I've heard about IRMAA affecting my Medicare premiums. How can I find out if it applies to me, and how does it work?

Answered by 65 licensed agents

IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) affects Medicare Part B and D premiums for those with higher incomes, and it's determined by the Social Security Administration based on your income from two years prior. You'll receive an "Initial Determination" if IRMAA applies to you.

Answered by Lea Ayres on March 12, 2025

Broker Licensed in PA, CT, MD & 8 other states

Answered by Lea Ayres Medicare Insurance Agent
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All right, thanks for watching. So the question is about IRMAA and how it affects your Medicare premiums and does it apply to you? Here’s how it goes. IRMAA is an acronym, and I won't bore you with the meaning of it and all that, but basically it's an upcharge by Medicare if you've made a lot of money. The way it works is the standard Medicare Part B premium, which is the medical piece of Part A and B, Part B is the medical insurance piece of Medicare, is your standard price of $164.90 a month. If you make over a certain amount of money this year, it's $106,000 for an individual or $212,000 for a couple filing jointly. If you make over that, then they have what they call an IRMAA charge, which is an upcharge. They're going to charge you more for your Part B than people that make under that amount. What you have to remember is this is a two-year look back. So if you signed up for Part B today, they would look back at your 2023 tax return to assess if there's a... and that’s not a penalty, assess the upcharge. And it's on a sliding scale. There's five different levels. It starts out not too bad. If you make a little bit over $212, I want to say it's another additional $100 a month,

Answered by Steve and Sue Brauer on June 28, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ & CA

Answered by Steve and Sue Brauer Medicare Insurance Agent
An IRMAA (Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) is determined by looking at your income 2 years ago. If that income exceed a certain threshold, you are accessed an IRMAA. The thresholds change each year. If you are accessed an IRMAA, your monthly premium for Medicare Part B is increased.

There are a variety of exceptions available to have an IRMAA reevaluated. Use Social Security Form SS-44 to apply for reconsideration. The most common reason is a reduction in income when someone retires. They may have had a high salary 2 years before retiring but now they will get very little. This could qualify for a reconsideration.

If you work with a trusted broker they can help you with this.

Answered by Mark Bilgere on September 22, 2025

Broker Licensed in TX, AR, IN & LA, MN, NE & OK

Answered by Mark Bilgere Medicare Insurance Agent
To find out about all things IRMAA, contact ssa.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE.

If your income earned is above a certain threshold, your Part B premium will be hirer.

Bill Lawler.

Answered by William Lawler on June 16, 2025

Broker Licensed in MO, FL, IA & 12 other states

Answered by William Lawler Medicare Insurance Agent
The Social Security Administration office will notify you if IRMAA will apply to you, for it is calculated annually upon your tax returns. These rates may change yearly by Medicare and are publicized in your annual Medicare booklet. The amount you pay changes yearly and is recalculated from the income you submit on your tax return for that year.

Answered by Larry Dalton on April 14, 2025

Broker Licensed in OK & TX

Answered by Larry Dalton Medicare Insurance Agent
IRMAA, or the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, is an additional charge on Medicare Part B and Part D premiums for individuals with higher incomes. In 2025, if your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) from 2023 exceeds $106,000 (individual) or $212,000 (joint), you will likely pay an IRMAA. The IRMAA is calculated based on income brackets, and the amount increases as your income rises.

Answered by Terri Reagin on July 12, 2025

Broker Licensed in OK, AR, CO & 6 other states

Answered by Terri Reagin Medicare Insurance Agent
You can go to ssa.gov to look up the income levels for IRMAA. They give you a table that shows the amounts with filing status like married filing jointly, single etc. They list your MAGI and then tell you the amount the part B premium is adjusted.

Answered by Pamela Masters on May 18, 2026

Broker Licensed in NC

Answered by Pamela Masters Medicare Insurance Agent
The IRMAA is based on your income 2 years previously. You can Google IRMAA and see what income level you are at and how much ‘extra’ you will be charged for Part B and Part D. The more you made, the more you will have to pay. The IRMAA changes every year. You can also appeal the IRMAA if you’ve had a ‘life changing event’ such as retirement.

Answered by Christy Jones on August 2, 2025

Broker Licensed in ID, AL, AR & 20 other states

Answered by Christy Jones Medicare Insurance Agent
IRMAA is a way for Medicare to charge those in higher income brackets more for their part B and part D premiums. IRMAA always goes off of your income from 2 years prior, so if you sold a house for $1 million in 2023, Then in 2025 you will pay the highest part B and part D premiums. You’ll need to search “Medicare IRMAA 2025” to find the most up to date charts and plan accordingly. Keep in mind that you will pay a part B as well as a part D premium.

