If you have Medicare Part B or Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, your monthly costs could look drastically different than the standard rates. High-income retirees are subject to the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) — a progressive surcharge added directly to your Medicare premiums if your income crosses specific thresholds.
Understanding how the projected 2027 IRMAA brackets are calculated and how the two-year tax lag impacts you is essential to preserving your retirement savings. Failing to plan for these thresholds can trigger an unexpected financial "cliff," where a single dollar of excess income can cost you thousands in annual surcharges.