Medicare Part D
Medicare IRMAA Thresholds for 2027 Facing Athens Retirees
ATHENS, Ga. — As Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period runs through Dec. 7, many higher-income retirees in Athens are opening letters from Social Security about something called IRMAA — the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount. For 2026, those extra charges on Part B and Part D premiums kick in for single filers with income above $109,000, and for joint filers above $218,000, according to CMS guidance on Medicare costs.
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Key takeaways
- In 2026, IRMAA surcharges on Part B and Part D premiums apply to single filers with income above $109,000 and joint filers above $218,000.
- Your 2027 IRMAA amount will be based on your 2025 tax return, and Social Security will mail a notice explaining the charge and how to appeal.
- If your income dropped due to a qualifying life-changing event, you can file Form SSA-44 to ask Social Security to recalculate or possibly eliminate the surcharge.
- The Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027, and the maximum deductible is $615 in 2026 and $700 in 2027. IRMAA applies the same way whether you choose Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage.
Athens seniors, here's how the 2027 income surcharges work
If you've had a raise, sold a home, taken a large IRA distribution, or picked up consulting work in retirement, this is the piece of Medicare you'll want to understand before your January premium hits.
What IRMAA actually is
IRMAA isn't a separate bill. It's an add-on to your regular Part B premium (which covers doctor visits and outpatient care) and your Part D premium (prescription drugs). Social Security calculates it automatically using your most recent tax return on file with the IRS — usually two years back. So your 2027 surcharge will be based on your 2025 modified adjusted gross income (MAGI).
If you owe an IRMAA, Social Security mails you a notice explaining the amount and how to appeal.
The 2027 income brackets, in plain language
Surcharges rise in tiers. Here's how the thresholds line up for 2026:
Single filers (or married filing separately who lived apart):
- $109,000 or less — no surcharge
- Above $109,000 up to $137,000 — Tier 1
- Above $137,000 up to $171,000 — Tier 2
- Above $171,000 up to $205,000 — Tier 3
- Above $205,000 up to $500,000 — Tier 4
- Above $500,000 — Tier 5 (the top surcharge)
Joint filers:
- $218,000 or less — no surcharge
- Above $218,000 up to $274,000 — Tier 1
- Above $274,000 up to $342,000 — Tier 2
- Above $342,000 up to $410,000 — Tier 3
- Above $410,000 up to $750,000 — Tier 4
- Above $750,000 — Tier 5
Married filing separately who lived with your spouse follows a different, compressed set of thresholds — check medicare.gov for the exact figures.
Each tier raises both your Part B and your Part D premium. The Part D piece is billed by Social Security (or deducted from your check), even if your drug plan premium itself is paid separately.
Why 2027 matters for Part D
Two 2026 changes make the Part D side of IRMAA feel different this year. The Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,100 in 2026 ($2,400 in 2027), and the maximum Part D deductible is $615. The old "donut hole" coverage gap is gone as of 2025 — there are now three phases instead of four. On top of that, the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread drug costs across the year in monthly installments rather than paying big amounts at the pharmacy counter.
None of that erases IRMAA — but it does mean the total picture of what you pay for drug coverage in 2027 is more predictable than it used to be.
What to do if your income has dropped
This is the part most people miss. If your income today is meaningfully lower than it was in 2024 because of a life-changing event, you can ask Social Security to recalculate. Qualifying events include:
- Marriage, divorce, or the death of a spouse
- You or your spouse stopped working or cut hours
- Loss of an income-producing property (not by sale)
- Loss or reduction of a pension
- A settlement from a former employer
You file Form SSA-44 with documentation. If approved, the surcharge is adjusted — sometimes eliminated entirely. Selling a house or taking a one-time IRA withdrawal isn't on the qualifying list, but those often fall off your return two years later anyway.
A quick local note on picking coverage
Athens is in Clarke County, where retirees choose between Original Medicare (often paired with a standalone Part D drug plan and sometimes a Medigap policy) and Medicare Advantage plans that bundle drug coverage in. IRMAA applies the same way regardless of which path you take — it's tied to your income, not your plan. Clarke County residents comparing options during AEP can use the Plan Finder at medicare.gov to see what's offered locally.
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 Clarke County
(MA penetration in Clarke 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.
Higher-income surcharges
2027 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 2027 surcharge will be based on your 2025 tax return. CMS publishes the 2027 income brackets and surcharge amounts later in the fall, along with the Part B premium.
| 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
Q: I got an IRMAA letter but my income is way down now. What do I do?
Q: Does IRMAA come out of my Social Security check?
Q: If I switch to a cheaper Part D plan during AEP, does my IRMAA go down?
- CMS — Medicare costs & IRMAA (medicare.gov)
For personalized answers, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.