What Income Counts Toward IRMAA MAGI in 2026?
For Medicare IRMAA, your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) generally starts with adjusted gross income (AGI) from Form 1040, line 11, then adds tax-exempt interest from line 2a.…
Health Insurance & Medicare Archive
Previous guides on health plans, HSAs, Medicare enrollment, IRMAA, appeals and annual coverage reviews.
How Medicare Calculates IRMAA: MAGI, Lookback & Surcharge
Medicare generally determines IRMAA by looking back two years to your federal tax information, taking the IRMAA MAGI for that tax year, and comparing it with the income…
How to Avoid IRMAA in 2026: 9 Strategies That Can Help
According to Kiplinger, the average high-income beneficiary pays $3,847 per year in Medicare Part B and Part D surcharges. But what if I told you that with proper planning, you could reduce…
How to Appeal Your 2026 IRMAA Medicare Surcharge: SSA-44 Form Guide
You must use Form SSA-44 (Medicare Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount; Life-Changing Event) to file an IRMAA appeal with the Social Security Administration (SSA). This form allows you to request a reduction in…
2027 IRMAA Brackets Release Date: Official vs. Projected
As of September 2, 2026, the official 2027 Medicare Part B premium and IRMAA income-threshold table has not been released. There is no guaranteed annual release date. Recent…
2026 IRMAA Brackets: Medicare Part B & Part D Costs
The 2026 IRMAA brackets start above $109,000 of modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) for most single filers and above $218,000 for married couples filing jointly. Medicare uses your…
How to Use an HSA as a Retirement Account in 2026
Yes, an HSA can be one of the strongest retirement accounts available—but only after you pass three gates: eligibility, liquidity, and exit planning. The tax treatment is unusually…
How to Choose a Health Insurance Plan (2027 Guide)
Choosing a health insurance plan gets easier once you stop trying to find the “best” plan and start eliminating plans that do not fit your life. The right…
How to Lower Health Insurance Premiums in 2027
If you are trying to lower health insurance premiums for 2027, start with the lever that can change the bill the most in one step, if you qualify:…