Answered by Gregg Matheny on March 26, 2025

Agent Licensed in AZ & UT

Answered by Gregg Matheny Medicare Insurance Agent
YES, IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) definitely can affect your Medicare Parts B and D premiums if your income exceeds certain thresholds. You'll receive a notice from the Social Security Administration (SSA) called an "initial determination" if IRMAA applies to you, and you can request a re-determination if you believe the calculation is incorrect or your circumstances have changed. You can make some financial changes that can help reduce your IRMAA and subsequently your premiums for Part B and Part D. Feel free to contact me for further explanation.

Answered by Steven Lovell on May 18, 2025

Broker Licensed in GA, AL, CA & 11 other states

Answered by Steven Lovell Medicare Insurance Agent
The first thing you should do is talk to an experienced licensed insurance broker! We can definitely help since we have over 25 yrs of experience in our agency and can explain the information.

Contact us.

Answered by Nick Mangini on March 30, 2026

Broker Licensed in FL, AL, AZ & 32 other states

Answered by Nick Mangini Medicare Insurance Agent
IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) affects Medicare Part B and Part D premiums for those with higher incomes. To find out if it applies to you, check your Medicare notice or the Social Security Administration (SSA) website. IRMAA is calculated based on your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) from two years prior, and the SSA sends you a notice if you're subject to it.

Answered by Melonie Wood on April 12, 2025

Agent Licensed in FL & AL

Answered by Melonie Wood Medicare Insurance Agent
There are income ranges which determine what you will pay as a single person or a married couple. Whats your income

Answered by Kerwyn Jones on May 3, 2025

Broker Licensed in FL, AL, AZ & 21 other states

Answered by Kerwyn Jones Medicare Insurance Agent
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Irmaa. Now, we're not talking about your great aunt that you only see at Thanksgiving. Irmaa means the income-related monthly adjustment amount. It is effectively a tax placed on higher income earners who are on Medicare. Here's how Irmaa works.

When? Every year, November and December. When you first go on Medicare, Medicare requests information from the IRS about what your adjusted gross income was two years prior. And this is redetermined every year, every November, every December.

Now, if your income is in certain thresholds, then you're going to pay more for your Part B services and your Part D. It's going to be what's called an income-related monthly adjustment amount, or Irmaa for short.

Now, there are guides in the Medicare and You handbook. You can search online and find what those different threshold points or break points are. And you can review this annually because it does change.

Now, if you have a life-changing event, they look two years back. So if you're no longer making the same amount of money that you were two years ago because of a life-changing event, probably the most common is you've retired or reduced your hours. You can ask the federal government for a redetermination, basically saying, "Hey, I'm no longer earning what I made two years ago, and therefore I can't afford nor should be subjected to this higher, effective tax."

I hope that helps. If you have any questions, reach out to a local Medicare planning advisor, contact Medicare.gov, or reach out to your local Council on Aging or Senior Center. All great resources. Until next time, be healthy and be well.

Answered by Andrew Firmin on April 4, 2026

Broker Licensed in MA, CT, DE & 13 other states

Answered by Andrew Firmin Medicare Insurance Agent
The Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) is an additional charge added to your Medicare Part B and Part D premiums if your income exceeds certain thresholds. IRMAA is determined by the Social Security Administration based on your reported income from two years prior, usually from your tax return.

How Can I Find Out If IRMAA Applies to Me?

• Check your most recent Social Security or Medicare notice. If IRMAA applies, you’ll receive a letter explaining the extra amount.

• Review your IRS tax return from two years ago. If your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) was above the annual threshold set by Medicare, IRMAA likely applies.

• You can also contact Social Security directly or use their online tools to see if you are subject to IRMAA.

How Does IRMAA Work?

IRMAA increases your monthly premiums for Medicare Part B and Part D based on your income level. The higher your income, the higher your premium adjustment. If your income decreases due to certain life-changing events (like retirement), you can appeal the IRMAA decision with Social Security.

For more information, visit the official Medicare or Social Security websites, or speak with a Medicare representative for personalized assistance. (www.medicare.gov or www.ssa.gov)

Answered by Mark Cunningham on May 18, 2026

Agent Licensed in CO, FL, GA & NE, VA, WI & WY

Answered by Mark Cunningham Medicare Insurance Agent
IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) is an adjustment to your Medicare Part B and Part D premiums based on your income from two years ago. If you’re affected, Social Security will send you a notice explaining the amount and if your income has gone down, you may be able to appeal it.

