Medicare Part D
Waldorf, Md.: 2027 Medicare IRMAA Guide
WALDORF, Md. — With Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period running through Dec. 7, Charles County residents reviewing their 2027 coverage are getting a clearer picture of how income can quietly change what they pay for Part B and Part D next year. For some Waldorf households, a raise, a Roth conversion, or a one-time capital gain from two years ago could mean a bigger monthly bill.
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Key takeaways
- Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period runs through Dec. 7, and it's a good time to check how income affects your 2027 Part B and Part D costs.
- IRMAA is not a penalty—it's an extra amount added to your Part B and Part D premiums if your income is above certain levels, and most people don't pay it.
- Your 2027 premiums are based on your income from your 2025 tax return, so a one-time income bump two years ago could still raise your costs next year.
- If you've had a life-changing event like retirement, a spouse's death, or reduced work hours, you can file form SSA-44 with Social Security to ask them to use more recent income instead.
Here is what to know before you finalize your choices this fall.
What IRMAA is, in plain English
IRMAA stands for the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount. It is not a penalty. It is an extra amount added to your standard Part B premium and your Part D premium if your income is above a certain level.
Social Security looks at your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) from two years ago to decide. So your 2027 Medicare premiums are based on your 2025 tax return.
Most people pay only the standard premiums. IRMAA applies to a smaller group of higher-income beneficiaries.
The income thresholds that trigger IRMAA
For 2026, IRMAA surcharges kick in when income rises above these levels:
- Single filers: more than $109,000
- Married filing jointly: more than $218,000
Above those numbers, the surcharge grows in tiers — the higher your income, the higher the add-on for both Part B and Part D. At the top tier (roughly $500,000 single / $750,000 joint), the surcharges are the largest.
For the current standard premium amounts and the exact IRMAA tables, check medicare.gov/basics/costs.
Why Waldorf retirees should look twice this fall
Waldorf sits in Charles County, where the mix of federal retirees, contractors, and long-time homeowners means a fair number of households cross IRMAA thresholds without expecting to. Common triggers include:
- Selling a home in a hot market
- A Roth IRA conversion
- Required Minimum Distributions starting at age 73
- A working spouse's bonus or severance
- Cashing out investments after a strong year
Because 2027 premiums use 2025 income, a one-time bump two years ago can still show up in next year's Social Security check.
What you can do if income has dropped
If you had a life-changing event — retirement, the death of a spouse, divorce, loss of a pension, or reduced work hours — you can ask Social Security to reconsider your IRMAA using more recent income. The form is SSA-44, and you file it with documentation. This is one of the most overlooked steps for newly retired Waldorf residents.
Part D is changing in bigger ways than the surcharge
Even without IRMAA, drug coverage continues to shift. A few figures to keep in mind:
- The Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027. Once you hit it, you pay nothing more for covered drugs the rest of the year.
- The maximum Part D deductible is $615 in 2026 and $700 in 2027.
- The old coverage gap ("donut hole") is gone — Part D now works in three simpler phases.
- The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread your drug costs across the year in monthly installments instead of paying a large amount at the pharmacy counter.
These changes apply nationwide, including Charles County.
Key dates to keep on the fridge
- Oct. 15 – Dec. 7: Annual Enrollment Period. Change Part D or Medicare Advantage for 2027.
- Jan. 1 – Mar. 31: Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment. A second window if you're already on an MA plan and want to switch.
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 Charles County
(MA penetration in Charles 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
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. The 2027 brackets have not yet been published by CMS; the 2026 brackets are shown below for reference.
| 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 just retired. Will Medicare use my old, higher salary?
Q: Does IRMAA go away on its own if my income drops?
Q: Are the IRMAA thresholds different in Maryland?
- CMS — Medicare Part D program rules (medicare.gov)
For personalized answers, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.