Costs & coverage

What is IRMAA?

IRMAA — the income-related monthly adjustment amount — is an extra charge added to your Part B and Part D premiums if your income is above a set threshold. In 2026 it starts above $109,000 for individuals and $218,000 for couples, and it's based on your tax return from two years earlier. If your income has since dropped, you can ask Social Security to reconsider.

Reviewed by Scott Stafford, Licensed Insurance Agent

Last updated

How IRMAA works

Most people pay the standard Part B premium. If your income is above the threshold, Medicare adds a surcharge to both your Part B and Part D premiums. The amount steps up in tiers based on your income, and Social Security looks at your tax return from two years ago — so 2026 surcharges are based on your 2024 income.

The 2026 thresholds

The standard premium applies up to $109,000 (individual) or $218,000 (married filing jointly). Above that, you move into IRMAA tiers, with the highest tier reached at $500,000 single or $750,000 joint. The brackets are cliffs — going a dollar over a threshold moves you into the next tier — so income near a line is worth planning around. The estimator below shows your exact 2026 amount.

If your income has dropped

Because IRMAA uses a two-year-old return, a recent change can make it outdated. If you've had a life-changing event — you retired, stopped working, lost a pension, or got divorced — you can file Form SSA-44 to ask Social Security to use your newer, lower income instead. A licensed agent can point you to the right steps.

Live · 2026 figures

What will Medicare actually cost you in 2026?

Most people pay the standard Part B premium — but a higher income adds a surcharge called IRMAA. Enter two details for an instant, plain-language estimate.

Match how you file your federal taxes.
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Modified adjusted gross income from your 2024 tax return.

Estimate only, for educational purposes — not an application or quote. Nothing you enter is stored or sent anywhere.

Common questions

What is IRMAA? FAQ

How is IRMAA calculated?
It's based on your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) from your tax return two years earlier. Social Security compares it to the year's thresholds and adds the matching surcharge to your Part B and Part D premiums.
Can I appeal IRMAA?
Yes. If you've had a qualifying life-changing event that lowered your income, you can file Form SSA-44 to have Social Security use more recent figures.

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