Answered by Jennifer Sigman on February 23, 2026

Broker Licensed in OH, AL, IA & 12 other states

Answered by Jennifer Sigman Medicare Insurance Agent
Irmaa is added on to your regular Part B Premium for those earning over $106,000 per year if your single and $212,000 per year if your married. It's base on your MAGI income going back two years.

Answered by Jon Kelderman on June 24, 2025

Broker Licensed in IA, AZ & TX

Answered by Jon Kelderman Medicare Insurance Agent
IRMAA is always (NOT) a fun surprise and many folks don’t see it coming. It stands for Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, but really, it just means Medicare is charging you more because you “made too much” two years ago. Yay, right?

Medicare looks at your income from two years back - so in 2025, they’re using your 2023 tax return. If your income was over a certain amount, you’ll pay extra for Part B and Part D. And no, it’s not always a small bump - it can be a few hundred bucks more per month depending on your income level.

You’ll get a letter from Social Security if IRMAA applies. The timing of that letter? Let’s just say it's government issued and doesn’t always conveniently show up BEFORE you’ve already picked your plans and thought you had your costs locked in.

If you’re not working with someone who brings this up ahead of time, that Social Security letter is not a fun one to open. That’s why it helps to trust your advisor who’s actually looking ahead - not just plugging in plan info or letting you go at it alone.

The good news? If your income has gone down if you just retired, sold a business, or lost a spouse - you can appeal it using form SSA-44 to get those premiums adjusted.

If your 2023 income was over $103,000 (single) or $206,000 (married filing jointly), it’s worth looking into. If not, you’re probably good. Either way, the key is catching it before you’re stuck wondering why your Medicare bill just jumped.

Answered by Corey Romero on March 21, 2025

Broker Licensed in LA & TX

Answered by Corey Romero Medicare Insurance Agent
The current grid showing income levels and IRMAA's assigned can be found at Medicare.gov, costs of Medicare, Part B, IRMAA. Use the grid to determine your level, and expect your income from your tax return, 2 years ago, to be the income used.

Answered by Mark Holmes on March 9, 2026

Broker Licensed in FL, AL, AZ & GA, MI, TN & TX

Answered by Mark Holmes Medicare Insurance Agent
There is an income bracket that shows the rate for your Medicare premiums. Your modified adjusted gross income has to be about 106,000 to incur a surcharge.

Answered by Mark Szymanski on April 10, 2025

Agent Licensed in PA & NJ

Answered by Mark Szymanski Medicare Insurance Agent
Go to www.Medicare.gov and put in the search box “IRMAA”. It should show you a chart based on one’s “AGI”, aka Adjusted Gross Income. Believe it or not it’s taken from your 2-year old tax return!! Look at either the Joint column if you filed with your spouse or at the individual if you didn’t. This IS the means of determining exactly what you will pay for your Part B (since Part A is totally free if you had contributed a minimum of ten years towards Social Security, & taken out by your employer from your paycheck). If you can’t find it, ask your agent for a PDF of the 2025 chart. It will increase every year based on our global economy.

Answered by Steven Bleicher on June 18, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ

Answered by Steven Bleicher Medicare Insurance Agent
IRMAA is an extra charge added to your Medicare costs if your income is high.

It can increase what you pay for Part B (doctor visits) and Part D (prescriptions).

It’s not a penalty and not a separate plan—it’s just an income-based surcharge. IRMAA can apply if your income is over $103,000 (single) or $206,000 (married).

The more you earn above that, the more you’ll pay.

Answered by Priscilla Ramos on December 23, 2025

Agent Licensed in OH, AZ, FL & 5 other states

Answered by Priscilla Ramos Medicare Insurance Agent
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How much will I pay for my Medicare? This is a pretty typical question for anyone who is becoming eligible for Medicare.

For Medicare Part A, most people will get that for free, assuming you've worked at least 40 quarters within your lifetime and paid into Social Security. If you've worked less than that, there will be a premium for Part A: $285 if you worked 30 to 39 quarters, and $518 if you've worked less than 30 quarters.

For Part B, most people will pay $185 per month. But there is a sliding scale based on your income, which is known as the income-related monthly adjustment amount, or IRMAA. Depending on your income, if it's above $106,000 per year, you will pay more, which you can see on the chart here.

Your Part D is very similar in that it also has an income-related monthly adjustment amount. The breakdowns are the same on the income, and these will be the amounts that you will be charged in addition to the premium you pay for your prescription drug plan.

You'll also pay an additional premium for Medicare supplement if you choose to get one, and possibly also for a Medicare Advantage plan, depending on which plan you go with.

