2026 Medicare Part B Premium — Official Number, IRMAA Tiers, and What It Means

If you are turning 65 in 2026, retiring in 2026, or working past 65 and trying to plan ahead, the big question is simple. How much is Part B going to cost you, and does anything change for your coverage? Here are the numbers that actually affect your wallet in the new year.

• The 2026 Part B premium is $202.90 per month
• The 2026 Part B deductible is $283 per year
• These two amounts are separate and do not replace each other
• Everyone pays the premium
• A small percentage of people pay more because of IRMAA
• Your deductible depends on your coverage type
• Your 2024 income determines your 2026 IRMAA tier

Let’s keep this clean and direct.

• Part B premium: $202.90 per month
• Part B deductible: $283 per year

These two amounts do not combine and do not cancel each other out. They serve different purposes.

Everyone pays the Part B premium no matter the type of Medicare coverage you choose. Your deductible depends on the path you take:

• You do not pay the $283 deductible
• You do pay the monthly Part B premium

• You do pay the deductible
• You do pay the monthly premium
• Even Plan G

• You do pay the deductible
• You do pay the monthly premium
• You are also open to unlimited 20 percent coinsurance

Simple rule: The premium gets you into the program. The deductible determines how your outpatient bills begin.

IRMAA is the income-based surcharge that increases your premium if your income is high enough. Only about 8 percent of people pay it, but it still catches a lot of people off guard.

Your 2024 tax return decides your 2026 IRMAA tier.

Here are the two most common tiers:

• Individual income above 109 thousand and up to 137 thousand

• Joint income above 218 thousand and up to 274 thousand

• Total Part B premium: $284.10 per month

• Individual income above 137 thousand and up to 171 thousand

• Joint income above 274 thousand and up to 342 thousand

• Part B premium: $405.80 per month

It increases from there, but these two tiers are where most cases land.

If you want the full chart, appeal steps, and how IRMAA is calculated, use this page.

Tip: Many people learn they crossed into IRMAA because Social Security simply takes more out of their check. Look at your 2024 income now so you are not surprised in 2026.

Short answer: rising outpatient costs and higher utilization. The Medicare system adjusts every year. According to the actuarial notes, without recent policy changes, the premium would have increased by another eleven dollars, so this is the lower version of the increase.

When you leave employer coverage, that employer subsidy disappears. Medicare becomes primary, so make sure your budget accounts for:

• Part B premium
• Part B deductible if your plan type requires it
• Medicare Advantage or Medigap costs
• Your drug plan premium and drug costs
• Your out-of-pocket exposure
  

If you are heading into this transition for the first time, the How to Prepare for Medicare Enrollment guide is a helpful place to get oriented before making any decisions.

This premium matters even more if your employer coverage:

• Is already expensive
• Has a high deductible
• Offers a limited employer contribution
• Increases sharply when you retire
• Covers a spouse who depends on your plan

Delaying Part B can cost more than expected. If you want help comparing the scenarios, the team at Brick House Agency does this every day with no enrollment pressure.

If you want to review your options, compare costs, or figure out your timeline, you can schedule a conversation with a licensed professional who can walk you through the numbers calmly and clearly.