Will my Medicare premium go up when I retire?
Income above certain lines means extra Part B and Part D charges, called IRMAA. Cross a line by $1 and the full surcharge for that tier applies.
Your result
What you can do about it
If your income dropped because you retired, changed marital status or had another life event, you can ask Social Security to use a more recent year. The form is SSA-44.
How to appeal an IRMAA surchargeRead: What is IRMAA?How we calculated it
- Find the first tier whose upper limit is at or above your MAGI.
- Add that tier's monthly Part B and Part D surcharge to the standard premium.
- Multiply by 12 months, then by the number of people.
Simplified explanation. Check the current amounts in official Medicare or Social Security publications.
Common questions
What does IRMAA stand for?
Income-related monthly adjustment amount: an extra charge on Part B and Part D premiums when your income is above set lines.
Which year's income does Medicare use?
Income from two years earlier. Premiums for 2026 are based on your 2024 tax return.
Can I appeal if my income dropped?
Yes. After a life-changing event such as retirement, you can ask the Social Security Administration to use a more recent year by filing form SSA-44.
Is IRMAA a cliff or gradual?
A cliff. One dollar over a threshold moves you into the next tier for the whole year.