2026 IRMAA Brackets & Income Limits
The full 2026 IRMAA brackets and Medicare income limits for Part B and Part D: single and married-filing-jointly income thresholds, what you'll pay, and how to lower or appeal IRMAA.
IRMAA (the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) is an extra charge added to your Medicare Part B and Part D premiums when your income is above a set limit. For 2026, IRMAA starts once your 2024 income (MAGI) is more than $109,000 (single) or more than $218,000 (married filing jointly). If your income is below those limits, you pay the standard Part B premium of $202.90/month and no Part D surcharge.
New to Medicare and not sure how IRMAA fits in? Start with our complete guide to turning 65, then come back here for the income details.
2026 IRMAA brackets and Medicare income limits
Medicare uses a two-year lookback: your 2026 premiums are based on the Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) reported on your 2024 tax return. The table below is the complete set of 2026 income limits, for both single filers and married couples filing jointly. People search for these same numbers as the "2026 IRMAA brackets," the "Medicare income limits," the "IRMAA income thresholds," or the "Medicare income brackets," they all point to the amounts here.
| 2024 income (single filer) | 2024 income (married filing jointly) | Part B premium (2026) | Part D surcharge (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $109,000 or less | $218,000 or less | $202.90 | $0.00 |
| $109,001 to $137,000 | $218,001 to $274,000 | $284.10 | +$14.50 |
| $137,001 to $171,000 | $274,001 to $342,000 | $405.80 | +$37.50 |
| $171,001 to $205,000 | $342,001 to $410,000 | $527.50 | +$60.40 |
| $205,001 to $499,999 | $410,001 to $749,999 | $649.20 | +$83.30 |
| $500,000 or more | $750,000 or more | $689.90 | +$91.00 |
Source and date: premium and IRMAA amounts are the official figures released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on November 14, 2025 for the 2026 calendar year. This page is for general information and updates each fall when CMS releases new numbers.
2026 IRMAA brackets for married filing jointly
If you file a joint return, IRMAA is based on your combined 2024 MAGI, and every income limit is double the single-filer amount. The first surcharge begins once your joint MAGI is above $218,000. Here are the 2026 married-filing-jointly brackets on their own:
| 2024 income (married filing jointly) | Part B premium (2026) | Part D surcharge (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| $218,000 or less | $202.90 | $0.00 |
| $218,001 to $274,000 | $284.10 | +$14.50 |
| $274,001 to $342,000 | $405.80 | +$37.50 |
| $342,001 to $410,000 | $527.50 | +$60.40 |
| $410,001 to $749,999 | $649.20 | +$83.30 |
| $750,000 or more | $689.90 | +$91.00 |
Married filing separately
If you are married but file separately and lived with your spouse during the year, different limits apply:
| 2024 income (married filing separately) | Part B premium (2026) | Part D surcharge (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| $109,000 or less | $202.90 | $0.00 |
| $109,001 to $391,000 | $649.20 | +$83.30 |
| $391,001 or more | $689.90 | +$91.00 |
What is IRMAA?
IRMAA is not a separate bill. It is added on top of your normal Medicare premiums and, for most people, deducted from your Social Security check. It applies to two parts of Medicare:
- Part B (medical insurance): a higher monthly Part B premium.
- Part D (prescription drug coverage): a monthly surcharge added to whatever your drug plan already charges. This applies whether you have a standalone Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage plan that includes drug coverage.
Only about 7 to 8% of people with Medicare pay IRMAA. If you do, the exact amount depends on which income bracket you fall into.
How is IRMAA calculated?
Social Security looks at your MAGI (your Adjusted Gross Income plus any tax-exempt interest) from two years prior. For 2026, that is your 2024 return. If that number crosses a bracket, you will get a letter from Social Security telling you the adjusted amount. IRMAA is a cliff, not a phase-in: going $1 over a threshold moves you into the entire next bracket.
How to avoid or lower IRMAA
If your income has dropped since 2024, or a major life event changed your finances, you may not have to pay the amount Social Security first calculates. Common ways to reduce IRMAA:
- Appeal a life-changing event. If you retired, stopped working, lost a pension, or went through a divorce or the death of a spouse, you can ask Social Security to use your current income instead. See our guide on how to appeal IRMAA with Form SSA-44.
- Plan around the brackets. Because IRMAA is a cliff, keeping MAGI just under a threshold (through the timing of withdrawals, Roth conversions, or capital gains) can save you the whole surcharge. A tax professional can help.
- Correct an error. If Social Security used outdated or amended tax data, you can ask them to update it.
For a broader look at what you'll pay, see the full 2026 Medicare costs breakdown, how income impacts Medicare costs, and Medicare premiums and taxes. If your income is on the lower end, you may qualify for help through the Medicare Savings Programs instead.
Common questions about IRMAA
What does IRMAA stand for?
Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, the surcharge added to Medicare Part B and Part D premiums for higher earners.
Are the IRMAA brackets, Medicare income limits, and income thresholds the same thing?
Yes. "IRMAA brackets," "Medicare income limits," "IRMAA income thresholds," "IRMAA tax brackets," and "Medicare income brackets" are all names people use for the same set of numbers: the income levels where your Part B and Part D surcharges change. The 2026 figures are in the tables above.
What income is used to determine IRMAA?
Your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) from two years earlier. For 2026 premiums, that is your 2024 tax return.
How much is the Part D IRMAA in 2026?
The Part D surcharge is added on top of whatever your drug plan already charges, and it rises with each income bracket. Check the "Part D surcharge" column in the tables above for the 2026 amount at your income level.
Why does Medicare use my income from two years ago?
Social Security uses the most recent tax return the IRS has finalized, which is normally two years old. If your income has dropped since then because of a life-changing event, you can appeal to have your current income used instead.
How do I know if I have to pay IRMAA?
Social Security mails you a predetermination notice if your income crosses a bracket. You can also compare your 2024 MAGI to the table above.
Does the hold-harmless rule protect me from IRMAA?
No. The hold-harmless rule can limit how much your standard Part B premium rises in a given year, but it does not apply to IRMAA. If your income crosses a bracket, the surcharge is added regardless.
Does IRMAA apply to Medicare Advantage?
The Part B IRMAA applies no matter how you get your Medicare. If your Medicare Advantage plan includes drug coverage, the Part D IRMAA is added too.
Is IRMAA permanent?
No. It is recalculated every year from your most recent tax data, so it can go up, down, or away as your income changes.
Not sure which bracket you're in, or think you're being charged too much? A licensed Medicare Advocate can walk through your situation and help you plan, at no cost. Give us a call.