Understanding IRMAA: Are You Paying More for Part B Because of Your Income?

You just opened your mail, and there it is, a notice from Social Security. You’re expecting the usual, but instead, you see a number for your Medicare Part B premium that makes your jaw drop. "Wait a minute," you think, "I thought everyone paid the same standard rate!"

Surprise! You’ve just met IRMAA.

It sounds like a quirky aunt, but IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) is actually a surcharge that can add hundreds of dollars to your monthly Medicare costs. If you’re a higher-earner, or even if you were a higher-earner a couple of years ago, IRMAA might be lurking in your mailbox.

But don’t panic. At Medicare Superhero, LLC, we help people understand these added costs and navigate the paperwork related to them.

Let’s take a closer look at IRMAA and, more importantly, when you may be able to request a review.

What Exactly is IRMAA?

Most people pay the "standard" premium for Medicare Part B. For 2026, that standard premium is projected to be around $202.90 per month. However, if your income exceeds a certain threshold, the government decides you should contribute a bit more to the pot.

IRMAA is an extra charge added to your Part B (medical insurance) and Part D (prescription drug coverage) premiums. It isn't a one-time fee; it’s a monthly surcharge that can significantly change your retirement budget.

The tricky part? The Social Security Administration (SSA) doesn't look at what you’re making today. They look back at your tax returns from two years ago.

The 2-Year Time Travel Rule

One of the most confusing parts of IRMAA is the timing. For your 2026 Medicare premiums, the SSA looks at your 2024 Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI).

This creates a "lag" that often catches new retirees off guard. You might have been making a high salary in 2024 while you were still working, but now that you're retired in 2026, your income has dropped significantly. Unfortunately, the system still sees you as a high-earner based on that 2024 tax return.

This is exactly why so many people feel like Medicare is a giant puzzle with a missing piece. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by how these dates and dollars align, check out our FAQ on Original Medicare premiums to get a clearer picture of the basics.

The 2026 IRMAA Brackets: Where Do You Fall?

Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty numbers. For 2026, the IRMAA thresholds start when your 2024 MAGI is over $109,000 for individuals or $218,000 for married couples filing jointly.

Here is a breakdown of what you might expect to pay for Part B in 2026 based on your 2024 income:

2024 Income (Single)	2024 Income (Married Joint)	2026 Part B Total Monthly Premium
$109,000 or less	$218,000 or less	$202.90 (Standard)
$109,001 – $137,000	$218,001 – $274,000	$284.10
$137,001 – $171,000	$274,001 – $342,000	$405.80
$171,001 – $205,000	$342,001 – $410,000	$527.50
$205,001 – $499,999	$410,001 – $749,999	$649.20
$500,000 or more	$750,000 or more	$689.90

Note: These amounts include the standard premium plus the IRMAA surcharge.

But wait, there’s more! IRMAA also hits your Part D (Drug Plan). While Part D premiums vary depending on the plan you choose, the IRMAA surcharge is a fixed amount added on top. These surcharges can range from an extra $14.50 to $91.00 per month.

When you add the Part B and Part D surcharges together, a couple could easily find themselves paying thousands of dollars more per year than they expected.

Life-Changing Events (LCE) and IRMAA Reviews

If your income has dropped since 2024 due to a specific "Life-Changing Event," you can ask Social Security to review the decision.

The SSA recognizes that life happens. If you’ve experienced one of the following, you can ask them to use your current income instead of your 2024 income:

Work Stoppage: You retired or were laid off.
Work Reduction: You went from full-time to part-time.
Death of a Spouse: This often changes both income and filing status.
Marriage or Divorce: Major changes to your household income.
Loss of Pension: If your pension plan failed or stopped.
Loss of Income-Producing Property: Due to a disaster or theft.

If any of these apply to you, you may be able to request a lower IRMAA surcharge.

How to Appeal: Form SSA-44

To request a review of IRMAA, you’ll need to become familiar with Form SSA-44. This is the official "Medicare Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount - Life-Changing Event" form.

Here is the step-by-step process to appealing:

Identify Your Event: Choose the life-changing event from the list above that caused your income to drop.
Provide Evidence: You’ll need documentation. This could be a letter from your employer confirming your retirement date, a death certificate, or a divorce decree.
Estimate Your Current Income: You will need to provide your estimated MAGI for the current year.
Submit the Form: You can mail it or take it to your local Social Security office.

Generally, you have 60 days from the date you receive your IRMAA notice to file an appeal. Filing promptly may help your request get reviewed sooner.

If you’re sitting there thinking, "This is exactly why I hate paperwork," you aren't alone. We help people understand this process. If you want help reviewing your situation, connect with one of our agents today.

Why You Shouldn't Just "Ignore It"

Some people think, "Oh, I’ll just pay it this year and it’ll go down next year." While it’s true that the SSA re-evaluates IRMAA every year, paying a surcharge you don't owe is essentially giving the government an interest-free loan with your retirement savings.

For a couple in the second bracket, that could be over $2,000 a year in extra costs. That’s money that could be used for other household or retirement expenses.

At Medicare Superhero, LLC, we help people review their coverage options and costs.

Never Fear, Your Medicare Super Hero is Here!

Medicare is complicated, and IRMAA is one of many issues that can come up during your retirement years. Whether you’re dealing with income surcharges, choosing between Medicare Advantage and Supplements, or trying to figure out which Part D plan covers your specific prescriptions, you don't have to do it alone.

We help with the process by:

Reviewing your financial and health situation.
Identifying potential penalties or surcharges like IRMAA.
Helping you file the necessary appeals.
Providing an annual review so you can evaluate whether your plan still fits your needs as the market changes.

Our consultations are available with no fee and no obligation. We’re here to guide you through the Medicare landscape in a clear and straightforward way.

If you want to review whether you may be paying more than expected for your coverage, let's take a look at your situation together.

Get Your Personalized Medicare Plan Review Here!