"Mastering the 2026 IRMAA Brackets: A Strategic Guide to Lowering Medicare Premiums"

How IRMAA 2026 Affects Medicare Costs Medicare premiums aren’t the same for everyone. With IRMAA 2026, your income from 2024 determines if you pay more. The 2026 IRMAA brackets apply a surcharge to Medicare Parts B and D when your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) passes certain levels. These surcharges increase in steps, not gradually, so even a small increase in income could push you into a higher bracket. Understanding how the IRMAA brackets 2026 are calculated gives retirees a chance to reduce their future Medicare costs by planning withdrawals, Roth conversions, or charitable giving in advance.