2026 Medicare IRMAA Tax & What To Do - February 2026

Oct 12, 2026

February 2026 guidance on Medicare premium surcharges explained through Part B and Part D charges and the Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA). Covers 2026 IRMAA tier concepts based on 2024 MAGI, standard Part B and variable Part D premiums, and how higher income can increase monthly costs. Includes a two-year lookback description, a “cliff” surcharge application example, RMD effects on MAGI, and strategies such as reducing MAGI and using Roth conversions to help mitigate future surcharges.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time4 min

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2026 Medicare Income Planning

Part B and D Charges

Combination Chart - IRMAA Monthly Surcharges (Based on 2024 MAGI)

Medicare Planning Points

Income Reduction Strategies

2026 Medicare IRMAA Tax & What To Do Utilizing the following documents Hans and Tom discuss Medicare in the video titled “2026 Medicare IRMAA Tax & What To Do”. The information and opinions contained herein are provided by third parties and have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, however, we make no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. The information is nü intended to be used as the sole basis for ﬁnancial decisions, nor should it be construed as advice designed to meet the particular needs of an individual’s situation. Content is provided for informational purposes only and is nü a solicitation to buy or sell any products mentioned. Hans Scheil and/or Cardinal Advisors are NOT aﬃliated with or represent the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), Social Security Administration (SSA), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), or any of their various programs like Medicare. Membership to Ed Slüt’s Master Elite IRA Advisor Group™ was granted in November of 2012 for Hans Scheil and in October of 2022 for Thomas Griﬃth. Ed Slüt’s Master Elite IRA Advisor Group is solely an indication that the ﬁnancial advisor has attended training provided by Ed Slüt and Company, maintained an Elite IRA Advisor Group™ membership for two or more years, passed bi-annual examinations on material covered at conferences and in webinars and met üher membership requirements and does nü constitute an endorsement of any kind. Ed Slüt’s Elite IRA Advisor Group™ members pay a fee for the educational programs that allow them to be included in the Ed Slüt’s Elite IRA Advisor Group™ . Membership does nü guarantee investment success. Feb. 2026 2026 Medicare Income Planning | Part B and D Charges | | --- | | The Medicare health care system is largely government funded, but individuals pay premiums to participate in two portions of it.
Medicare charges premiums to participants in Medicare Part B, covering doctor visits, and Part D, the prescription drug benefit. In 2026, the basic premium for Part B is $202.90 per month. The premium for Part D varies by plan.
The standard premiums for these are increased by surcharges imposed on upper-income individuals, those with Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) exceeding $109,000 on an individual return or $218,000 on a joint return.
In 2026, the largest premium surcharges apply to persons with MAGI of $500,000 or over on a single return or $750,000 or over filing jointly.
The extra amount that higher-income individuals must pay is called an Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) . The first five IRMAA tiers for Medicare premium surcharges are adjusted for inŃation each year. This could result in reduced Medicare premiums for some. The IRMAA tier for individuals earning $500,000 or more (or married couples with MAGI of $750,000 or more) will not be adjusted until 2028. | | Combination Chart-Parts B and D | | --- | | 2026 IRMAA MONTHLY SURCHARGES FOR MEDICARE PART B AND PART D (Based on 2024 MAGI)
Filing Single Married filing joint IRMAAPSaurtrcBharge TotalPPrarmBium IRMAAPSaurcrt Dharge TotalPoatsuBrhaDrges
$109,000 or less $218,000 or less $0.00 $202.90 $0.00 $0.00 | |
Over $109,000 to $137,000 Over $218,000 to $274,000 $81.20 $284.10 $14.50 $95.70 | | Over $137,000 to $171,000 Over $274,000 to $342,000 $202.90 $405.80 $37.50 $240.40 | | Over $171,000 to $205,000 Over $342,000 to $410,000 $324.60 $527.50 $60.40 $385.00 Over $205,000 to less than $500,000 Over $410,000 to less than $750,000 $446.30 $649.20 $83.30 $529.60 $500,000 and above $750,000 and above $487.00 $689.90 $91.00 $578.00 | | IRMAA surcharges apply on a “cliff” basis. Reaching the first dollar of an IRMAA income level causes the full corresponding surcharge to apply to all premiums paid for the year. | | Example:
If Bob has MAGI of as much as $109,000 on his single return, he’ll owe no surcharge. But if

FAQs

What is IRMAA and when does it apply to Medicare premiums?

IRMAA is the Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount added as surcharges for higher-income individuals. It applies when MAGI exceeds set thresholds for Medicare Part B and Part D premiums.

How does the 2-year lookback work for determining 2026 IRMAA?

For IRMAA purposes, Medicare uses MAGI from the federal tax return from two years earlier. To determine higher premiums for 2026, Medicare uses 2024 MAGI.

What is meant by IRMAA surcharges applying on a “cliff” basis?

Reaching the first dollar of an IRMAA income level causes the full corresponding surcharge to apply to all premiums paid for the year. A small increase can trigger the entire higher-tier surcharge.

Oct 12, 2026

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