The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published the 2026 Medicare Part B premiums and Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) income thresholds on November 14, 2025. These updates establish surcharges based on 2024 tax returns.

For joint filers with a 2024 Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) up to $218,000, the 2026 Medicare Part B standard premium is $202.90 per person. The IRMAA income threshold for joint filers is $218,000, while for single filers, it is $109,000. Social Security generally uses a beneficiary's 2024 tax return to set the 2026 Medicare IRMAA; MAGI is defined as adjusted gross income on Form 1040 line 11 plus tax-exempt interest on line 2a.

Joint filers with a 2024 MAGI between $218,001 and $274,000 will pay a 2026 Medicare Part B premium of $284.10 per person, in addition to a $14.50 Part D IRMAA add-on. For those with a 2024 MAGI between $274,001 and $342,000, the Part B premium is $405.80 per person, alongside a $37.50 Part D IRMAA add-on. If the 2024 MAGI for joint filers falls between $342,001 and $410,000, the premium will be $527.50 per person, with a $60.40 Part D IRMAA add-on.

Joint filers whose 2024 MAGI ranges between $410,001 and under $750,000 will incur a 2026 Medicare Part B premium of $649.20 per person and an $83.30 Part D IRMAA add-on. For joint filers with a 2024 MAGI of $750,000 and above, the Part B premium is $689.90 per person, with a $91.00 Part D IRMAA add-on. At the first joint IRMAA tier, the surcharge increases Part B premiums by $1,948.80 per couple annually compared to the standard premium, and the combined Part D IRMAA add-on totals $348 for the year.

Form SSA-44 allows the Social Security Administration to use a more recent, lower income year when determining Medicare IRMAA, departing from the standard two-year lookback. This form is applicable only if a specific life-changing event caused the income decrease. The qualifying life-changing events include marriage, divorce or annulment, death of a spouse, work stoppage, work reduction, certain losses of income-producing property, loss of pension income, and an employer settlement payment. Retirement can qualify as work stoppage. When one spouse dies, the survivor may eventually file as single, and the single IRMAA brackets are approximately half of the joint brackets. Events such as Roth conversions, voluntary home sales, large capital gains, and inherited IRA distributions generally do not qualify for Form SSA-44 relief.

Why It Matters

The updated premiums and income thresholds set by CMS for 2026 affect Medicare Part B beneficiaries, particularly those subject to IRMAA, which impacts approximately 8% of beneficiaries. The financial implications for individuals and couples vary based on their income levels and filing status. The provisions of Form SSA-44 allow for adjustments in specific circumstances where a recent life event might have altered an individual's financial situation not reflected by older tax returns.