Medicare Part D
Athens, GA Part B & Part D Surcharges 2027
ATHENS, Ga. — With Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period running through Dec. 7, higher-income retirees in Athens and across Clarke County are getting a fresh look at something that often catches people off guard: the income-related surcharge that can raise monthly Part B and Part D premiums in 2027.
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Key takeaways
- Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, giving people a chance to review their coverage for 2027.
- Starting in 2026, the income-related surcharge called IRMAA kicks in once a single filer's income tops $109,000, or $218,000 for a married couple filing jointly, based on tax returns from two years earlier.
- If your income has dropped since then due to a life change like retirement or the death of a spouse, you can file Form SSA-44 with Social Security to have your surcharge recalculated.
- People enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan get another chance to make one coverage change between Jan. 1 and March 31.
The rules haven't changed dramatically, and the 2027 income thresholds will be published by CMS later this fall. That matters if you filed a tax return two years ago that pushed you just over a line. Here's what to know before you finalize your coverage decisions this fall.
What IRMAA actually is
IRMAA stands for the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount. It's an extra amount added to your standard Part B premium — and, separately, to your Part D premium — if your income is above certain thresholds. It is not a penalty. It's a surcharge based on your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) from two years back. So your 2027 premiums are generally based on the tax return you filed for 2025.
For 2026, IRMAA begins to apply when a single filer's MAGI is above $109,000, or above $218,000 for a married couple filing jointly. Below those numbers, you pay only the standard Part B premium and whatever your Part D plan charges.
The tiers climb quickly
IRMAA is not a smooth slope. It works in brackets, so being even a dollar over a threshold can bump you into a higher tier. Above the first threshold, single filers move up through several income brackets, with the top tier reserved for incomes at or above $500,000 (single) or $750,000 (joint). At each step, both your Part B and your Part D premiums increase by set dollar amounts published by CMS.
The Social Security Administration is the agency that actually notifies you if IRMAA applies. If you get that letter, don't ignore it — but also don't panic. There is an appeals path.
Life-changing events can reset your bracket
If your income dropped since 2025 because of a life-changing event — retirement, the death of a spouse, divorce, loss of pension income, or a work stoppage — you can ask Social Security to use more recent income instead. This is done using Form SSA-44. Many people who recently retired in Athens qualify to have their surcharge reduced or removed this way, but you have to file the form and provide documentation.
Part D in 2027: the bigger picture
IRMAA is only one piece of your Part D cost. In 2027, a few program-wide changes continue to reshape drug coverage:
- The out-of-pocket cap on covered prescription drugs is $2,100 in 2026 ($2,400 in 2027). Once you hit that, you pay $0 for covered drugs the rest of the year.
- The maximum Part D deductible is $615 in 2026 ($700 in 2027), though plans can set it lower.
- The old "donut hole" coverage gap is gone. Part D now has three phases: deductible, initial coverage, and catastrophic.
- The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread your yearly drug costs across monthly payments instead of paying large amounts at the pharmacy counter. It's optional and free to opt into.
These changes apply nationwide, including here in Clarke County.
What Athens shoppers should focus on this AEP
Athens is in Clarke County, where Medicare beneficiaries have access to both Original Medicare (with optional Medigap and standalone Part D) and Medicare Advantage plans offered by private insurers. Plan availability, formularies, and provider networks are set at the county level, so two neighbors just outside Clarke County may see a different lineup.
During the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 – Dec. 7), you can:
- Switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage.
- Join, change, or drop a Part D drug plan.
- Change Medicare Advantage plans.
If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan and want to make one change, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs Jan. 1 – March 31.
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
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 2027 surcharge is based on your 2025 tax return. CMS publishes the 2027 brackets and surcharge amounts later this fall, typically in November; the figures shown below are for 2026.
| 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
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
Q: I'll be just over $109,000 in 2024 income. Will I really pay IRMAA in 2026?
Q: Does IRMAA come out of my Social Security check?
Q: If I switch Part D plans during AEP, does my IRMAA change?
- CMS — Medicare Part D program rules (medicare.gov)
For personalized answers, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.