MEDICARE IRMAA 2026 FREE DOWNLOAD

Learn why many retirees pay more than expected and how smart planning can help reduce the damage.

Many retirees assume their Medicare premiums are fixed. They’re not.

In 2026, thousands of high-income retirees will pay hundreds—or even thousands—more per year for Medicare Part B and Part D without realizing why it happened until after the bill arrives.

The reason? IRMAA.

And once it hits, there’s very little you can do retroactively.

IRMAA does not phase in gradually. Go $1 over a threshold, and you may trigger:

• Higher Part B premiums for the entire year 
• Additional monthly Part D charges 
• No partial relief if income only spikes briefly
   

Many retirees accidentally fall into IRMAA because of:

• A single Roth conversion 
• One-time capital gains 
• Selling a business or investment 
• Poorly timed retirement withdrawals
   

Most don’t realize what caused it until Medicare sends the notice.

Why “Tax-Free” Income Isn’t Always Safe

One of the most misunderstood IRMAA rules?

• Some income that feels tax-efficient still counts.
• Even income many retirees assume is harmless can quietly push them into a higher Medicare bracket.

This is where well-meaning DIY planning often backfires.

IRMAA Isn’t Just a Medicare Problem—It’s a Planning Problem

IRMAA is really about coordination:

• When you draw income
• Which accounts you use
• How withdrawals stack together in a single year.

Without a strategy, retirees often:

• Trigger IRMAA unnecessarily
• Pay it for multiple years
• Lose flexibility later when Required Minimum Distributions begin.