If you are eligible for Part B Medicare medical insurance but haven't signed up, you can do so during the 2008 annual general enrollment period for Medicare. Every year the government offers a three-month openenrollment period from Jan. 1 through March 31. This period offers you a second chance if you didn't enroll when you were first eligible, or if you dropped your coverage in the interim. If you enroll during the current sign-up period, coverage will begin July 1.

The standard premium for Medicare Part B coverage for 2008 is $96.40 per month. Some high-income individuals pay more than the standard premium. Most delayed enrollees pay a 10 percent surcharge for each year they could have been enrolled but weren't. There are special rules concerning this surcharge for individuals who have health-insurance coverage from an employer.

Part B coverage, also called medical insurance, helps pay for doctors' care, outpatient hospital visits and other medical services. People are offered the option of signing up for Part B at the same time they are automatically enrolled in Medicare's Part A program.

Part A helps pay for inpatient hospital care and certain other services.

Folks who want to sign up or have questions about Part B Medicare coverage should call Social Security's toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. any business day.

Question and answer

Q.: For 2008, I've made a New Year's resolution to get my retirement planning

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started.

How should I begin?

A.: The earlier you get started planning for your retirement, the better off you'll be when it arrives. The best place to begin is the Retirement Planner on our Web site. You can find it at www.socialsecurity.gov/retire2 /. Another good place to go is to www.mymoney.gov.Both of these government Web sites will help you prepare to be financially fit for retirement.

Also, keep an eye out for your Social Security statement, which should arrive two to three months before your birthday. It gives you an estimate, based on current earnings, of what you might expect in Social Security retirement benefits.

Turning 62? - If you will be 62 by June and have not filed a Social Security or Medicare application, we can provide you with information that will be helpful in determining when to file an application. Mail us: Your name. Social Security number. 2007 earnings. Estimated 2008 earnings. Complete mailing address. Telephone number (both home and work). Date of birth. If you plan to retire in 2008, month in which you would. Spouse's Social Security number. Spouse's date of birth. If spouse is deceased, give date of death. Send it to: Your Social Security, Social Security Administration, 3885 Main St., 3rd Floor, Bridgeport CT 06606. Attn: A. Renzoni. Anthony Renzoni is district manager of the Bridgeport office of the Social Security Administration. His column appears every Monday.