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

Question

Lea Ayres · Accepted Answer

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

Larry Dalton · Answer

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

Melonie Wood · Answer

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

Corey Romero · Answer

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.

Gregg Matheny · Answer

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

Kathy Adams · Answer

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.

Marcie Barnes · Answer

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.

Judi Norton · Answer

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

Michael Turkaly · Answer

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.

Kerwyn Jones · Answer

There are income ranges which determine what you will pay as a single person or a married couple. Whats your income

Mark Szymanski · Answer

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.

Tyler Henderson · Answer

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

Jennifer Ragborg · Answer

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

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

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

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