Are Your 2026 IRMAA Brackets Higher Than Last Year?

What are the 2025 IRMAA brackets?

For coverage in 2025, IRMAA is based on your 2023 Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI). For example:

• Single filer: up to roughly $106,000 → standard premium only.
• Joint filer: up to roughly $212,000 → standard premium only.

Above these thresholds, surcharges begin and rise steeply.

In 2025, the standard Part B premium is $185/month for most beneficiaries. For those subject to IRMAA, surcharges range from about $74 to $443.90/month on Part B alone. A single large transaction is often what lifts someone over a threshold, which is why a one-time gain still counts against a premium set two years later.

What the data suggest for 2026

While official 2026 brackets aren't finalized, many analysts project:

• The first threshold (no surcharge) might shift to around $109,000 for single filers and $218,000 for joint filers.
• Surcharges will increase modestly — e.g., lowest surcharge tier rising from ~$74 to ~$82.60/month.
• The "cliff effect" remains: go just one dollar over the threshold and you jump to the next tier.

Why higher-income retirees should pay attention now

Because IRMAA is based on your MAGI two years prior, your 2024 income will determine your surcharge in 2026. That means decisions you make this year (e.g., Roth conversions, large asset sales, withdrawals) could push you into a higher bracket.

Also, since the thresholds may only rise modestly (often tied to inflation), many retirees who barely exceed a threshold could face much larger costs in 2026.

How to plan and reduce IRMAA risk

Here are five proactive steps:

1. Estimate your MAGI now — review your 2024 tax plan and consider if your income might exceed the likely threshold (≈ $107K single / $214K joint).
2. Delay or spread large income events — if possible, avoid bunching income into one year (e.g., capital gains, large distributions).
3. Use tax-sheltered strategies — such as qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) or Roth conversions done strategically, to help reduce taxable MAGI.
4. Monitor for life-changing events — if your income falls due to a job loss, marriage, or death of a spouse, you may file Form SSA-44 with the Social Security Administration to appeal your IRMAA surcharge.
5. Compare plan types — for some, switching to a different plan type (Original Medicare + Medigap, or Advantage) may change how IRMAA applies; our Tools page can help estimate your costs.

Internal linking: Why this fits your larger coverage strategy

Need a refresher on how parts A, B, D and Advantage work together? Visit our Medicare Basics page. If you're mapping plan types and costs, check out our Compare Plans section.