If you still have questions or need help in applying for a plan, please feel welcome to contact me.

Answered by Chad Watkins on September 24, 2025

Agent Licensed in NJ, AK, AL & 48 other states

Answered by Chad Watkins Medicare Insurance Agent
IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) is an extra charge added to your **Medicare Part B** and **Medicare Part D** premiums if your income exceeds certain limits. Medicare uses your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) from **two years prior** to determine whether you owe more than the standard premium. The higher your income tier, the higher your monthly adjustment.

To see if IRMAA applies to you, review your most recent tax return and compare your MAGI to the current IRMAA income brackets for your filing status. If your income is above the threshold, Social Security will automatically notify you of the higher premium amount. If your income has decreased due to a qualifying life event — such as retirement, divorce, or the death of a spouse — you can request a reassessment through Social Security to potentially lower or remove the surcharge.

Answered by Gus Karigan on March 4, 2026

Broker Licensed in IL, GA & MI

Answered by Gus Karigan Medicare Insurance Agent
There is an IRMAA Income bracket table that you can refer to see if your income falls into the IRMAA category. It looks at your past 2 years income (MAGI). You pay an additional Part B premium according to the bracket your income falls in. If your income is over $103,000 single and $206,000 married for 2025, you will pay an IRMAA. Watch for a letter from SS. If your income has changed, you can file an SSA-44 (request for reconsideration of IRMAA)

Answered by Lea Vollmer on October 30, 2025

Broker Licensed in IL, AL, AZ & 7 other states

Answered by Lea Vollmer Medicare Insurance Agent
We can provide you the federal part b chart where you can find your income. Once you see where your household falls, you’ll see if you are going to be required to pay IRMAA and what that amount is.

Answered by Daintee Hurst Dietz on June 21, 2025

Broker Licensed in TX, AZ & CA

Answered by Daintee Hurst Dietz Medicare Insurance Agent
The best way to find out is by contacting your local social security office and asking if you fall into the IRMAA bracket. IRMAA is an additional surcharge added to your Part B and D premiums if your income exceeds the government set thresholds. According to the limitations it classifies you as a high income earner in retirement. The brackets are based on your adjusted gross income from the previous 2 years. For 2026 IRMAA, your 2024 tax return is used. There is a chart available with the income brackets linked to each surcharge you may receive. You can access this chart by contacting the social security office or by searching IRMAA bracket online.

Answered by Paul Wyatt on August 20, 2025

Broker Licensed in TN, KY & MS

Answered by Paul Wyatt Medicare Insurance Agent
IRMAA is an additional amount added to your Medicare Part B & D premium based on individuals with higher incomes. It is based on your tax returns from two prior years. Check to see if your Modified Adjusted Gross Income exceeded $103,000 9individual) or $206,000 (married filing jointly) to determine your additional cost.

Answered by Shalonda Cave on March 23, 2026

Agent Licensed in OH, AZ & FL

Answered by Shalonda Cave Medicare Insurance Agent
IRMAA, or the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, can increase your Medicare Part B and Part D premiums if your income is above certain limits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) determines if you owe an IRMAA based on your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) from two years prior. For 2025, this means your 2023 tax return is used. If your income triggers an IRMAA, the SSA will send you a notice detailing the surcharge.

Answered by Diane Poythress on August 15, 2025

Agent Licensed in AZ, CA, FL & 7 other states

Answered by Diane Poythress Medicare Insurance Agent
IRMMA confusion among seniors is very common and understandable. The part B premium per month and individual will pay depends on if they file jointly or singly regarding their tax filing.

They calculate the monthly part B premium on a two year look back. So, for 2025 they're looking at tax returns for 2023. Typically for most seniors the 2025 party premium is $185 and it goes up from there depending on what an individual or individuals earn.

I hope that clarifies your question.

Thank you for using MediConnect as a resource of information regarding your Medicare questions.

Chris Vari

Benefits executive

Contact me.

Answered by Chris Vari on August 15, 2025

Agent Licensed in PA

Answered by Chris Vari Medicare Insurance Agent
IRMAA stands for Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount. It is a charge added to your Medicare Part B and Part D premiums if your income exceeds certain thresholds. It is based on a 2 year look back. Social Security mails you an Initial Determination notice. For an Individual the bracket starts at $106k and the Joint income starts at $212k.

Answered by Justin Fox on December 29, 2025

Broker Licensed in MT, AZ, CO & 14 other states

Answered by Justin Fox Medicare Insurance Agent
IRMAA brackets for Medicare Parts B & D premiums are based on your 2023 Modified Adjusted Gross Income. These brackets determine how much premium surcharges will be.

