We have a health insurance policy (Independent Health) and will continue so. We have children in college. Need to know if I need to have Medicare now, later, or never.

Although there is an enrollment period of seven months (three months before you turn 65, the month you turn 65 and three months after you turn 65) and a penalty that applies if you do not sign up during the enrollment period. (If you are covered under other health insurance, there is not a penalty). So, if you missed the deadline, you must wait until open enrollment which occurs the first three months of the year and pay a penalty.

You can choose not to enroll in Medicare without a penalty since you are covered under a group health plan by an employer, which you are. So, if you have great coverage and don't need the Medicare coverage, you may just want to forego Medicare for the time being.

If, however, the plan benefits change, your wife loses her job, becomes disabled, etc., you may want to look into Medicare coverage at that time. Again, this would be without a penalty since you were covered by an employer-offered, group health plan.