The answer
What income triggers IRMAA?
IRMAA, the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, is triggered when your income rises above the first tier: more than $109,000 for a single filer or more than $218,000 for a married couple filing jointly in 2026.
Below those amounts, you pay only the standard Part B and Part D premiums with no surcharge. The income used is your modified adjusted gross income from your tax return two years earlier, so 2026 IRMAA is based on your 2024 income. There are several higher tiers above the first one, and the surcharge grows as income rises. Because it uses a two-year lookback, a year with a one-time income spike, like selling a home, can affect you later. To see how your income lines up, reach out to a licensed Goodsurance advisor at 1-888-301-8091 (TTY 711), Mon to Fri 8 am to 5 pm PT.