Answered by Kathy Adams on May 2, 2025

Agent Licensed in NV & ND

Answered by Kathy Adams Medicare Insurance Agent
IRMAA (Income Related Monthly Adjusted Amount) is applicable to your Part B and Part D premiums if your income is over a certain amount on a designated year.

So. Your IRMAA charge is based on your tax return, line 11 Modified Adjusted Gross, from 2 years prior.

Example: Your premium in 2026 is based off your Modified Adjusted Gross on your 2024 tax return. They automatically apply this every year. So in 2027, it will be based on your 2025 tax return and so on.

There is a chart available on the SHIIP website on the Medicare Premiums, Deductibles, and Coinsurance pdf. I am more than happy to send you a copy.

It is roughly $100,000 per person. A single person filing will get an IRMAA charge if they file their taxes for some over $100,000. Married, filing jointly is roughly a little over $210,000.

If it applies to you, you will receive a notice from Social Security that you have an adjusted premium. You can also login to your SSA.gov account or possibly your Medicare.gov account.

If you do receive an IRMAA increase and your situation has changed (Retired), then you can always file for an exemption. You may, or may not get it, but it never hurts to try.

Answered by Cori Richerson on March 10, 2026

Broker Licensed in LA, MS, TN & TX

Answered by Cori Richerson Medicare Insurance Agent
You can go to www.medicare.gov for the income tiers that could impact this surcharge or simply use Google to easily find this information. The concept is that Americans with high incomes will pay more for their Medicare benefits.

Answered by Phil Goodge on September 15, 2025

Agent Licensed in CA, AZ, NV & OR

Answered by Phil Goodge Medicare Insurance Agent
I've heard about IRMAA affecting my Medicare premiums. How can I find out if it applies to me, and how does it work?

Answered by Vachik Chakhbazian on May 25, 2025

Agent Licensed in CA, AL, AR & 22 other states

Answered by Vachik Chakhbazian Medicare Insurance Agent
IRMAA stands for Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount.

It’s an extra charge added to your Medicare Part B (medical services & outpatient care) and Part D (prescription drugs) premiums if your income is above certain thresholds. 

Part A (hospital insurance) is not affected by IRMAA in most cases.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) from two years prior.

Income above $106,000 annually requires you to pay more for Medicare Part B

Answered by Mary Brown on September 15, 2025

Broker Licensed in NJ, DE, FL & NC, OH, PA & TX

Answered by Mary Brown Medicare Insurance Agent
If you are already on Medicare, then you would already know that you are paying the IRMAA because Social Security billed you for that, or it's already coming out of your Social. It's based on your gross income, from a 2 year ago tax return. If you are not yet on Medicare, there are tables that will show the income levels and IRMAA. A good agent will have those to show you. The only way to dispute an IRMAA is if the higher income was due to a 1-time amount from a lump sum pension, or sale of a property. If you have vastly lower income now, you can also try. There's a form on SSA.gov to dispute it.

Answered by Andrew Kramer on May 15, 2025

Agent Licensed in FL

Answered by Andrew Kramer Medicare Insurance Agent
IRMAA applies to Medicare beneficiaries with higher incomes and adds a surcharge to your Part B and Part D premiums. To find out if it affects you, check your IRS-reported income from two years ago.

Answered by Meghan Blankenship on November 13, 2025

Broker Licensed in FL, MD & OH

Answered by Meghan Blankenship Medicare Insurance Agent
The Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) is an extra surcharge added to your Medicare Part B and Part D premiums if your income is above a certain threshold. The Social Security Administration (SSA) determines this based on your tax return from two years prior and will notify you by mail if it applies

Answered by Mark Boone on December 10, 2025

Agent Licensed in MN, FL, MI & NC, OH, SC & VA

Answered by Mark Boone Medicare Insurance Agent
The average Medicare beneficiary on a fixed income will not be assessed the Part IRMAA unless their income is above $100,000 or more or something of great value was obtained or sold causing it to be reported to the IRS

If you are assessed a Part D Irma you will receive a letter from Social Security.

Answered by Marcie Barnes on April 17, 2025

Agent Licensed in TX, AK, AL & 48 other states

Answered by Marcie Barnes Medicare Insurance Agent
IRMMA is an income-related monthly adjustment that you pay on your part B and D coverage if your income is over a certain amount, based on how you file your taxes. The 2026 IRMMA rates and allowable amounts are available on the Social Security website. SSA.gov. If you are over the income threshold you will pay more for your part B or D, as it is relates.

