Are you ready, boomers? Medicare is here

When I last spoke of Baby Boomers coming into “Medicare Age” — 65 years old — it was 2019. 

The average number of boomers turning 65 was 10,000 a day. But 2024 is a “peak year” for boomers, folks. The number is now estimated to be 11,200 Americans turn 65 every day — over 4.1 million every year from 2024 through 2027. So, 65 is still the traditional expected age of “retirement.”

But please remember that Social Security benefits don’t begin at 65. The full retirement age for people to receive 100% of their SS benefits has moved to 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later. Be aware of that — if you are near or in your mid-60s — as you calculate your economic future. 

I have found no demographic statistics for the number of “boomers” in Bonner County. But I suspect a lot of people could raise their hands if asked: "Are you turning, or did you turn, 65 in 2024?” 

So if you’re raising your hand, perhaps you might also be interested in what is happening at the Geezer Forum next Tuesday, Oct. 8. We are hosting our annual Medicare Enrollment forum in the Community Room at Umpqua Bank, 2:30 to 4 p.m. 

The actual Medicare enrollment period is Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. Insurance agents who deal with Medicare cannot technically sell Medicare policies before Oct. 15. Still — before or after that Oct. 15 date — I encourage you to check with a local agent to get your first-hand look at what Medicare plan works best for you. 

But you can get some helpful basic Medicare information even before you speak with an agent. That’s what the Oct. 8 Geezer Forum hopes to provide. Our primary resource person is Stephanie Wood, a SHIBA staff member from Coeur d’Alene. 

SHIBA is the acronym for Senior Health Insurance Benefits Advisor and is a part of the Idaho Department of Insurance. Stephanie will give us basic Medicare information, including 2025 changes to Medicare coverage.  

She will also take specific questions from participants and encourage us to contact local insurance agents to sign up for Medicare. So if you are considering Medicare enrollment for the first time, I hope you will consider joining us next Tuesday at 2:30 p.m.  

However, I don’t want to leave out anyone already on Medicare either. Each year, there seem to be enough changes going on with Medicare coverage that I think it is wise for us to stay updated. And there is always the fun game of comparing this year’s coverage of your Advantage or Supplemental plan with what new plans are offered for 2025. 

So whether you are newly entering the Medicare Maze — or are a veteran Medicare “maze-walker” — please join us next Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2:30 to 4 p.m. in the Community Room at Umpqua Bank. I expect to learn something about Medicare I didn’t know about. Perhaps you will too. We’ll all benefit. 

Paul Graves, M.Div., is the lead geezer-in-training for Elder Advocates, a consulting ministry on aging issues. Contact Paul at 208-610-4971 or elderadvocates@gmail.com.