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

2026 IRMAA Brackets for Individuals and Couples The IRMAA 2026 brackets distinguish between filing statuses. For individuals, the lowest threshold starts around $106,000; for married couples filing jointly, it’s approximately $212,000. These numbers reflect inflation adjustments from previous years. If your income is under these amounts, you’ll pay standard premiums. However, crossing into the next IRMAA brackets 2026 means higher Medicare premiums that scale with income. The brackets are tiered, so planning ahead—especially for high-income earners—can help avoid unnecessary charges. Reviewing these limits yearly is important to avoid surprises when Medicare notices arrive in late fall 2025.