Answered by Deborah Webster on January 26, 2026

Broker Licensed in Ia & SC

Answered by Deborah Webster Medicare Insurance Agent
IRMAA is based off of your last two years of AGI. The thresholds change each year so be sure to talk to a licensed agent to help you. It is an adjustment on your part b premium.

Answered by Jennifer Kalbach on April 27, 2026

Agent Licensed in KY

Answered by Jennifer Kalbach Medicare Insurance Agent
I've heard about IRMAA affecting my Medicare premiums. How can I find out if it applies to me, and how does it work?

Answered by Antonio Rodriguez on March 2, 2026

Broker Licensed in OR

Answered by Antonio Rodriguez Medicare Insurance Agent
The Part D IRMAA (Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) charges higher income individuals an additional premium for their Part D coverage. Per the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, roughly 8% of the population is expected to pay some level of Part D IRMAA in 2026.

If your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) is equal to or less than $109,000 individually ($218,000 married filing jointly), your part D IRMAA is $0. In other words you pay nothing for Part D from Medicare - but since medicare doesn’t actually provide prescription drug plans, you will need to sign up for a part D plan from one of the private insurers (United Health Care, Humana, WellCare, etc) to avoid a late enrollment penalty. The price of the plans available in your area will vary greatly and your agent can help you find the right fit based on your mix of medications. MOST (but not all) Medicare Advantage plans include part D drug coverage.

What if your income is higher than those limits? In that case, Medicare will charge you an additional premium for your access to Part D. Just like your Part B Premium, this additional premium is withdrawn from your Social Security or billed directly by Medicare, NOT by your insurance provider.

Read on for the 2026 Part D IRMAA amounts for higher income individuals, and as always reach out to your agent or Medicare.gov (1-800-Medicare) for additional information.

From CMS:

If your MAGI is over $109,000 but less than $137,000 (single) or more than $218,000 but less than $274,000 (couple) your part D IRMAA for 2026 will be $14.50 per month.

Between $137,000 and $171,000 (single) or $274,000 to $342,000 (couple) the Part D IRMAA is $37.50 per month.

$171,000 but less than $205,000 (single) or $342,000 - $410,000 (couple) the Part D IRMAA is $60.40 per month.

$205,000 - $500,000 (single) or $410,000 - $750,000 (couple) the part D IRMAA will be $83.50 per month

Over $500,000 (single) or $750,000 (couple) the Part D IRMAA will be $91 per month.

Answered by Rich Baker on January 26, 2026

Broker Licensed in CO, AR, AZ & 7 other states

Answered by Rich Baker Medicare Insurance Agent
Social Security will notify you by U. S. mail if you are subject to IRMAA well in advance of the start of your IRMAA assessment for the coming year.

Answered by William Murray on April 6, 2026

Broker Licensed in CA, AZ, CO & 31 other states

Answered by William Murray Medicare Insurance Agent
Check out the informative publication at this government website: https://www.medicare.gov/publications/11579-medicare-costs.pdf

See page 2 for the IRMAA info. IRMAA premium adjustments start at $106,000 annual income and grow on a sliding scale

Answered by Bruce Resnick on August 18, 2025

Broker Licensed in TX

Answered by Bruce Resnick Medicare Insurance Agent
Contact the Social Security Administration to determine if you are subject to the IRMMA and any penalties you be subject to. Those fees are added to the cost of the Medicare Advantage product, so even if the carrier has a zero premium, plan available to you, you must pay those fees and penalties to Medicare.

Answered by Larry Pereiro on June 2, 2025

Agent Licensed in IN

Answered by Larry Pereiro Medicare Insurance Agent
IRMAA, which stands for Income Related Monthly Adjusted Amount, can make your Medicare premiums higher based on your income. There are five "brackets" of IRMAA, much like taxes, and depending on your income and which bracket you're in, that will determine how much more you'll pay for your Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D premiums.

SSA and the IRS work together to determine if IRMAA applies to you. They look at your two year previous tax return (example - in 2025 they are looking at your 2023 income) and specifically look at the MAGI/AGI (adjusted gross income) line on your taxes. The amount of income depends on how you file your taxes (married/joinly; married/individual; single/individual). That line determines whether or not you pay the "standard" Medicare amount or more.

Answered by Abigail Turner on September 16, 2025

Broker Licensed in KS, AR, AZ & 13 other states

Answered by Abigail Turner Medicare Insurance Agent
IRMAA applies to higher income earners. If you're individual income is above $106K annually or your joint income is above $212k annually, then you will have increased Part B premiums. They are also basing this on your income two years prior. The chart linked below displays the complete scale of IRMAA premiums for 2025 based on 2023 income. These numbers are increasing slightly for 2026 as well.

