IRMAA — Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount
IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) is an extra Medicare Part B and Part D premium for higher-income beneficiaries above set income thresholds.
Official source: medicare.gov
For 2026, the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) adds extra costs to Medicare Part B and Part D premiums for individuals with modified adjusted gross income above $109,000, or $218,000 for married couples filing jointly. This means that if your income is above these amounts, you will pay more for your Medicare coverage than those with lower incomes.
IRMAA can take away some of the benefits of Social Security cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) for retirees with higher incomes. It is important to know that if your income has gone down significantly, such as from retiring or going through a divorce, you can appeal the IRMAA decision.
To do this, you need to fill out a form called the SSA-44, which reports your life-changing event. This can help reduce or even eliminate the IRMAA surcharge if your income has dropped. It is crucial to keep track of your income and understand how IRMAA may affect your Medicare costs.
In real life
- A person may pay IRMAA if their income is over a certain amount.
- Someone might pay extra for Medicare if they had a high income two years ago.
- A retiree could have higher Medicare costs because of IRMAA if they earned a lot of money in the past.
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Frequently asked questions about IRMAA
What is Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA)?+
An additional premium surcharge added to Medicare Part B and Part D premiums for beneficiaries whose income exceeds certain thresholds, based on modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) from two years prior. For 2026, IRMAA surcharges begin for individuals with MAGI above $109,000 (or $218,000 for married couples).
Who qualifies for IRMAA?+
Most people 65+, plus some younger people with qualifying disabilities or end-stage renal disease.
How do I apply for IRMAA?+
Most people are enrolled automatically at 65. To pick a plan or sign up manually, go to medicare.gov or call your free SHIP counselor.
Where can I get help?+
Call your free State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for one-on-one Medicare counseling at no cost, or compare plans at medicare.gov.
Source: medicare.gov