Medicare Work Credits Explained: 2025 Costs and Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A in 2025, you must accumulate 40 work credits, which typically equate to about 10 years of employment with FICA tax contributions. If you are married and lack sufficient credits, your spouse’s work record might qualify you for premium-free coverage.

Medicare work credits track the time you've worked and paid Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes, which fund Social Security and Medicare benefits.

Continue reading to understand what work credits are, how they are calculated, and their impact on your Medicare eligibility.

How Are Medicare Work Credits Calculated?

A single work credit represents one quarter (three months) of employment during which you paid Social Security and Medicare taxes. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses terms like "work quarter," "quarter of coverage," and "Social Security credits" to describe these periods.

Note that work credits are not required to enroll in Medicare Part B or to purchase supplemental insurance plans such as:

• Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage)
• Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage plans)
• Medigap (Medicare supplement insurance)

How Many Years Equals 40 Medicare Work Credits?

Accumulating 40 credits generally corresponds to approximately 10 years of employment with FICA tax payments, which qualifies you for premium-free Medicare Part A.

What If I Don’t Have Enough Work Credits for Medicare Part A?

If you fall short of the 40-credit requirement, you can still enroll in Medicare Part A by paying a monthly premium. In 2025, the premium is $518 per month for individuals with fewer than 30 credits and $285 per month for those with 30 to 39 credits (equivalent to 7.5 to 10 years of work).

Usually, purchasing Part A also requires enrollment in Medicare Part B, which carries a standard premium of $185 per month in 2025. Your actual premium may be higher depending on your income.

Regardless of your credit status, basic Medicare eligibility criteria must be met, including:

• Being age 65 or older
• Being a U.S. citizen or a permanent legal resident who has lived in the U.S. for at least five years

Can You Buy Medicare Work Credits?

Work credits are earned based on your income. In 2025, you receive one credit for every $1,810 earned, up to a maximum of four credits per year. It is not possible to purchase work credits; they must be earned through employment and payment of FICA taxes.

Using a Spouse’s Work Credits for Premium-Free Medicare Part A

If you lack sufficient credits yourself, your spouse’s work record may qualify you for premium-free Medicare Part A, provided you are at least 62 years old and your spouse is at least 65. This also applies if you are divorced or widowed.

Is Medicare Part A Mandatory?

You can opt to enroll in Medicare Part B without Part A. Enrollment in either Part A, Part B, or both allows you to access Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. However, to enroll in Medicare Advantage or Medigap plans, you must be enrolled in both Parts A and B, collectively known as Original Medicare.

Estimate Your Medicare Eligibility and Premiums

Use the Medicare eligibility and premium calculator by entering your birth date and answering simple questions such as whether you’ve worked at least 10 years paying Medicare taxes and if you reside in the U.S. or its territories. This tool provides personalized information on your eligibility and enrollment periods.

Summary

FICA taxes deducted from your paycheck contribute to Medicare and Social Security benefits. Each quarter you work and pay taxes counts as one credit. To receive premium-free Medicare Part A, you need 40 credits (approximately 10 years of work). If you have fewer than 30 credits, expect to pay $518 monthly in 2025 for Part A; with 30 to 39 credits, the premium is $285.

Spouse work records may help you qualify for premium-free Part A even if your own credits are insufficient.

For more detailed eligibility information, visit Medicare.gov or call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227).

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