IRMAA is an income-related surcharge on top of your Medicare Part B and Part D premiums. It affects roughly 8% of people with Part B. Your 2026 bracket is set by the modified adjusted gross income on your 2024 tax return — two years back — which is why a recent drop in income does not show up automatically.
This tool applies officially published figures to the numbers you enter. It is not an insurance quote, it is not an eligibility determination, and it does not predict what a carrier will charge you. Only HealthCare.gov, Medicare.gov, Social Security or the carrier can determine your eligibility and your actual price.
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Medicare IRMAA Surcharge: how it works
The two-year lookback catches people out
The most common surprise is someone who retires at 65, sees their income fall, and still gets an IRMAA bill based on their last full working year. That is not an error — but it is appealable, because retirement is one of the life-changing events Social Security accepts on form SSA-44.
It is a cliff, not a slope
One dollar over a threshold moves you into the whole next bracket. Going from $109,000 to $109,001 as a single filer costs an extra $81.20 a month on Part B plus $14.50 on Part D — about $1,150 over the year. It is worth knowing where the lines are before you take a capital gain or a large distribution.
Common questionsCommon questions
What counts toward MAGI for IRMAA?
Your adjusted gross income plus tax-exempt interest. That includes wages, Social Security that is taxable, pension and IRA withdrawals, capital gains, dividends and rental income, plus municipal bond interest even though it is not taxed.
How do I appeal IRMAA?
File form SSA-44 with Social Security, naming the life-changing event and providing evidence of your newer, lower income. Work stoppage, work reduction, marriage, divorce, death of a spouse, loss of income-producing property and loss of a pension all qualify.
Does IRMAA apply to Medicare Advantage?
Yes. You still pay the Part B premium and its surcharge when you are in a Medicare Advantage plan, and the Part D surcharge is added if your plan includes drug coverage. It is billed separately from your plan premium.