Is Medicare Part B tied to income?

Asked by: Kevon Gaylord  |  Last update: August 7, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (68 votes)

The monthly Part B premium that includes an income-related adjustment for 2025 will range from $259.00 to $628.90, depending on the extent to which an individual beneficiary's modified adjusted gross income exceeds $106,000 (or $212,000 for a married couple).

Does Medicare Part B depend on income?

If you have a higher income, you'll pay an additional premium amount for Medicare Part B and Medicare prescription drug coverage. We call the additional amount the “income-related monthly adjustment amount.” Here's how it works: Part B helps pay for your doctors' services and outpatient care.

Does everyone pay $170 for Medicare Part B?

Most people pay no premiums for Part A. For Medicare Part B in 2025, most beneficiaries will pay $185 per month. Certain factors may require you to pay more or less than the standard Medicare Part B premium in 2025.

Will my Medicare premiums go down if my income goes down?

If you've had a life-changing event that reduced your household income, you can ask to lower the additional amount you'll pay for Medicare Part B and Part D.

How to calculate modified adjusted gross income for Medicare Part B?

Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) is the sum of:
  1. the beneficiary's adjusted gross income (AGI) (found on line 11 of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax filing form 1040), plus.
  2. tax-exempt interest income (line 2a of IRS Form 1040).

How Your Income Affects Your Medicare Premium

20 related questions found

What income level triggers higher Medicare premiums?

If you earn more than $106,000 ($212,000 if you're married), you pay higher monthly rates for both Medicare Part B and D. Currently insured? It's free, simple and secure. For 2025, your costs for Medicare Parts B and D are based on the income on your 2023 tax return.

What is considered your modified adjusted gross income?

MAGI is adjusted gross income (AGI) plus these, if any: untaxed foreign income, non-taxable Social Security benefits, and tax-exempt interest. For many people, MAGI is identical or very close to adjusted gross income. MAGI doesn't include Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Why is Social Security no longer paying Medicare Part B?

There could be several reasons why Social Security stopped withholding your Medicare Part B premium. One common reason is that your income has exceeded the threshold for premium assistance. Another reason could be that there was a mistake or error in your records.

What income is used to determine Medicare premiums in 2024?

What income is counted for Medicare premiums? Your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI), which includes total gross income and certain non-taxable Social Security benefits, determines your Medicare premium.

Does everyone pay the same for Medicare Part B?

Additionally, people with higher incomes may pay more than the standard Part B premium amount due to an “income-related monthly adjustment.” The adjustment is based on adjusted gross income reported 2 years prior. The table below shows 2025 Part B premium amounts.

How to avoid paying Medicare Part B?

To drop Part B (or Part A if you have to pay a premium for it), you usually need to send your request in writing and include your signature. Contact Social Security.

Is Medicare Part B free if you're over 65?

You have to pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part B (medical insurance). If you already have other health insurance when you become eligible for Medicare, you may wonder if it's worth the monthly premium costs to sign up for Part B. The answer varies with each person and the kind of other health insurance you have.

What are the top 5 medicare supplement plans?

💬 From our Nerds: What are the top five Medicare supplement plans? "Based on NerdWallet's Medigap rubric, I picked five best Medicare Supplement Insurance companies for 2025: AARP/UnitedHealthcare, Mutual of Omaha, State Farm, Anthem and Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Does Medicare check your income every year?

Each fall, when we ask the IRS for information to determine next year's premiums, we ask for tax information to verify your reports of changes affecting your income-related monthly adjustment amounts, if any. We also ask the IRS for your two-year-old MAGI if we've temporarily used three-year-old MAGI.

Who is exempt from paying Medicare Part B premiums?

Enrollees who have Medicaid, employer-sponsored health coverage, or retiree health benefits from an employer generally don't have to pay the full Medicare Part B deductible, as the other coverage picks up some or all of the cost (this varies depending on the plan).

Does the sale of a house count as income for Medicare premiums?

Home sales.

If your capital gain from the sale of a home exceeds the exclusion amount ($250,000 for individuals, $500,000 for joint filers), it will be treated as taxable income. So, if you made a sizable profit downsizing, it could show up in your IRMAA calculation two years later.

Who pays a higher part B premium because of income?

Medicare beneficiaries with incomes above $103,000 for individuals and $206,000 for married couples are required to pay higher premiums. The amount you pay depends on your modified adjusted gross income from your most recent federal tax return.

How do you qualify for $144 back from Medicare?

To be eligible for the Medicare Part B Giveback Benefit, you must:
  1. Be enrolled Original Medicare (Parts A and B)
  2. Pay your own Part B premium.
  3. Live in the service area of a plan that offers a Part B giveback.

Can I deduct Medicare Part B premiums on my taxes?

Can you deduct Medicare Part B payments on your taxes? You can, but only if medical expenses exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income and you're itemizing deductions.

Is Part B Medicare ever free?

Part B is a voluntary program that requires the payment of a monthly premium for all parts of coverage. Eligibility rules for Part B depend on whether a person is eligible for premium-free Part A or whether the individual has to pay a premium for Part A coverage.

Why would you decline Medicare Part B?

In most cases, you should only decline Part B if you have group health insurance from an employer you or your spouse is actively working at, and that insurance is primary to Medicare, meaning it pays before Medicare does.

What are the income limits for extra help with Medicare Part B?

You should contact Social Security for other resource exclusions. What is the income limit? To be eligible for Extra Help, your annual income must be limited to $22,590 for a person or $30,660 for a married couple living together. Even if your annual income is Page 7 3 higher, you may still be able to get some help.

How to lower your modified adjusted gross income?

Contribute to retirement accounts: One of the most effective ways to lower your MAGI is by contributing to retirement accounts. You can deduct contributions you've made to traditional IRAs, 401(k)s, and other retirement plans from your gross income, which can reduce your AGI and subsequently your MAGI.

Is adjusted gross income your actual income?

Your adjusted gross income (AGI) is your total (gross) income from all sources minus certain adjustments listed on Schedule 1 of Form 1040. Your AGI is calculated before you take your standard or itemized deduction on Form 1040.

What is the standard deduction for 2024?

Standard deduction 2024

The standard deduction for 2024 (tax returns filed in 2025) is $14,600 for single filers and married people filing separately, $21,900 for heads of household, and $29,200 for joint filers and surviving spouses.