Retirement Benefits Beyond Social Security
Medicare, pension payments, employer retiree health coverage, and senior discounts — a guide to the full picture of what is available when you retire.
4 min read · 5 steps · Checked April 2026
Step 1. Enroll in Medicare at 65
Your Initial Enrollment Period for Medicare begins 3 months before your 65th birthday and ends 3 months after. Enroll online at ssa.gov/medicare, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at a Social Security office. If you are still on active employer coverage, special rules apply — call 1-800-MEDICARE for guidance.
Warning
Missing the Medicare enrollment window without a valid reason results in a permanent premium increase. Mark your calendar well in advance.
Step 2. Check for a pension from any former employer
Contact HR departments at any company you worked for that may have offered a pension plan. If the company no longer exists, check whether the plan is covered by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) at pbgc.gov/search-a-pension-plan. Lost pension benefits can sometimes be recovered years later.
Step 3. Ask about retiree health coverage
Contact your current or most recent employer's benefits department and ask whether they offer health coverage to retirees, what it costs, and what the enrollment window is. This is especially important if you plan to retire before age 65, when Medicare begins.
Step 4. Check VA benefits if you are a veteran
Go to va.gov and select "Check Your VA Benefits." You can apply for VA healthcare online. Many veterans who served during certain eras are eligible for free or low-cost healthcare through the VA even without a service-connected disability. Call 1-800-827-1000 for help.
Step 5. Use BenefitsCheckUp to find other programs
Go to benefitscheckup.org and answer a short questionnaire about your age, income, state, and situation. The tool identifies federal and state benefit programs you may be eligible for — including prescription help, utility help, and transportation. It is free and does not collect personally identifiable information.
When most people think about retirement benefits, Social Security is the first thing that comes to mind. But there are several other significant benefits that become available as you approach or reach retirement age — and some of them require action on your part to receive them.
Medicare at 65
Regardless of whether you have claimed Social Security, you become eligible for Medicare at age 65. Medicare covers hospital care (Part A), doctor visits and outpatient services (Part B), optional drug coverage (Part D), and optional supplemental or Medicare Advantage coverage. You must actively enroll — it does not happen automatically unless you are already collecting Social Security retirement benefits.
Pension benefits
If you worked for an employer that offered a defined benefit pension, you are entitled to monthly payments at retirement. Contact your former employer's HR or benefits department to find out your benefit amount and how to begin receiving payments. If you are not sure whether you have a pension from a past job, use the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's lookup tool at pbgc.gov.
Retiree health coverage from your employer
Some employers offer health insurance to retirees, either free or at a subsidized cost. This can serve as a bridge between your last day of work and age 65 (when Medicare begins), or it can supplement Medicare. Contact your HR department or former employer's benefits administrator to ask whether you are eligible.
VA benefits for veterans
If you served in the military, you may qualify for VA health care, prescription coverage, and financial benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Apply at va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000. Many veterans are eligible for more than they realize.
Senior discounts
Many businesses offer discounts to adults 55, 60, or 65 and older — restaurants, hotels, retailers, pharmacies, transportation, and entertainment venues. AARP membership (available at 50) unlocks a large additional catalog of discounts. Always ask — senior discounts are often not advertised.
Quick Tip: The BenefitsCheckUp tool at benefitscheckup.org (run by the National Council on Aging) identifies all public benefit programs you may qualify for based on your age, income, and location.
Official sources
- Medicare.gov — medicare.gov
- SSA.gov — ssa.gov
- IRS.gov — irs.gov
- USA.gov — usa.gov
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