My Medicare premium went up because of my income (IRMAA), but my income dropped. How do I get it lowered?

Health insuranceAppealChecked Nov 5, 2026

From K.Actuary, founded by Sangmin Kwon, ASA · sources checked 2026-11-05 · Source: eCFR · 20 CFR 418.1135 · § 418.1135(a) View original ↗

In short

The extra charge uses your tax return from 2 years ago.
If a big life change cut your income, ask Social Security to use a newer year.
If you think the decision is wrong, ask for a new look within 60 days.

What this means

The extra amount is called the income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA). Social Security usually uses your income from the tax year 2 years before [1]. In 2026 the standard Part B premium is $202.90 a month [2]. It is higher if your income was over $109,000 (single return) or $218,000 (joint return) [2].

Social Security will use a newer tax year if four things are true. You had a big life change. It cut your income enough to lower or end the extra amount. You ask. And you send proof [3]. Life changes on the list: your spouse died; you married; you divorced; you or your spouse stopped work or cut hours; you lost property that made income, in some cases; or a job pension plan was stopped or cut [4].

If you think the decision is wrong (for example, the income number is wrong), you can ask for a new look. The rule says to file within 60 days after you receive the notice [5]. Social Security accepts oral requests too [6].

Your next step

Gather proof of the life change (for example, a retirement letter or death certificate) and your newer income. Contact Social Security and ask to use a more recent tax year. If the decision is wrong, ask for reconsideration.

Deadline: 60 days after you receive the notice (for reconsideration).

Check it yourself

Your IRMAA notice from Social Security shows which tax year and income it used. Social Security's own IRMAA page did not load for our check (no answer from ssa.gov), so the form name and where to send it — "Don't know yet"; ask Social Security.

Where this comes from (6)

[1] eCFR · 20 CFR 418.1135 · § 418.1135(a) · checked 2026-11-05
In general, we will use your modified adjusted gross income provided by IRS for the tax year 2 years prior to the effective year of the income-related monthly adjustment amount determination.
[2] CMS · 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles (fact sheet, Nov. 14, 2025) · checked 2026-11-05
The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B enrollees will be $202.90 for 2026, an increase of $17.90 from $185.00 in 2025. … Less than or equal to $109,000 Less than or equal to $218,000 $0.00 $202.90 Greater than $109,000 and less than or equal to $137,000 Greater than $218,000 and less than or equal to $274,000 $81.20 $284.10
[3] eCFR · 20 CFR 418.1201 · § 418.1201(a)-(d) · checked 2026-11-05
We will use a more recent tax year than the years described in § 418.1135(a) or (b) to reduce or eliminate your income-related monthly adjustment amount when all of the following occur: … You experience a major life-changing event as defined in § 418.1205 ; and … That major life-changing event results in a significant reduction in your modified adjusted gross income … You request that we use a more recent tax year's …
[4] eCFR · 20 CFR 418.1205 · § 418.1205(a)-(f) · checked 2026-11-05
Your spouse dies; … You marry; … Your marriage ends through divorce or annulment; … You or your spouse stop working or reduce the hours you work; … You or your spouse experiences a loss of income-producing property, provided the loss is not at the direction of you or your spouse … You or your spouse experiences a scheduled cessation, termination, or reorganization of an employer's pension plan;
[5] eCFR · 20 CFR 404.909 · § 404.909(a)(1) · checked 2026-11-05
We shall reconsider an initial determination if you or any other party to the reconsideration files a written request— … Within 60 days after the date you receive notice of the initial determination
[6] eCFR · 20 CFR 418.1340 · § 418.1340 · checked 2026-11-05
We will accept oral requests as well as the written requests required in subpart J of part 404 of this chapter for requesting administrative review of our determination.

How we found this

We matched your question to 6 official sources, quoted the exact lines, and re-checked each quote against its source on 2026-11-05.

What we don’t know yet

Your own plan or notice may say something different. If your letter cites another rule, send it and we will look again.

Every answer is checked against the official rule it quotes.

Information only — not legal advice. Your plan, insurer or agency decides.

This answer quotes the official sources listed above, with the date we checked them. Your own policy, notice and state rules control. We are not your lawyer or your insurer. We don’t file, argue or negotiate claims for you — you send any letter or form yourself.

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