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Option 1 — Medicare Enrollment or Transition Help
Need Medicare enrollment or transition help?
If you need assistance comparing Medicare plans or transitioning from employer coverage to Medicare, Brickhouse Agency can help.
This does NOT include IRMAA appeals or SSA-44 support.
No obligation to enroll.
Option 2 — IRMAA Appeals & Reduction Help
Need help reducing or appealing IRMAA?
If you need help with an IRMAA letter, Life-Changing Event, SSA-44, or appealing your IRMAA determination, use the link below.
This service does NOT help with Medicare plan selection or enrollment.
Priority scheduling via my partner link.
2026 Medicare Numbers at a Glance
- Medicare Part B Premium (2026): $202.90/month
- Medicare Part B Deductible (2026): $283
- IRMAA Begins At:
- $109,001+ (single)
- $218,001+ (married filing jointly)
2026 Medicare Part B IRMAA Brackets
| Full Part B Coverage | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Beneficiaries who file individual tax returns with modified adjusted gross income: | Beneficiaries who file joint tax returns with modified adjusted gross income: | Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount | Total Monthly Premium Amount |
| Less than or equal to $109,000 | Less than or equal to $218,000 | $0.00 | $202.90 |
| Greater than $109,000 and less than or equal to $137,000 | Greater than $218,000 and less than or equal to $274,000 | $81.20 | $284.10 |
| Greater than $137,000 and less than or equal to $171,000 | Greater than $274,000 and less than or equal to $342,000 | $202.90 | $405.80 |
| Greater than $171,000 and less than or equal to $205,000 | Greater than $342,000 and less than or equal to $410,000 | $324.60 | $527.50 |
| Greater than $205,000 and less than $500,000 | Greater than $410,000 and less than $750,000 | $446.30 | $649.20 |
| Greater than or equal to $500,000 | Greater than or equal to $750,000 | $487.00 | $689.90 |
2026 Medicare Part D IRMAA Brackets
|
Part D |
||
| Beneficiaries who file individual tax returns with modified adjusted gross income: | Beneficiaries who file joint tax returns with modified adjusted gross income: | Income-related monthly adjustment amount |
| Less than or equal to
$109,000 |
Less than or equal to
$218,000 |
$0.00 |
| Greater than $109,000 and less than or equal to
$137,000 |
Greater than $218,000 and less than or equal to $274,000 | $14.50 |
| Greater than $137,000 and less than or equal to
$171,000 |
Greater than $274,000 and less than or equal to $342,000 | $37.50 |
| Greater than $171,000 and less than or equal to
$205,000 |
Greater than $342,000 and less than or equal to $410,000 | $60.40 |
| Greater than $205,000 and less than $500,000 | Greater than $410,000 and less than $750,000 | $83.30 |
| Greater than or equal to
$500,000 |
Greater than or equal to
$750,000 |
$91.00 |
Premiums for high-income beneficiaries who are married and lived with their spouse at any time during the taxable year, but file a separate return, are as follows:
| Part D | |
| Beneficiaries who are married and lived with their spouses at any time during the year, but file separate tax returns from their spouses with modified adjusted gross income: | Income-related monthly adjustment amount |
| Less than or equal to $109,000 | $0.00 |
| Greater than $109,000 and less than $391,000 | $83.30 |
| Greater than or equal to $391,000 | $91.00 |
Why You May Have Received an IRMAA Letter
Most IRMAA letters arrive in November and December, often in the same envelope as the Social Security COLA notice.
Common triggers include:
- Retirement
- Income spike from a business sale
- Capital gains
- Large Roth conversions
- Inaccurate IRS data
- One-time investment windfalls
If your current income is lower than what you reported two years ago, you may qualify for an appeal.
Life-Changing Events That Qualify for IRMAA Relief
You may appeal IRMAA if you had any of these events:
- Retirement
- Reduction in work hours
- Marriage or divorce
- Death of a spouse
- Loss of income-producing property
- Loss of pension income
- Employer settlement payout changes
If any of these apply, you may be able to reduce or eliminate IRMAA.
How to Appeal IRMAA (SSA-44)
You can request a reconsideration using Form SSA-44 if you qualify for a Life-Changing Event.
The form asks you to:
- Select your qualifying event
- Provide current year estimated MAGI
- Provide proof (e.g., retirement letter)
- Provide documentation of income drop
SSA will review and may adjust your IRMAA accordingly.
Additional Resources
Last Updated
November 2025 — Includes official 2026 IRMAA brackets from CMS.
CMS updates these numbers annually. This page is refreshed when new brackets are released.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is IRMAA and who has to pay it?
IRMAA is an income-based surcharge added to Medicare Part B and Part D premiums when your income from two years ago exceeds certain thresholds. Start with the plain-English explainer: Understanding IRMAA.
How is IRMAA calculated?
Social Security looks at your MAGI (Modified Adjusted Gross Income) from two tax years prior and places you into brackets. See what counts toward MAGI and the latest thresholds here: IRMAA Thresholds & What Counts.
Does IRMAA apply if I have Medicare Advantage or a Medigap plan?
Yes. IRMAA is tied to your income, not your plan type. It applies whether you have Original Medicare + Medigap or a Medicare Advantage plan. Learn how your drug coverage works alongside IRMAA here: What Does Medicare Part D Cover?
Can I appeal IRMAA if my income dropped?
Usually, yes. If you had a life-changing event (retirement, marriage/divorce, death of a spouse, loss of pension, etc.), you can file an appeal with Form SSA-44. Step-by-step help: IRMAA Appeals for High-Income Retirees. Also review recent updates: Changes to the IRMAA Appeals Process.
Do prescriptions I fill affect IRMAA?
Not directly—IRMAA is based on income, not prescription volume. But understanding Part D can prevent other costly mistakes: What Part D Covers.
What are common mistakes people make with IRMAA?
Paying IRMAA for a full year after retiring without appealing, triggering a one-time income spike (large RMDs, asset sales) without planning, or missing paperwork deadlines. Avoid the big pitfalls: Medicare Mistakes to Avoid.
Will the IRMAA rules change again?
Thresholds are inflation-indexed and updated annually. Keep an eye on yearly updates here: Medicare Changes. If you’re picking doctors or pharmacies during plan changes, use the Medicare provider search guide.
Disclaimer
This IRMAA appeal service is offered through a third-party consulting firm not affiliated with Medicare, the Social Security Administration, or any government agency. Prepare for Medicare may receive a referral fee if you use their services. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Please refer to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
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