Medicare Part D
2026 Medicare IRMAA: What Higher Earners Will Pay
AUSTIN, Texas — If you're on Medicare and your income has crept up, 2026 could bring a surprise in your monthly premium. The income thresholds that trigger the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, or IRMAA, still start above $109,000 for a single filer for 2026, and the surcharges apply to both Part B and Part D. With Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period running Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, this is the moment to check whether an IRMAA letter from Social Security might be headed your way — and what to do about it.
Compare Medicare options near you
Answer 3 quick questions to see Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D listings from licensed insurance partners.
What’s your ZIP code?
Plan availability is set by your county, so we start here.
How old are you?
This helps match you with options you’re eligible for.
Do you have Medicare Parts A & B?
Most Medicare Advantage and Medigap options require both.
These listings are provided by licensed insurance partners.
Will your prescriptions still be covered in 2027?
Part D plans rewrite their drug lists every year — tiers move, pharmacies change, drugs drop off. One call checks your exact medications against the 2027 plans in your area.
- Every prescription checked, name by name
- Your pharmacy checked for preferred pricing
Available now — current wait: 0 min
A real person answers. No phone menu, ever.
Want to see more plan options?
Answer a few more questions to continue to additional options from licensed partners.
Continue →Advertising disclosure: MyMedicarePlans.org may be compensated when you contact a partner or licensed agent. Listings are not ranked or endorsed by us, and we do not recommend specific plans. You can also contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.
Speak to a Licensed Insurance Agent
Click to call 855-729-3240
Key takeaways
- IRMAA is an extra charge added to Part B and Part D premiums for higher-income Medicare beneficiaries, not a late-enrollment penalty.
- For 2026, IRMAA applies to single filers with income above $109,000 and married couples filing jointly above $218,000, based on your 2024 tax return.
- A one-time income spike, like selling a home or a large IRA withdrawal, can trigger IRMAA, but you can file Form SSA-44 if a life-changing event has since lowered your income.
- IRMAA is recalculated each year, so a higher premium now doesn't necessarily mean it will continue in future years.
What IRMAA is, in plain English
IRMAA is an extra amount added to your standard Medicare Part B and Part D premiums when your income is above a set level. It is not a penalty for late enrollment, and it is not tied to any specific plan you choose. It is simply Medicare's way of asking higher-income beneficiaries to pay a larger share of their program costs.
Social Security calculates IRMAA using your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) from your tax return two years earlier. So your 2027 IRMAA is based on your 2025 tax return.
The 2026 income brackets
For 2026, IRMAA kicks in for single filers with MAGI above $109,000 and for married couples filing jointly above $218,000. From there, the surcharge climbs through several tiers, with the highest bracket applying to individuals with MAGI at or above roughly $500,000 (about $750,000 for joint filers).
A few things worth knowing:
- The surcharge on Part B is added to the standard Part B premium and taken directly from your Social Security check (or billed to you).
- The surcharge on Part D is billed separately by Medicare, even if your drug plan premium is paid to a private insurer.
- If you file taxes as married filing separately and lived with your spouse during the year, a different, narrower set of thresholds applies — and IRMAA can start at a much lower income level.
For the exact dollar amounts at each tier, check the official IRMAA tables on medicare.gov, which are updated each year.
Why it can feel like a surprise
Because IRMAA looks back two years, a one-time bump in income — selling a home, taking a large IRA distribution, converting to a Roth, or receiving a bonus — can push you into a higher bracket long after the money is spent. Retirees in Austin and across Travis County often see this the first year after selling a longtime home in a hot market.
The good news: IRMAA is recalculated every year. A single spike in 2024 income doesn't lock you in forever.
How to appeal if life has changed
If you've had a life-changing event that lowered your income, you can ask Social Security to use more recent figures instead. Qualifying events include:
- Marriage, divorce, or the death of a spouse
- You or your spouse stopping work or reducing hours
- Loss of income-producing property (not due to sale)
- Loss or reduction of certain pensions
- A settlement from a former employer
You file Form SSA-44 with documentation. If approved, Social Security recalculates your surcharge — sometimes eliminating it entirely.
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 Travis County
(MA penetration in Travis 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.
What else is changing in 2027
IRMAA isn't the only Medicare number worth watching this fall:
- Part D out-of-pocket cap: $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027.
- Part D maximum deductible: $615 in 2026 and $700 in 2027.
- The coverage gap (the old "donut hole") remains eliminated; Part D now has three phases.
- The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread your drug costs across the year in monthly installments instead of paying large amounts at the pharmacy counter.
These changes apply nationwide, including here in Austin, which sits in Travis County — the county-level footprint used to determine local Medicare Advantage and Part D plan availability.
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 bracket amounts later this fall, typically in November.
| 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 if I only have Original Medicare and no drug plan?
Can I avoid IRMAA by dropping my drug coverage?
I got an IRMAA letter but my income has since dropped. What do I do?
- CMS — Medicare costs & IRMAA (medicare.gov)
For personalized answers, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.