Higher retirement income raises your Medicare premiums. See which bracket you land in and the monthly surcharge.
Determines your 2025 Medicare Part B and Part D income-related surcharge tier from your MAGI and filing status.
IRMAA is an income-related monthly adjustment amount added to your standard Part B and Part D premiums once income crosses set thresholds. For 2025 the single-filer tiers begin at 106,000 and step up at 133,000, 167,000, 200,000, and 500,000, with each bracket doubled for married filing jointly. Crossing a threshold by even one dollar moves you into the next tier, so the surcharge is a cliff rather than a gradual phase-in.
Social Security sets your surcharge using the tax return from two years prior, so your 2025 premiums are based on 2023 income. A one-time income spike, such as a Roth conversion or home sale, can raise premiums later, and IRMAA is charged per person, so a couple may each pay it. If income dropped because of a life-changing event like retirement, you can appeal using Form SSA-44; this is educational, not financial advice.
Medicare uses your most recently filed return, which is typically from two years earlier, so 2025 surcharges rely on 2023 income. More recent life changes can be appealed.
Yes, if a life-changing event such as retirement, divorce, or death of a spouse reduced your income, you can file Form SSA-44 to request a new determination. Otherwise it adjusts automatically as newer returns are filed.
Yes, the surcharge applies per enrolled person, so a married couple who both have Medicare may each pay it. The income thresholds, however, are based on your joint MAGI.
See the exact formula and a worked example on our methodology page.