2026 Medicare’s Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) Brackets, Premiums, Income, and Appeals
Medicare premiums are means-tested through Medicare’s income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA). For 2026, individuals with 2024 modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) of $109,000 or less and married couples filing jointly with MAGI of $218,000 or less generally pay the standard Medicare Part B premium of $202.90 per month. Beneficiaries above those thresholds pay an additional IRMAA amount for Part B and Part D. The adjustment is assessed across five income tiers. At the highest tier, the 2026 Part B premium is $689.90 per month, and the Part D adjustment is $91.00 per month in addition to the plan premium.
Here is a chart with the 2026 Part B premiums according to Medicare.gov:
| If your yearly income in 2024 was | You pay each month (in 202) | ||
| File individual tax return | File joint tax return | File married & separate tax return | |
| $109,000 or less | $218,000 or less | $109,000 or less | $202.90 |
| above $109,000 up to $137,000 |
above $218,000 up to $274,000 |
Not applicable | $284.10 |
| above $137,000 up to $171,000 |
above $274,000 up to $342,000 |
Not applicable | $405.80 |
| above $171,000 up to $205,000 |
above $342,000 up to $410,000 |
Not applicable | $527.50 |
| above $205,000 and less than $500,000 |
above $410,000 and less than $750,000 |
above $109,000 and less than $391,000 |
$649.20 |
| $500,000 or above | $750,000 and above | $391,000 and above | $689.90 |
Here is a chart with the 2026 Part D premiums according to Medicare.gov:
| If your yearly income in 2024 was | You pay each month (in 202) | ||
| File individual tax return | File joint tax return | File married & separate tax return | |
| $109,000 or less | $218,000 or less | $109,000 or less | Your plan premium |
| above $109,000 up to $137,000 |
above $218,000 up to $274,000 |
Not applicable | $14.50 + your plan premium |
| above $137,000 up to $171,000 |
above $274,000 up to $342,000 |
Not applicable | $37.50 + your plan premium |
| above $171,000 up to $205,000 |
above $342,000 up to $410,000 |
Not applicable | $60.40 + your plan premium |
| above $205,000 and less than $500,000 |
above $410,000 and less than $750,000 |
above $109,000 and less than $391,000 |
$83.30 + your plan premium |
| $500,000 or above | $750,000 and above | $391,000 and above | $91.00 + your plan premium |
When you retire, should you submit an IRMAA appeal?
As retirement approaches, consider asking your adviser whether IRMAA may apply and whether a request for a lower amount could be appropriate. Social Security generally uses tax information from two years earlier, so 2026 premiums are generally based on 2024 MAGI. If retirement or another qualifying life-changing event reduces your income, you may be able to ask Social Security to use more recent income information by submitting Form SSA-44. The request can be completed online through the ssa.gov website, or the completed form and supporting evidence can be faxed or mailed to your local Social Security office.
Case Study
Suppose your MAGI was $225,000 in 2024 and you retired in January 2026. Because Social Security generally uses 2024 tax information to determine 2026 IRMAA, your lower post-retirement income may not yet be reflected. In this situation, you may want to request a new determination based on the work stoppage and your estimated 2026 MAGI. If Social Security approves the request, your IRMAA may be reduced or eliminated. Form SSA-44 explains the documentation Social Security may request to support a work stoppage or reduction.
| Work Stoppage or Reduction | An original signed statement from your employer; copies of pay stubs; original or certified documents that show a transfer of your business. Note: In the absence of such proof, we will accept your signed statement, under penalty of perjury, on this form, that you partially or dully stopped working or accepted a job with reduced compensation. |
What else should you know about IRMAA?
However, even a small amount of income above a threshold can move a beneficiary into a higher IRMAA tier. Retirement income events such as required minimum distributions (RMDs), Roth conversions, or realizing a significant capital gain may increase MAGI and affect Medicare premiums. Thoughtful tax and retirement-income planning may help manage IRMAA exposure, although results depend on individual circumstances and applicable rules. Medicare and tax rules may change, so consider consulting your financial and tax advisers about your specific situation. If you would like to discuss partnering with an adviser on your retirement journey, please schedule an introductory call with Clint. We would count it as a privilege to guide you through the different phases of an AGILE retirement.
This article was originally published on September 30, 2021 and was updated for accuracy and relevance on the date above.
