Medicare IRMAA in 2026
Higher income can increase your Medicare Part B and Part D costs even when your coverage itself has not changed.
IRMAA is an income-related surcharge
IRMAA stands for Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount. It can increase what higher-income beneficiaries pay for Part B and Part D. For 2026, CMS says the first income-related tier begins above $109,000 of modified adjusted gross income for an individual return and above $218,000 for a joint return.
2026 Part B IRMAA brackets
| 2024 tax-return MAGI used for 2026* | 2026 total Part B premium |
|---|---|
| Individual ≤ $109,000 / Joint ≤ $218,000 | $202.90 |
| Individual $109,000–$137,000 / Joint $218,000–$274,000 | $284.10 |
| Individual $137,000–$171,000 / Joint $274,000–$342,000 | $405.80 |
| Individual $171,000–$205,000 / Joint $342,000–$410,000 | $527.50 |
| Individual $205,000–$500,000 / Joint $410,000–$750,000 | $649.20 |
| Individual ≥ $500,000 / Joint ≥ $750,000 | $689.90 |
*Medicare generally uses tax information supplied by the IRS; Social Security determines IRMAA. Married filing separately has different thresholds.
Part D can have an IRMAA too
Higher-income beneficiaries can also owe a Part D income-related adjustment in addition to the plan’s premium. The adjustment is generally paid to Medicare rather than to the drug plan.
A life-changing event can matter
If income has fallen because of certain life-changing events, Social Security has a process for requesting a new IRMAA determination. Medicare plan selection itself does not remove an IRMAA surcharge.
Primary sources
This guide is based on current information from Medicare.gov and CMS. Rules can change, so verify time-sensitive details before acting.