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Part A work credits & premium calculator

Most people get Medicare Part A premium-free after about 10 years of work. If you worked less, you may pay $311 or $565 per month in 2026, or you may qualify for free through a spouse. Answer three questions and see where you land.

Your work history

Years you worked and paid Medicare taxes

Roughly. Most W-2 jobs and self-employment with Medicare taxes count. You earn up to 4 credits per year.

years

Could a spouse's record help? My current spouse is 62 or older and worked at least 10 years I'm divorced after a 10+ year marriage, or widowed, and that spouse worked at least 10 years

2026 amounts from the CMS premiums and deductibles announcement, November 14, 2025: premium-free with 40+ credits; $311/mo with 30 to 39 credits; $565/mo with fewer than 30. Social Security's records decide the official answer; spousal qualification has details worth verifying with SSA or with us. Educational only.

FAQ

Part A and work credit questions

How do work credits accumulate?

You earn up to 4 credits per year of work where you pay Medicare taxes, so 40 credits is roughly 10 years of work. They do not have to be consecutive years, and credits never expire once earned.

Can I qualify on my spouse's work record?

Often, yes. You may qualify for premium-free Part A on the record of a current spouse (once you are 65 and they are at least 62), a divorced spouse if the marriage lasted at least 10 years, or a deceased spouse. This is one of the most missed paths to premium-free Part A.

If I have to pay for Part A, is there a late penalty too?

There can be. If you delay buying Part A past your enrollment window, the premium goes up 10% and you pay that higher amount for twice the number of years you delayed. Part B has its own separate, usually lifelong, penalty.

Does everyone pay for Part B even if Part A is free?

Yes. Premium-free Part A does not make Part B free; for 2026 the standard Part B premium is $202.90 per month for everyone, with income-based surcharges above $109,000 single or $218,000 joint.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 10 organizations which offer 90 products in your area. Please contact medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.

Talk with a real person

Short on credits? There's usually a path.

Between spousal records, a few more quarters of work, and Medicaid programs that pay Part A premiums for people who qualify, very few people are actually stuck at the full premium. Let's look at your situation together, free.

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