Most retirees celebrate the annual Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), but many don’t realize that even a modest increase can quietly push them into a higher Medicare IRMAA bracket. That shift can trigger hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars in extra Medicare Part B and Part D premiums the following year. For seniors living on fixed incomes, this surprise can feel like a raise that disappears before it ever hits the bank. Here’s what you need to know about the overlooked link between Social Security COLA and Medicare IRMAA brackets.
