Does retirement qualify for a special enrollment period?

You may decide to retire at 62 because you can start collecting Social Security at that age. Medicare is usually available to people age 65 and older, but also available to people younger with certain disabilities such as end-stage renal disease (kidney failure), ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), or have a disability and been receiving Social Security disability benefits for at least 24 months. If you retire at 62 and do not have a disability, you will generally have to wait 3years for Medicare coverage.