Medicare Part D
Medicare IRMAA thresholds for Mobile retirees in 2026
MOBILE, Ala. — As Medicare's fall Annual Enrollment Period runs through Dec. 7, higher-income retirees along the Gulf Coast are getting a fresh look at how their tax returns can quietly push up what they pay for Part B and Part D in 2026. The extra charge is called IRMAA — the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount — and it kicks in above $109,000 in income for a single filer next year, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
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Key takeaways
- IRMAA surcharges start above $109,000 in income for a single filer in 2026, and above $218,000 for a married couple filing jointly.
- Social Security uses your 2024 tax return to set your 2026 IRMAA, so a one-time income spike two years ago can still affect you now.
- If your income has dropped because of a life event like retirement or the loss of a spouse, you can ask Social Security to reconsider using Form SSA-44.
- IRMAA is separate from the new 2026 Part D changes, including the $2,100 out-of-pocket drug cap and the $615 maximum deductible.
If your income sits under that line, IRMAA doesn't apply to you. If it sits above, the surcharge is added to your standard Part B premium and to your Part D premium, and it's billed by Medicare — not by your plan.
What IRMAA actually is
IRMAA is not a penalty and it is not a plan cost. It's an extra amount that higher earners pay on top of the standard Part B premium and on top of whatever their Part D plan charges. Social Security calculates it, Medicare collects it, and it usually comes straight out of your Social Security check.
There are five income tiers above the base threshold. The higher your income, the higher the surcharge — for both Part B and Part D.
The 2026 income thresholds
For 2026, IRMAA begins at these income levels, based on your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI):
- Single filers: above $109,000
- Married filing jointly: above $218,000
- Married filing separately: a much lower threshold applies, generally starting around $106,000
Each tier above those starting points adds more to your monthly Part B and Part D bill. The top tier applies to single filers with income of $500,000 or more and joint filers at $750,000 or more.
Why your 2024 taxes matter in 2026
This is the part that surprises the most readers in Mobile County. Social Security looks back two years to set your IRMAA. So your 2026 surcharge is based on your 2024 tax return — the one you filed this past spring.
That means a one-time bump in 2024 — selling a home, cashing out an IRA, taking a large Roth conversion, or receiving a severance — can raise what you pay for Medicare in 2026, even if your income has since returned to normal.
What to do if your income has dropped
If you've had a qualifying life event that lowered your income, you don't have to just accept the surcharge. You can ask Social Security to use more recent income figures by filing Form SSA-44, "Medicare Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount – Life-Changing Event."
Qualifying events include:
- Retirement or reduced work hours
- Marriage, divorce, or the death of a spouse
- Loss of a pension
- Loss of income-producing property from a disaster or other event outside your control
You'll need documentation — a signed statement, tax return, or letter from a former employer usually does it.
By the numbers
Medicare Part B premium, 2006–2026
The standard monthly Part B premium has climbed from $88.50 in 2006 to $202.90 in 2026. Hover any point for that year’s premium.
Source: CMS. Standard premium shown; in some hold-harmless years many existing enrollees paid less. Confirm at Medicare.gov.
By the numbers
How people get Medicare in Mobile County
(MA penetration in Mobile County)
MA penetration from CMS enrollment data; Medigap share is an estimate. U.S. average is about 54% Medicare Advantage. These are area-level figures, not plan-specific.
How IRMAA fits with the bigger 2026 Part D changes
IRMAA is only one piece of the 2026 drug-cost picture. Even if you owe an IRMAA surcharge on Part D, the broader program changes still apply to you:
- The out-of-pocket cap for covered Part D drugs is $2,100 in 2026.
- The maximum Part D deductible is $615.
- The old coverage gap, or "donut hole," was eliminated in 2025, leaving three simpler phases.
- The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread your drug costs out in monthly installments instead of paying at the pharmacy counter.
Mobile is in Mobile County, where beneficiaries have a range of stand-alone Part D and Medicare Advantage options during Annual Enrollment. Availability and plan details are set at the county level — a good reminder to check what's offered where you actually live, not just statewide.
Key dates to keep in mind
- Oct. 15 – Dec. 7: Medicare Annual Enrollment Period. This is when you can join, switch, or drop a Part D or Medicare Advantage plan for 2026.
- Jan. 1 – March 31: Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period. If you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you get one chance to switch or return to Original Medicare.
If you get an IRMAA letter from Social Security this fall or winter, read it carefully — it will tell you your income tier, the amount, and how to appeal.
Higher-income surcharges
2026 IRMAA income brackets
If your income is above a threshold, you pay an income-related surcharge (IRMAA) on top of your Part B and Part D premiums. Your 2026 surcharge is based on your 2024 tax return.
| Income — single filer | Income — married, joint | Part B monthly premium | Part D surcharge |
|---|---|---|---|
| $109,000 or less | $218,000 or less | $202.90 | Plan premium only |
| $109,001 – $137,000 | $218,001 – $274,000 | $284.10 | + $14.50 |
| $137,001 – $171,000 | $274,001 – $342,000 | $405.80 | + $37.40 |
| $171,001 – $205,000 | $342,001 – $410,000 | $527.50 | + $60.40 |
| $205,001 – $500,000 | $410,001 – $750,000 | $649.30 | + $83.30 |
| Above $500,000 | Above $750,000 | $689.90 | + $91.00 |
Standard Part B premium is $202.90/month. Part D surcharges are added to your drug plan’s premium. Married-filing-separately uses a different, compressed schedule. Confirm current amounts at Medicare.gov.
Try it
Find your 2026 Medicare premium
Most people pay the standard Part B premium. If your 2024 income was higher, an income-related surcharge (IRMAA) applies. Enter your details to see your bracket.
Surcharges are added to your premiums and based on your 2024 tax return. Married-filing-separately uses a different schedule. Confirm at Medicare.gov.
Try it
How the 2026 Part D drug cap works
Slide to your estimated yearly prescription costs and see how the new $2,100 out-of-pocket cap protects you. This illustrates the standard Part D benefit; your plan may structure costs differently.
Once your out-of-pocket spending on covered drugs reaches $2,100, you pay nothing more for the rest of 2026. Confirm details at Medicare.gov.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Does IRMAA apply to everyone on Medicare?
Can I appeal an IRMAA decision?
Is the Part D IRMAA paid to my drug plan?
What if my income changes in 2026?
- CMS — Medicare costs & IRMAA (medicare.gov)
For personalized answers, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.
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This page was last updated: September 2026.