IRMAA Income Limits 2023

In the world of Medicare, "higher-income" beneficiaries are those who have a MAGI above specific limits. If your income crosses these thresholds, you'll pay additional surcharges on top of the standard Part B and Part D premiums.

The 2023 IRMAA income limits started at $97,000 for individuals and $194,000 for married couples filing jointly. Understanding these thresholds is the first step to managing your Medicare costs effectively.

Your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) — which includes your AGI plus tax-exempt interest income — is the key figure that determines your IRMAA tier. View the full 2023 IRMAA brackets for complete details.

IRMAA for 2023 was determined using your tax return from two years prior (2021). The IRS shares your income data with the Social Security Administration, which then determines your premium tier.

Understanding the difference between AGI and MAGI is crucial — AGI includes all taxable income minus certain deductions, while MAGI adds back tax-exempt interest income. This distinction can mean the difference between paying standard premiums and facing significant surcharges. Learn more about how IRMAA is calculated.

There are several effective strategies for managing your IRMAA exposure:

Learn more about comprehensive strategies to reduce your MAGI and minimize IRMAA surcharges.

Certain life-changing events can qualify you for a new IRMAA determination. If you've experienced retirement, divorce, death of a spouse, or a significant income reduction, you may be able to appeal your IRMAA.

The IRMAA appeal process uses Form SSA-44 to request that Social Security use more recent income data instead of the two-year-old tax return. This can result in significant premium savings.