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IRMAA guides
Every guide uses the official 2026 figures, works through a real example in dollars, and cites Medicare, Social Security or the IRS. Start with the basics or jump to the question you have.
Basics
How IRMAA works, which income counts and how it is collected.
What is IRMAA?
The six tiers, who pays and what each costs.
The two-year lookback
Which year's income sets each premium year.
MAGI for IRMAA
What counts, line by line from Form 1040.
IRMAA vs tax brackets
Why one dollar over costs a full tier.
The Part D surcharge
Paid to Medicare, even with a $0 plan.
IRMAA and Medicare Advantage
Why switching plans does not avoid it.
IRMAA and your Social Security check
Net benefit by tier and the hold-harmless gap.
IRMAA FAQ
Short, sourced answers to common questions.
Planning
Keep income below the next cliff, or cross it on purpose.
Roth conversions and IRMAA
Size each conversion to your headroom.
IRMAA planning at 63
The first income year that counts.
RMDs and IRMAA
When required distributions push you over.
Using QCDs to lower IRMAA
Give from your IRA and lower MAGI.
Capital gains and IRMAA
How much gain fits under the cliff.
Selling a home and IRMAA
The exclusion and the gain above it.
How to lower IRMAA: 10 strategies
Every lever, with timing.
Appeals
When a life change or an error means you are paying too much.
Couples & survivors
Joint limits, the separate-filing trap and the widow's penalty.
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