With the announcement of the August CPI-U the 2024 Brackets are official, they will increase by over 5.00% to start at $103, 000 for an individual.
Now please keep in mind that at any point between now and the beginning of the 2024 Congress or the current Presidential Administration can alter these Medicare IRMAA Brackets, but if they do not then there will be at least a little bit of good news for seniors.
Official 2024 IRMAA Brackets
| Single | Couple MAGI | Part B | Part D |
|---|---|---|---|
| < $103, 000 | < $206, 000 | $174.70 | Premium (varies) |
| $103, 000 to $129, 000 | $206, 000 to $258, 000 | $244.60 | $12.90 |
| $129, 000 to $161, 000 | $258, 000 to $322, 000 | $349.40 | $33.30 |
| $161, 000 to $193, 000 | $322, 000 to $386, 000 | $454.20 | $53.80 |
| $193, 000 to $500, 000 | $386, 000 to $750, 000 | $559.00 | $74.20 |
| > $500, 000 | > $750, 000 | $594.00 | $81.00 |
How the IRMAA Brackets adjust:
When Congress created Medicare IRMAA back in 2003 through the passing of the Medicare Moderniztion Act, they ruled that the IRMAA Brackets would adjust by
“The percentage (if any) by which the average of the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (United States city average) for the 12-month period ending with August of the preceding calendar year exceeds such average for the 12-month period.”
So, if the CPI-U at the end of August of the current year is greater than the previous August then the IRMAA Brackets will increase. Note the inflation rate does not determine IRMAA costs but the IRMAA amount itself.
By the way there is no language that would stop the IRMAA Brackets from going down if the CPI-U would actually deflate from year to year.
In terms of the all the thresholds within the IRMAA Brackets, due to the passing of the Bi-Partisan Budget Act of 2018 the 5th Threshold in the IRMAA Brackets will not adjust for inflation until 2028.
What are the IRMAA Brackets:
According to the Social Security Administration (SSA) the IRMAA Brackets are a:
“Set of tables containing modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) ranges and income-related monthly adjustment amounts (IRMAA). There are 3 tables, each based on a person’s income tax filing status.”
The IRMAA Brackets and surcharges/ plan premium, according to a person tax filing status in 2023 are: Single, head of household or qualifying widow(er) with dependent child, married filing jointly, and married filing separately. Many Medicare beneficiaries who are exploring options may consider Medicare Advantage plans, which can offer additional benefits beyond what traditional Medicare covers.
| Single, head of household or qualifying widow(er) with dependent child | ||
| MAGI | Part B Premium is | Part D Premium is |
| < $97, 000 | $164.90 | Premium (varies) |
| $97, 000 to $123, 000 | $230.80 | Premium + $12.20 |
| $123, 000 to $153, 000 | $329.70 | Premium + $31.50 |
| $153, 000 to $183, 000 | $428.60 | Premium + $50.70 |
| $183, 000 to $500, 000 | $527.50 | Premium + $70.00 |
| > $500, 000 | $560.50 | Premium + $76.40 |
| Tax Filing Status: Married, filing jointly | ||
| MAGI | Part B Premium is | Part D Premium is |
| < $194, 000 | $164.90 | Premium (varies) |
| $194, 000 to $246, 000 | $230.80 | Premium + $12.20 |
| $246, 000 to $306, 000 | $329.70 | Premium + $31.50 |
| $306, 000 to $366, 000 | $428.60 | Premium + $50.70 |
| $366, 000 to $750, 000 | $527.50 | Premium + $70.00 |
| > $750, 000 | $560.50 | Premium + $76.40 |
| Tax filing Status: Married, Filing Separately | ||
| MAGI | Part B Premium is | Part D Premium is |
| < $97, 000 | $164.90 | Premium (varies) |
| $97, 000- $403, 000 | $527.50 | Premium + $70.00 |
| >$403, 000 | $560.50 | Premium + $76.40 |
What the 2024 IRMAA Brackets, by law are:
| Single, head of household or qualifying widow(er) with dependent child | ||
| MAGI | Part B Premium is | Part D Premium is |
| < $102, 000 | $174.80 | Premium (varies) |
| $102, 000 to $130, 000 | $244.70 | Premium + $12.90 |
| $130, 000 to $161, 000 | $349.50 | Premium + $33.30 |
| $161, 000 to $193, 000 | $454.40 | Premium + $53.80 |
| $193, 000 to $500, 000 | $559.20 | Premium + $74.20 |
| > $500, 000 | $594.20 | Premium + $81.00 |
| Tax Filing Status: Married, filing jointly | ||
| MAGI | Part B Premium is | Part D Premium is |
| $204, 000.00 | $174.80 | Premium (varies) |
| $204, 000 to $260, 000 | $244.70 | Premium + $12.90 |
| $260, 000 to $322, 000 | $349.50 | Premium + $33.30 |
| $322, 000 to $386, 000 | $454.40 | Premium + $53.80 |
| $386, 000 to $750, 000 | $559.20 | Premium + $74.20 |
| > $750, 000 | $594.20 | Premium + $81.00 |
| Tax filing Status: Married, Filing Separately | ||
| MAGI | Part B Premium is | Part D Premium is |
| < $103, 000 | $174.80 | Premium (varies) |
| $102, 000- $403, 000 | $559.20 | Premium + $74.20 |
| >$403, 000 | $594.20 | Premium + $81.00 |
What is IRMAA:
IRMAA is short for Medicare’s Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount which is according to the Code of Federal Regulations:
“An amount that you will pay for your Medicare Part B and D coverage when your modified adjusted gross income is above the certain thresholds.”
IRMAA is a tax on your income through Medicare Part B and Part D coverage if you have too much income while in retirement. To potentially lower your expenses, consider shopping for Medicare through recommended platforms to ensure you receive the best rates and benefits, especially if you’re interested in Medicare Advantage plans.