H.R. 4960 — BENES 2.0 Act

This section amends SSA regulations (42 U.S.C. 1320b-13) to require social security account statements provided on or after two years after enactment to individuals attaining ages 60 through 65 to include a notice—developed by HHS in coordination with SSA within 12 months after a six-month stakeholder input process—explaining Medicare eligibility (especially part B), late enrollment penalties and calculations, penalty relief and retroactive enrollment under section 1837(h) with examples, benefit coordination under section 1862(b), special considerations for Puerto Rico residents and veterans, and agency resources (including 1-800-MEDICARE); requires periodic notice review and updates beginning four years after enactment and every two years thereafter; mandates posting the notice on SSA and Medicare.gov websites; and specifies mailing statements to those turning 65 not earlier than six months and not later than three months before their birthday. This section further adds a new section 1144A of the Social Security Act (after section 1144) to require SSA to distribute a similar (potentially modified) notice to monthly title II beneficiaries prior to Medicare eligibility, with posting on agency websites. (As background, these notices aim to reduce Medicare part B late enrollment penalties, which permanently increase premiums by 10% per year delayed, by informing individuals eligible for Medicare at age 65.)