Medicare Part D
2026 Medicare IRMAA: Who Pays Extra Above $109,000
STAMFORD, Conn. — With Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period running Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, higher earners in Fairfield County are getting a fresh look at something that surprises a lot of new enrollees: the income-related monthly adjustment amount, better known as IRMAA. For 2026, the surcharge kicks in for single filers with income above $109,000, and it applies on top of standard Part B and Part D premiums.
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Click to call 855-729-3240Key takeaways
- Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period runs Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, and higher earners may see an income-related monthly adjustment amount, or IRMAA, added to their premiums.
- For 2026, IRMAA starts for single filers with income above $109,000 and for married couples filing jointly with income above $218,000.
- Social Security bases IRMAA on income from your tax return from about two years earlier, so 2026 amounts generally come from your 2024 return.
- The extra dollar amounts added to Part B and Part D premiums at each income tier are published by CMS on medicare.gov and can be checked before major financial decisions.
Stamford retirees, here's what higher-income surcharges look like in 2026
If that number caught your eye, you're not alone. IRMAA is one of the most misunderstood pieces of Medicare, partly because the income Social Security uses isn't this year's income — it's usually from two tax years ago.
What IRMAA actually is
IRMAA is an extra amount some people pay on Part B (doctor visits, outpatient care) and Part D (prescription drugs) because their income is above a set threshold. It isn't a penalty. It's a surcharge tied to your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI), and it's set by Social Security using your most recent tax return on file — for 2026, that generally means your 2024 return.
Two important things to know:
- IRMAA is per person. In a married couple where both spouses are on Medicare, each pays their own surcharge if their joint income crosses a threshold.
- It's tiered. There are several income brackets, and moving into a higher one — even by a dollar — bumps you to the next surcharge level.
The 2026 income thresholds
For 2026, IRMAA begins above $109,000 for single filers and above $218,000 for married couples filing jointly. From there, the surcharge steps up through several higher brackets, topping out for single filers with income at or above $500,000 (and $750,000 for joint filers).
The exact dollar amount added to your Part B and Part D premiums at each tier is published by CMS on medicare.gov. Because those figures update annually, it's worth checking the current chart before you file, sell an asset, or take a large distribution.
Why this matters right now in Stamford
Fairfield County has a higher share of retirees with investment income, pension income, and real estate gains than the national average. That means a Roth conversion, a sold rental property, or an unusually large capital gain in 2024 could push a Stamford household above the 2026 threshold — even if this year's paycheck looks modest.
For plan choices, Stamford is in Fairfield County, where Medicare Advantage and stand-alone Part D options are set at the county level. If you want to see how many plans and carriers serve your ZIP code, the Plan Finder at medicare.gov shows the current count and lets you compare.
What you can do if IRMAA hits you
You have real options, and none of them involve just accepting a letter you didn't expect:
- Request a reconsideration. If you had a "life-changing event" — retirement, a spouse's death, divorce, loss of pension income, or a work stoppage — you can file Form SSA-44 with the Social Security Administration to ask that IRMAA be recalculated using your current income instead of a two-year-old return.
- Plan around the brackets. A tax advisor can help you look at Roth conversions, charitable giving, or the timing of withdrawals so a single year doesn't unexpectedly push you into a higher tier.
- Check your Part D options during AEP. IRMAA is added to your Part D premium regardless of which drug plan you pick, but your base premium and drug coverage still vary. The Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15–Dec. 7) is the window to compare.
A quick note on 2026 drug costs
Even without IRMAA in the picture, Part D looks different in 2026:
- The out-of-pocket cap for covered drugs is $2,100.
- The maximum Part D deductible is $615.
- The old coverage gap (the "donut hole") is gone — Part D now has three phases.
- The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread your drug costs across the calendar year in monthly installments instead of paying a big bill at the pharmacy counter.
These changes apply nationwide, including here in Stamford.
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.
Key dates
Medicare enrollment periods at a glance
- Around your 65thInitial Enrollment PeriodA 7-month window around the month you turn 65 — your first chance to sign up.
- October 15 – December 7Annual Enrollment PeriodAnyone with Medicare can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan.
- January 1 – March 31Medicare Advantage Open EnrollmentIf you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can make one change.
- January 1 – March 31General Enrollment PeriodFor people who missed their first chance to sign up for Part B.
- VariesSpecial Enrollment PeriodTriggered by life events like moving or losing other coverage.
Dates are set by Medicare and apply nationwide. Confirm your personal windows at Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE.
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.
Explore
When can you enroll? An interactive year
Enrollment windows are federal and the same nationwide. Confirm your personal dates at Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Why is Social Security using my 2024 income to set my 2026 premium?
If I'm just $500 over the threshold, do I really pay the full surcharge?
Does IRMAA go away if my income drops later?
- CMS — Medicare Part D program rules (medicare.gov)
For personalized answers, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.