Medicare's Income-Related Monthly Adjustments (IRMAA)     & How To Reduce Them

Courtesy of Peter Palmiotto

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Eliminate Social Security's Two Year 

Look Back Period To Avoid "IRMAA"

Medicare's Part B and Part D premiums can be increased if the Social Security Administration (SSA) determines your income from two years ago to be above set limits. These premium increases are known as the Income-Related Monthly Adjustments Amount or "IRMAA." High income earners must pay higher Medicare Part B & D premiums. To determine your monthly premiums, Medicare relies on what the SSA shows as your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) from two years ago (look at line 11 of your 1040).

This negatively affects those that have recently had a notable drop in earned income. You can reduce higher premiums by requesting a reconsideration of your current income by submitting an SSA-44 form. This form essentially asks the SSA to look at your MAGI based on today's adjusted earnings rather than two years ago, thereby reducing Part A & D's monthly premiums.

  • Form SSA-44 allows you to submit an adjustment request to the SSA
  • You can use "todays" income without needing to look back two years
  • This may reduce your Medicare premiums for both B and Part D
  • This is legal, ethical and welcomed by the Social Security Administration
Download Form SSA-44 Here

Medicare Part B & D Premium Income Limits & Penalties For 2027

Look at these two charts. Find your income range and then see what you will pay each month for your Medicare Part B premium and your Part D premium increases. You will pay both B & D payment adjustments on a monthly basis, regardless of which type of insurance you purchase (Supplement vs Advantage Plans). If you are not receiving your Social Security benefits yet, then the SSA will mail you a quarterly bill for these charges. There are options for direct pay listed on the bill.


If your income has recently dropped, or will drop over the next few months, you need to tell SSA about it so you can lower your IRMAAs shown below. You can find the SSA-44 here >> and you will need to send it to a local office. Find one near you >>>.


NOTE: It's strongly advised you make yourself a copy of what you submit, and send the application certified mail so you have evidence of mailing. If you drop it off, notate the date, time and whom you handed the form to, or ask for a written receipt of submission.

You may also have a Medicare Part D IRMAA increase as shown below. This is in addition to the amounts above.

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Planning for 2027 Medicare Premiums: Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA)

Compare estimated 2027 IRMAA amounts for single and married joint filers.

Projected figures, not official 2027 rates. These planning estimates reproduce the supplied projection data and have not been independently validated. Final income thresholds and surcharges may differ. Review official Medicare and Social Security information before relying on these figures.

On smaller screens, swipe or scroll horizontally to view every column.

Projected 2027 IRMAA Brackets (Based on 2025 MAGI)
Surcharge Tier Single Filer 2025 MAGI Married Filing Jointly 2025 MAGI Est. Monthly Part B Surcharge Est. Monthly Part D Surcharge
Standard (No IRMAA) $111,000 or less $222,000 or less $0.00 $0.00
Tier 1 $111,001 to $140,000 $222,001 to $280,000 +$83.80 +$15.40
Tier 2 $140,001 to $175,000 $280,001 to $350,000 +$209.50 +$39.70
Tier 3 $175,001 to $210,000 $350,001 to $420,000 +$335.20 +$64.00
Tier 4 $210,001 to $499,999 $420,001 to $749,999 +$460.90 +$88.30
Tier 5 (Top Tier) $500,000 or more Not provided Not provided Not provided

Use your 2025 income as a starting point for understanding potential Medicare surcharges.

The amounts shown are estimated monthly surcharges per person, added to the standard Part B premium and the applicable Part D plan premium. A $0.00 surcharge does not mean Medicare coverage has no premium.

Understanding the income columns

MAGI means modified adjusted gross income. For IRMAA, Social Security generally uses adjusted gross income plus tax-exempt interest from a tax return two years earlier. The projected 2027 chart therefore uses 2025 income. Married filing separately is not included and may follow different thresholds.

About the incomplete top tier

The supplied Tier 5 row included only the single-filer threshold. Its married-filing-jointly threshold and both monthly surcharges are marked “Not provided” rather than estimated. Income ranges are reproduced in whole dollars as supplied.

Official background: Social Security: Medicare premiums and higher-income rules. This reference explains IRMAA rules; it does not verify the projected values in this chart.

Prepared September 30, 2026 · Planning estimates only · Maryland Medicare Options

For more information on the IRMAA visit: https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/lower-irmaa

Rates shown above are per person, per month and change each year.

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