IRMAA brackets for 2026
If your income was over $109,000 (single) or $218,000 (joint), you pay more for Medicare Part B and Part D. The extra is the income-related monthly adjustment amount, or IRMAA. Here are CMS's 2026 figures, a quick check, and how to ask for less after you retire.
Check your 2026 premium
The income figure Social Security uses, from your 2024 tax return. A tax preparer can tell you yours.
The 2026 brackets
2026 premiums go by your 2024 income. The Part B column is the total monthly premium; the Part D column is added to whatever your drug plan charges.
| Single | Married, joint | Part B | Part D extra |
|---|---|---|---|
| $109,000 or less | $218,000 or less | $202.90 | $0.00 |
| Over $109,000 to $137,000 | Over $218,000 to $274,000 | $284.10 | $14.50 |
| Over $137,000 to $171,000 | Over $274,000 to $342,000 | $405.80 | $37.50 |
| Over $171,000 to $205,000 | Over $342,000 to $410,000 | $527.50 | $60.40 |
| Over $205,000, under $500,000 | Over $410,000, under $750,000 | $649.20 | $83.30 |
| $500,000 or more | $750,000 or more | $689.90 | $91.00 |
Married, filing separately, and lived with your spouse at some point in the year:
- $109,000 or less: $202.90 for Part B, $0.00 extra for Part D
- Over $109,000, under $391,000: $649.20 for Part B, $83.30 extra for Part D
- $391,000 or more: $689.90 for Part B, $91.00 extra for Part D
CMS says about 8% of people with Part B pay these higher amounts.
Source: CMS: 2026 premiums and deductibles
Which year’s income counts
The amount depends on how you file your taxes and your modified adjusted gross income, as reported on your IRS tax return from 2 years earlier. So if Medicare starts in 2027, your first year’s premiums go by your 2025 return. Social Security works it out and tells you if you have to pay more.
Source: Medicare.gov: Medicare costs
Lowering it after you retire
If a life-changing event has reduced your income, you can ask Social Security to use your newer, lower income instead. Stopping or cutting back work counts. Use form SSA-44, with proof of the date work stopped, once you get the notice of the higher premium.
Source: Medicare.gov: Medicare costs · Form SSA-44 (lower your IRMAA)
Next year’s figures
CMS publishes the next year’s brackets and premiums each fall, and this page is updated when it does. The 2026 figures here are from CMS’s 2026 fact sheet.
Source: CMS: 2026 premiums and deductibles
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