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Medicare IRMAA in 2026: Income Brackets and What High Earners Pay for Part B

by

Skyler Abilla

Medicare IRMAA in 2026: Income Brackets and What High Earners Pay for Part B

If your income is above $109,000 (single) or $218,000 (married filing jointly), you pay more for Medicare Part B. Here are the 2026 IRMAA brackets and how to appeal.

Medicare IRMAA 2026 Income Brackets

Medicare IRMAA in 2026: What Higher Earners Pay for Part B

Medicare charges more for Part B once your income passes a set level. Here are the 2026 brackets and what you can do if your income dropped.

$109,000
Income at or below which a single filer pays the standard premium in 2026
$202.90
Standard monthly Part B premium in 2026
$689.90
Highest monthly Part B premium in 2026, for incomes of $500,000 or more

What IRMAA is

IRMAA stands for Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount. It is an extra charge added to your Part B premium, and to your Part D premium if you have drug coverage, when your income is above certain levels. Most people never pay it.

Which income counts

Medicare looks at your tax return from two years ago. The 2026 brackets use 2024 income. That means a big one-time event, such as selling a home or a business or cashing out a retirement account, can raise your premium two years later.

The 2026 brackets

If you file as an individual, you pay the standard $202.90 a month at $109,000 or less. Above that, your total monthly Part B premium steps up to $284.10 ($109,001 to $137,000), $405.80 ($137,001 to $171,000), $527.50 ($171,001 to $205,000), $649.20 ($205,001 to $499,999), and $689.90 at $500,000 or more. Married couples filing jointly have double the income ranges, starting at $218,000.

If your income dropped

If your income went down because of a life-changing event, such as retirement, a work reduction, the death of a spouse, or divorce, you can ask Social Security to use a more recent year. This is done with a form called SSA-44. Ask Social Security which documents they need.

Planning around it

If you are near a bracket line, timing matters. A withdrawal from a traditional IRA, a Roth conversion, or the sale of an investment can push you over. Talk to a tax professional before you make large moves around age 63.

Talk to a local agent

Skyler Abilla is a licensed Medicare agent in Bluffton. Call (843) 284-6815 or book a free call. For tax advice, please talk to a tax professional.

IRMAA is based on income from two years ago. If your income has dropped since then, you may be able to appeal.
Total Monthly Part B Premium by Income, Single Filers, 2026

Source: 2026 Medicare Part B premium and IRMAA brackets as summarized by AMAC, based on CMS figures.

A note on this data: Brackets shown are for 2026 and use 2024 income. The 2027 brackets are not yet set. Figures are for people filing individual tax returns. Confirm your own amount with Social Security or Medicare.

This article is for educational purposes only and is not tax advice. Abilla Advisors does not offer every plan available in your area. For information on all of your options, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). This content is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the federal Medicare program.

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