Answered by Tony Merwin on November 26, 2025

Broker Licensed in TX, AL, AR & 29 other states

Answered by Tony Merwin Medicare Insurance Agent
it depends on your income or household income from 2 years ago.

it also depends if you are married or single

Answered by Al Saponar on June 30, 2025

Broker Licensed in IL, KS, MN, MO & NV

Answered by Al Saponar Medicare Insurance Agent
Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) can affect your Part B premium if you are above the Adjusted Gross Income Amount set each year. Social Security is looking at income 2 years back. Filing jointly vs. independent has different Adjusted Gross Income amounts. Looking at your Income Taxes will tell you earnings and you can pull up the chart for IRMAA for the year you are looking to turn on your Medicare Part B.

Answered by Judi Norton on April 14, 2025

Agent Licensed in NM

Answered by Judi Norton Medicare Insurance Agent
Income Thresholds:

The SSA uses your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) from your tax return two years prior to determine if you fall into an IRMAA bracket.

Two-Year Lookback:

Your 2025 IRMAA will be based on your 2023 income tax return.

Part B and Part D:

IRMAA affects both Medicare Part B (medical insurance) and Part D (prescription drug coverage) premiums, but not Part A (hospital insurance).

Automatic Deduction:

If you receive Social Security benefits, the IRMAA will be automatically deducted from your monthly payments.

Notices:

The SSA sends out predetermination and initial determination notices to inform you if you owe IRMAA and how to appeal if you disagree with the determination.

Appeals:

You can appeal the IRMAA if you've had a life-changing event that significantly reduced your income, such as marriage, divorce, death of a spouse, or loss of income.

To find out if IRMAA applies to you:

1. Check your income:

Look at your 2023 tax return to see if your MAGI exceeded the threshold for your filing status (single or married filing jointly).

2. Review SSA notifications:

If you are subject to IRMAA, the SSA will send you an initial determination notice.

The Social Security Administration tells you if you have to pay the Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA).

Answered by Leisha Stevens on June 16, 2025

Broker Licensed in OH, CA, FL & NC

Answered by Leisha Stevens Medicare Insurance Agent
IRMAA stands for Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount. It is an additional amount that some higher-income beneficiaries must pay on top of their Medicare Part B and Part D premiums. It’s important to note that IRMAA is not a penalty. Instead, it is calculated based on your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) from two years prior; this is often referred to as a "look-back" period.

If IRMAA applies to you, the Social Security Administration will notify you formally by mail. If you think you might be subject to IRMAA, I strongly recommend that you contact your tax advisor to ensure your information is accurate. Additionally, Medicare.gov offers a Medicare Premium Eligibility tool that can help you estimate whether you will incur IRMAA.

Answered by Angela Wainright on March 2, 2026

Broker Licensed in MN, AZ & ND

Answered by Angela Wainright Medicare Insurance Agent
IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) is an extra charge added to your Medicare Part B and Part D premiums if your income is above a certain level. It’s based on your IRS-reported income from two years ago — for example, your 2024 income determines your 2026 premiums. You can check if it applies to you by reviewing the annual Social Security letter you receive or comparing your income to the IRMAA brackets on Medicare.gov; if your income drops later, you can appeal to have the surcharge reduced.

Answered by Emmond Wills on October 31, 2025

Broker Licensed in TN, AZ, FL & 6 other states

Answered by Emmond Wills Medicare Insurance Agent
It is based on your income. It also matters if you are married and if you file seperately or jointly. If you are over the limit it will affect your Part B cost. The easiest way would be to all your local social security office and ask them

Answered by Paul Mercier on October 30, 2025

Broker Licensed in MA, NH & RI

Answered by Paul Mercier Medicare Insurance Agent
There are tables which can help in determining the excess cost of you Medicare part B premiums. But it always best to contact a Medicare agent/broker to help with the clarity and how it will effect your situation

Answered by Darnel Brown on January 5, 2026

Broker Licensed in TX, CA & LA

Answered by Darnel Brown Medicare Insurance Agent
Social Security reviews your IRS tax returns for the past 2 years of income (Modified Adjusted Gross Income) and determines your IRMAA. For 2025: if it’s 103k as an individual or 206k as married filing jointly, you’re Part B and Part D will be higher. You may check your return or you will also get a letter from Social Security with this information.

Answered by Korina Medrano on September 26, 2025

Broker Licensed in TX, FL & MD

Answered by Korina Medrano Medicare Insurance Agent
IRMAA, the Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, is assessed based on your MAGI, Modified Adjusted Gross Income, 2 years prior to the year we are in. For 2026, they will be referencing your 2024 tax return. There is a chart available that will show you the income brackets and assessment for individuals and couples.

