When you become eligible for Medicare and look at how much to budget for your annual health care costs, you’ll need to also factor in your tax-reported income. Medicare has set income limits for people filing individual tax returns, joint tax returns and individuals who are married or living with their spouse at any time during the year and file separate tax returns. These limits are then used to determine adjusted costs for Medicare Part B and Part D premiums.
Depending on how much you make, you may have to pay an income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA) for Part B and Part D. This amount and the income limits Medicare set can both change every year.
In 2021, people with tax-reported incomes over $88,000 (single) and $176,000 (joint) must pay an income-related monthly adjustment amount for Medicare Part B and Part D premiums.
Below are the set income limits and extra monthly costs you could pay for Medicare Part B and Part D based on your tax-reported income.
How Much Will Your Medicare Part B Premium Be?
The tables below show Part B premiums for 2021 by filing status and income level. The IRMAA is based on your reported adjusted gross income from two years ago. For 2021, your Part B premium may be as low as $148.50 or as high as $504.90.
If you file an individual tax return or joint tax return
| Filing Individual Tax Returns | Filing Joint Tax Returns | Total Monthly Part B Premium |
|---|---|---|
| $88,000 or less | $176,00 or less | $148.50 |
| Over $88,000 & Up to $111,000 | Over $176,000 & Up to $222,000 | $207.90 |
| Over $111,000 & Up to $138,000 | Over $222,000 & Up to $276,000 | $297.00 |
| Over $138,000 & Up to $165,000 | Over $276,000 & Up to $333,000 | $386.10 |
| Over $165,000 & Less than $500,000 | Over $333,000 & Less than $750,000 | $475.20 |
| $500,000 or more | $750,000 or more | $504.90 |
If you’re married and file separate tax returns
| Married, Filing Separate Tax Returns | Total Monthly Part B Premium |
|---|---|
| $88,000 or less | $148.50 |
| Over $88,000 & Less than $412,000 | $475.20 |
| $412,000 or more | $504.90 |
How much extra could you pay for Medicare Part D?
With Part D, the extra amount you pay is determined by Medicare based on your tax-reported income, but your total costs will depend on the Part D plan you have. Part D plans are only provided by private insurance companies, so premium amounts will vary.
The table below shows the monthly income amount that will be added to your specific Part D plan premium for 2021 based on filing status and income level.
| Individual Tax Return | Joint Tax Return | Married & Separate Tax Return | Your Part D Monthly Premium (2021) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $88,000 or less | $176,00 or less | $88,000 or less | Your plan’s premium |
| Over $88,000 & Up to $111,000 | Over $176,000 & Up to $222,000 | not applicable | $12.30 + your plan premium |
| Over $111,000 & Up to $138,000 | Over $222,000 & Up to $276,000 | not applicable | $31.80 + your plan premium |
| Over $138,000 & Up to $165,000 | Over $276,000 & Up to $333,000 | not applicable | $51.20 + your plan premium |
| Over $165,000 & Less than $500,000 | Over $333,000 & Less than $750,000 | Above $88,000 & Less than $412,000 | $70.70 + your plan premium |
| $500,00 and above | $750,000 and above | $412, 000 and above | $77.10 + your plan premium |
Paying for Medicare Premiums Tips: Your HSA and Employer Health Plan
From the above, you can see you may face higher costs for Medicare than you originally thought. That’s why you should consider two things – a health savings account plan (HSA) and if you have employer health coverage.
If you have an HSA and must get Medicare at age 65, the good news is that you can use your HSA funds to pay for Medicare costs including Part B and Part D premiums.
If you have an employer health plan that’s considered creditable coverage – either yours or your spouse’s – you may be able to delay enrolling Medicare. This is a key consideration if your employer health plan costs less than what you may pay with Medicare.
