Quick answer
The standard Medicare Part B premium is $202.90 a month in 2026, with a $283 yearly deductible. CMS hasn’t announced the 2027 numbers yet. Medicare’s trustees project a premium of about $209.50 a month and a deductible of about $292, and CMS usually confirms the real figures in November. If your income is higher, you’ll pay more through IRMAA, which in 2026 starts above $109,000 for single filers and $218,000 for joint filers, based on your tax return from two years earlier.
Key takeaways
- The standard Part B premium is $202.90 a month in 2026, up $17.90 from 2025, and the deductible is $283.
- The 2027 premium isn’t official yet. The Medicare trustees’ June 2026 report projects about $209.50 a month and a $292 deductible.
- IRMAA adds $81.20 to $487.00 a month to the Part B premium in 2026 for people with higher incomes, plus a separate add-on for Part D.
- Social Security uses the tax return from two years earlier, so 2026 premiums are generally based on 2024 income.
- If your income dropped because of retirement, divorce, a spouse’s death or another life-changing event, you can ask Social Security to lower your IRMAA with Form SSA-44.
On this page
Part B premium and deductible for 2026 and 2027
| 2026 (official) | 2027 (projected) | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard monthly premium | $202.90 | About $209.50 |
| Yearly deductible | $283 | About $292 |
Most people pay the standard premium. If you get Social Security benefits, the premium is usually taken out of your monthly payment. After you meet the deductible, you generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for most Part B services, like doctor visits and outpatient care.
The timing of the official announcement matters if you’re comparing plans. Medicare’s open enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, and the 2027 premium probably won’t be public until it’s well underway. See Medicare open enrollment for what to check before the deadline.
How IRMAA works
IRMAA, short for income-related monthly adjustment amount, is an extra charge on top of the standard Part B premium (and on top of your Part D plan’s premium) for people with higher incomes. Social Security decides whether you owe it using your modified adjusted gross income from two years earlier. For 2026 premiums, that’s generally your 2024 tax return. If the IRS only has your 2023 return on file, Social Security uses that one, and you can ask for a new decision once your newer return is filed.
| Your 2024 income (single) | Your 2024 income (joint) | Total Part B premium, 2026 | Part D add-on, 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $109,000 or less | $218,000 or less | $202.90 | $0 |
| Over $109,000 up to $137,000 | Over $218,000 up to $274,000 | $284.10 | $14.50 |
| Over $137,000 up to $171,000 | Over $274,000 up to $342,000 | $405.80 | $37.50 |
| Over $171,000 up to $205,000 | Over $342,000 up to $410,000 | $527.50 | $60.40 |
| Over $205,000 and under $500,000 | Over $410,000 and under $750,000 | $649.20 | $83.30 |
| $500,000 or more | $750,000 or more | $689.90 | $91.00 |
Because IRMAA is per person, a married couple over the joint threshold each pays the higher amount. A one-time jump in income, like a large capital gain or a Roth conversion, can push you into a higher bracket two years later, so it’s worth planning big withdrawals with that lag in mind.
How to lower IRMAA if your income dropped
If your income has gone down since the tax year Social Security used, you can ask for a new decision with Form SSA-44, the life-changing event form. Social Security lists these qualifying events:
- Marriage
- Divorce or annulment
- Death of your spouse
- Loss of income
- An employer settlement payment, such as one tied to a company’s bankruptcy or closure
Form SSA-44 has the complete list, including events tied to stopping or cutting back on work, which is the most common reason people use it after retiring. You can submit the form through your online Social Security account, by mail or fax to your local office, in person, or by calling 1-800-772-1213. If you filed an amended tax return that lowers your income, tell Social Security about that too.
This is a different process from challenging a late-enrollment penalty, which is about when you signed up rather than your income. See Medicare late enrollment penalties for that.
Help paying the Part B premium
If your income and savings are low, a Medicare Savings Program can pay your Part B premium, and some also cover deductibles and coinsurance. These programs are run by your state Medicaid office.
| Program | What it pays | Monthly income limit, 2026 (single / couple) |
|---|---|---|
| QMB | Part B premium, plus Part A premium if you owe one, and most deductibles and coinsurance | $1,350 / $1,824 |
| SLMB | Part B premium | $1,616 / $2,184 |
| QI | Part B premium (apply each year; first come, first served) | $1,816 / $2,455 |
Several states don’t count savings at all for these programs, including Alabama, Delaware, Louisiana, Maine, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, Washington and DC. California went the other way and brought back a savings limit on January 1, 2026. Getting into a Medicare Savings Program also wipes out any Part B late-enrollment penalty. For other low-income options, see health insurance for the elderly.
More on Medicare: late enrollment penalties, working past 65, Medigap Plan G vs. Plan N, Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap, Medicare open enrollment and who is eligible for Medicare.
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Frequently asked questions
What will the Medicare Part B premium be in 2027?
CMS hasn’t announced it yet. The Medicare trustees project about $209.50 a month, up from $202.90 in 2026, and the official number usually comes out in November.
What are the IRMAA brackets for 2026?
IRMAA starts when your 2024 income was above $109,000 for a single filer or $218,000 for joint filers. The total Part B premium then ranges from $284.10 to $689.90 a month, depending on your income.
Which year’s income does Medicare use for IRMAA?
Social Security generally uses your tax return from two years earlier. For 2026 premiums, that’s your 2024 return, or your 2023 return if that’s the latest one the IRS has.
Can I appeal IRMAA?
Yes. If your income dropped because of a life-changing event like retirement, divorce or a spouse’s death, file Form SSA-44 with Social Security. You can also ask for a new decision if Social Security used an older or incorrect tax return.
Sources
- CMS: 2026 Medicare Parts A and B premiums and deductibles
- MOAA: Medicare report estimates future Part B premiums
- Social Security: Premiums, rules for higher-income beneficiaries
- Social Security: Lower your IRMAA
- Medicare.gov: Medicare Savings Programs
- NCOA: 2026 Medicare Savings Programs eligibility and coverage (PDF)
This article is general information, not tax, legal or financial advice. The 2027 figures shown are projections and will be replaced once CMS announces the official amounts. Last reviewed September 2026.