Answered by Jacquie Wolf on October 1, 2025

Broker Licensed in NY

Answered by Jacquie Wolf Medicare Insurance Agent
The IRMAA is based on your income. I will depend if you file taxes single or as a couple. They will look back 2 years at your income.

Answered by Michael Turkaly on April 16, 2025

Agent Licensed in MI

Answered by Michael Turkaly Medicare Insurance Agent
Social security will notify you if IRMAA affects your premiums, or you can reach out to social security administration. The projected income thresholds are: single filers earning $109,001 to $137,000 and joint filers earning $218,001 to $274,000 will pay the first surcharge. Once your income changes, and it goes below that threshold, you can contact social security office to remove IRMAA with your most recent tax return.

Answered by Amine Amraoui on November 15, 2025

Agent Licensed in FL

Answered by Amine Amraoui Medicare Insurance Agent
Social Security will determine your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) from your IRS tax return from two years prior. This is because high-income beneficiaries contribute more to Medicare. IRMAA is an additional premium that you may have to pay in addition to your standard Medicare Part B (medical insurance) and Part D (prescription drug coverage) premiums when your income is higher than the standard amounts the federal government sets.

Answered by Brandi West on August 16, 2025

Broker Licensed in OK, AR, AZ & 12 other states

Answered by Brandi West Medicare Insurance Agent
IRMAA is a surcharge aimed at the high earning Medicare beneficiaries by using your Federal adjusted gross income and marital status. If it applies to you, Social Security will let you know how much your Part B and Part D will cost for the next year.

Answered by Jennifer Ragborg on April 21, 2025

Agent Licensed in MN, AZ, FL, NC & WI

Answered by Jennifer Ragborg Medicare Insurance Agent
Good day. The IRMAA starts when your single filer modified adjusted gross income exceeds $103,000. If you file jointly the IRMAA will kick in if the MAGI exceeds $206,000. If your income triggers the IRMAA the Social Security Admininistration with sent you a letter informing you of your new premium. The letter can generally be expected later in the year.

Answered by Tyler Henderson on March 31, 2025

Agent Licensed in FL

Answered by Tyler Henderson Medicare Insurance Agent
IRMAA stands for Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount. The government will look at your tax return from 2 years ago, they will look at the modified adjusted gross income. This is your adjusted gross income with any tax free instruments added back in. In 2026, if this number is over $109,000 (single tax return) or $218,000 (joint tax return) you will be on the IRMAA scale and paying more for Part B and Part D. There are 5 levels or IRMAA depending how high income is.

If the income is changing at this time as it does for many at retirement there is a form that can be filed with Social Security to reduce IRMAA.

Answered by Jesse Peltz on May 25, 2026

Broker Licensed in FL, AK, AL & 48 other states

Answered by Jesse Peltz Medicare Insurance Agent
How IRMAA works

Based on income from two years ago

Your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) from your tax return two years prior (e.g., 2023 returns for 2025 Medicare) determines IRMAA

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Applies to Part B & Part D premiums

Affects both:

Part B (doctor services)

Part D (prescriptions)

Note: Part C (Advantage) includes Part B and D, so IRMAA applies too

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Sliding-scale surcharge

There are income brackets with surcharges added to the standard premiums:

Standard Part B premium for 2025 is $185/month

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If your 2023 MAGI exceeded:

$106K (single) or $212K (joint), IRMAA kicks in

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Surcharge ranges vary: e.g., Part B total premium can be from $259 up to $628.90/month, depending how high your income is .

Here's a simplified table for 2025 Part B IRMAA brackets:

2023 MAGI 2025 Part B Premium

≤ $106K / $212K joint $185

$106–133K ($212–266K) $259

$133–167K (266–334K) $370

$167–200K (334–400K) $480.90

$200–500K (400–750K) $591.90

> $500K (> $750K) $628.90

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Part D surcharges follow similar income tiers (e.g., ~$13.70–$85.80/mo)

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✅ How to check if IRMAA applies to you

Check your income from two years ago

Look up your MAGI on your 2023 tax return. If it’s above the thresholds, IRMAA may apply

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Watch for notices from SSA

First, you’ll get a “predetermination” notice.

Then an “Initial Determination Notice” explaining the surcharge and how to appeal if needed

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Check your Medicare bill

Answered by Donald Friesen on June 26, 2025

Agent Licensed in NE, KS, MN, NM, TX & WV

Answered by Donald Friesen Medicare Insurance Agent

Tags: Advice for Seniors The Medicare System

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