Medicare Is Costing More in 2026

For 2026, the standard Medicare Part B premium is $202.90 per month, up from $185 in 2025. The annual Part B deductible is $283, up from $257 in 2025. Some higher-income beneficiaries pay an additional surcharge on top of their standard Part B and Part D premiums, known as the income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA).

For most people who file federal income tax returns, 2026 IRMAA begins when modified adjusted gross income is above $109,000 for an individual or above $218,000 for a married couple filing jointly. Different thresholds apply to married individuals who lived with their spouse during the year but filed a separate tax return.

Moving into a higher IRMAA tier can increase monthly Medicare costs.

For example, in the first 2026 Part B IRMAA tier, a person pays $284.10 per month for Part B rather than the standard $202.90. If that person has Part D prescription drug coverage (including a Medicare Advantage plan that includes drug coverage), the Part D IRMAA surcharge for that tier is $14.50 per month, in addition to the person’s Part D plan premium.

Social Security generally uses income information from a federal tax return from two years earlier to determine IRMAA. As a result, income decisions that affect modified adjusted gross income may impact Medicare costs in a future year. A qualifying life-changing event may allow Social Security to use more recent income information.

This is especially relevant if you’re retiring and transitioning to Medicare, since your Medicare premiums may initially be based on income from when you were still working.

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