You qualify for full Medicare benefits at age 65 or older if:
You are a U.S. citizen or a permanent legal resident who has lived in the United States for at least five years; and
You or your spouse has worked long enough to be eligible for Social Security or railroad retirement benefits — usually having earned 40 credits from about 10 years of work — even if you are not yet receiving these benefits; or
You or your spouse is a government employee or retiree who has not paid into Social Security but has paid Medicare payroll taxes while workin
