start on the first day of your birthday month. Apply later in the window and coverage starts the month after you apply.
Born in 1962
| Birthday month | Sign-up window | Apply by |
|---|---|---|
| January | Oct 1, 2026 – Apr 30, 2027Apply by Dec 31, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 |
| February | Nov 1, 2026 – May 31, 2027Apply by Jan 31, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 |
| March | Dec 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2027Apply by Feb 28, 2027 | Feb 28, 2027 |
| April | Jan 1 – Jul 31, 2027Apply by Mar 31, 2027 | Mar 31, 2027 |
| May | Feb 1 – Aug 31, 2027Apply by Apr 30, 2027 | Apr 30, 2027 |
| June | Mar 1 – Sep 30, 2027Apply by May 31, 2027 | May 31, 2027 |
| July | Apr 1 – Oct 31, 2027Apply by Jun 30, 2027 | Jun 30, 2027 |
| August | May 1 – Nov 30, 2027Apply by Jul 31, 2027 | Jul 31, 2027 |
| September | Jun 1 – Dec 31, 2027Apply by Aug 31, 2027 | Aug 31, 2027 |
| October | Jul 1, 2027 – Jan 31, 2028Apply by Sep 30, 2027 | Sep 30, 2027 |
| November | Aug 1, 2027 – Feb 29, 2028Apply by Oct 31, 2027 | Oct 31, 2027 |
| December | Sep 1, 2027 – Mar 31, 2028Apply by Nov 30, 2027 | Nov 30, 2027 |
Born on the 1st of the month? Use the row for the month before yours. Already getting Social Security benefits? You’ll be signed up automatically. Still working, with insurance from your job? You may be able to wait without a penalty. The app works out your exact dates in each of these cases. Sources: Medicare.gov and CMS.
What else the app does
Steps in order
A checklist of what to do before each date, with the official link or phone number for every step.
Guides and a penalty calculator
Short guides in plain English, plus a calculator that shows what signing up late would cost each month.
Free, unbiased help
Find your state’s SHIP counselors, who explain Medicare at no cost and don’t sell plans.
Ready at 65 Plus
One payment of $9.99, with no subscription. Your dates, steps, guides and free-help finder stay free, with or without Plus.
| Feature | Free | Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Your personal Medicare dates | Included | Included |
| Step-by-step to-do list | Included | Included |
| Plain-English guides and a penalty calculator | Included | Included |
| Your state’s free-help program | Included | Included |
| Reminders 30 and 7 days before each deadline | Not included | Included |
| Dates for a spouse, parent or friend | Not included | Included |
| A printable plan with every date and form | Not included | Included |
| Dates added to your phone’s calendar | Not included | Included |
| Price | Free | $9.99 once |
Your answers stay on your phone
There’s no account, no tracking and no advertising. Nothing you enter is sent to us or anyone else, and the app never asks for a Medicare or Social Security number. Buying Plus goes through Apple or Google, so the app never sees your payment details.
Independent and educational
Ready at 65 isn’t affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or the Social Security Administration. It doesn’t sell, recommend or compare plans, and signing up for Medicare is free through Social Security.
This is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. For your own situation, talk with your state’s SHIP counselors at shiphelp.org or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).