Page 14 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, February 19, 2021 avvya yavvy en oniorior avvy S ior io Dear Savvy Senior, I will turn 65 in a few months and plan to keep working for several more years. I have good health insurance from my employer now. Do I have to sign up for Medicare when I reach 65? Looking Ahead Dear Looking, Whether you need to enroll in Medicare at 65 if you continue to work and have health insurance through your job depends on how large your employer is. The same rules apply if your health insurance comes from your spouse’s job. But fi rst, let’s review the basics. Remember that original Medicare has two parts: Part A, which provides hospital coverage and is free for most people. And Part B, which covers doctor’s bills, lab tests and outpatient care. Part B also has a monthly premium, which is $148.50 for most benefi ciaries in 2021, but is higher for individuals earning above $88,000. If you’re already receiving Social Security, you’ll automatically be enrolled in parts A and B when you turn 65, and you’ll receive your Medicare card in the mail. It will include instructions to return it if you have work coverage that qualifi es you for late enrollment. If you aren’t yet receiving Social Security, you will have to apply, which you can do online at SSA.gov/medicare. If you plan to continue working past the age of 65 and have health insurance from your job, your fi rst step is to ask your benefi ts manager or human resources department how your employer insurance works with Medicare. In most cases, you should at least take Medicare Part A because it’s free. (Note: If you’re funding a health savings account you may not want to take Part A because you can’t make contributions after you enroll). But to decide whether to take Part B or not will depend on the size of your employer. Small Employer If your current employer has fewer than 20 employees, Medicare will be your primary insurer and you should enroll in Medicare Part B during your initial enrollment period. This is a seven-month period that includes the three months before, the month of, and the three months after your 65th birthday. If you miss the seven-month sign-up window, you’ll have to wait until the next general enrollment period, which runs from Jan. 1 to March 31 with benefi ts beginning the following July 1. You’ll also incur a 10 percent penalty for each year you wait beyond your initial enrollment period, which will be tacked on to your monthly Part B premium. Large Employer If your employer has 20 or more employees, your employer’s group health plan will be your primary insurer as long as you remain an active employee. If this is the case, you don’t need to enroll in Part B when you turn 65 if you’re satisfi ed with the coverage you are getting through your job. But if you do decide to enroll in Medicare, it will supplement your employer insurance by paying secondary on all of your claims. Once your employment or group health coverage ends, you will then have eight months to sign up for Part B without a penalty. This is known as the Special Enrollment Period. Check Drug Coverage You also need to verify your prescription drug coverage. Call your benefi ts manager or insurance company to fi nd out if your employer’s prescription drug coverage is considered “creditable.” If it is, you don’t need to enroll in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. If it isn’t, you should purchase a plan (see Medicare.gov/plan-compare) during your initial enrollment period or you’ll incur a premium penalty (1 percent of the average national premium for every month you don’t have coverage) if you enroll later. If you have more questions or need help, contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (see ShiptaCenter.org), which off ers free Medicare counseling. Or call the Medicare Rights Center helpline at 800-333-4114. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. iori by Jim Miller How to Choose a Medical Alert System OBITUARIES David Marshall Romsey Age 82, of Randolph, formerly of Stoughton and Malden, passed away on February 8, 2021 at the Seasons Hospice Milton Inpatient Center in Milton. Devoted and loving brother of Roberta "Bobbie" (Romsey) Bloom of Randolph; dear uncle of Michael and Linda Bloom of Framingham and Elayne and Douglas Fodeman of Marblehead; and great-uncle of Amy Bloom of Framingham, Ari Fodeman of Decatur, GA, and Lauren and Thomas Dvorak of Essex Junction, VT. David was the son of Samuel Romsey and Esther (Levine) Romsey. Born in Malden, he enjoyed spending time with his fi rst cousins, working at the gas station in Everett that was owned and operated by his father and uncle, Myer Itzkowitz, and working as a soda jerk at Malden's Thur Drug Store. It was here that he learned to work hard, serving the public, talking with people, and being helpful and kind. These traits stayed with him his entire life as he was always there to help his family, as well as Temple Beth Am's Bingo program in Randolph. After graduating from Malden High School David went on to the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy (MCP). After MCP, David joined the Air Force Reserves, after which he started his career as the proud owner of Capitol Pharmacy in Peabody, and later worked for a number of private drugstores in the Mission Hill area of Boston and in Quincy. In later years, David found great success with the Massachusetts State Lottery and would share his winnings with his sister Bobbie. He was particularly fond of his nieces and nephews with whom he shared his pun humor, the need for this world to be kind and courteous, submarine sandwiches, and lottery tickets. Plus, he loved to wear his caps and suspenders! In lieu of fl owers, contributions may be made to Temple B'Nai Tikvah in Canton, MA, or Seasons Hospice Milton Inpatient Center in Milton or Massachusetts General Hospital's Cardiology Department in Boston or Simon C. Fireman Community in Randolph. Richard “Dick” M. Sletterink 90, died unexpectedly at his home on Saturday evening, February 13, 2021. He is the beloved husband of Dorothy (Dambroise) Sletterink. Richard was born in Malden on December 1, 1930 and was the son of the late Max and Gladys (McDonough) Sletterink. He attended Malden Public Schools and graduated from Malden High School serving as captain of their tennis team for three years. Following high school, Dick furthered his education and attended Boston College, School of Business Administration in Chestnut Hill. He was a graduate with the class of 1958. He proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War until he was honorably discharged in 1952. For many years, Richard was employed by General Dynamics at their Quincy shipbuilding Division as executive assistant to the general manager. Richard is a devout Catholic, where he was a former parishioner of Infant Jesus Church in Nashua where he served as a member the Parish Council for many years. He was also an usher at Mass. Dick was also a member of Nashua Country Club where he was an active golfer, enjoying the camaraderie of the sport with his many associated and friends. He truly loved the ocean and enjoyed many vacations and day trips to Hampton Beach with his family and friends. Dick is lovingly survived by his wife, Dorothy. Marcia Tamasi (Newell) Age 86, life-long resident of Malden passed away February 5, 2021. Born in Boston July 10, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Peter and Grace Newell of Malden. She was the eldest of seven children. She was raised and educated in the Malden School system. She married her sweetheart the late Joseph Tamasi in November 1951 who passed away in 1995. Marcia is survived by her siblings Carol Sprague, Lois Horak, Audrey Perry, Peter Newell, Rose Mary Newell and Peg (Margaret) Stoodley. She also leaves her sons; Joseph L. Tamasi, Leonard A. Tamasi, Steven R. Tamasi and Anthony L. Tamasi and many grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews. In lieu of fl owers, donations in Marcia's memory may be made to either: OBITUARIES| SEE PAGE 15 ~ Home of the Week ~ SAUGUS...Move right into this 5 rm., 2 bdrm., 1 bath condo conveniently located at Clifton Arms. Spacious, bright & sunny lvrm. w/ sliders to balcony, updated kit. w/ granite, black stainless steel appliances & breakfast bar, formal dnrm., large master bdrm. w/ double closets, hrdwd. floors, updated bathroom, wall A/Cs, coin op. laundry & extra storage in lower level, one off street parking spot, close to public transportation, shopping and Route 1. Great opportunity to own! Offered at $295,000 335 Central Street, Saugus, MA 01906 (781) 233-7300 View all our listings at: CarpenitoRealEstate.com View the interior of this home right on your smartphone.
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