Your Complete Guide to Filing IRMAA Appeals and Reducing Medicare Premiums

Social Security Form SSA-44 and IRMAA

Complete guide to the Social Security Form SSA-44 for IRMAA appeals. Learn who needs it, how to complete it, and when to file.

Mark Annese
Mark AnneseSeptember 11, 20236 min read

What is the SSA-44 Form?

The Social Security Administration Form SSA-44 is a vital form for Medicare beneficiaries who want to appeal their IRMAA determination. It allows you to request that Social Security use more recent income data instead of the two-year-old tax return normally used.

The SSA-44 is a four-page document containing detailed questions about your qualifying life-changing event and current income. Filing this form can result in significant Medicare premium savings.

Qualifying Life-Changing Events

You can file Form SSA-44 if you've experienced any of these qualifying events:

Qualifying Events for SSA-44

  • Marriage: Change in filing status affecting income
  • Divorce/Annulment: Loss of spouse's income
  • Death of Spouse: Reduction in household income
  • Work Stoppage: Retirement or significant reduction in work
  • Work Reduction: Reduced hours or compensation
  • Loss of Income-Producing Property: Natural disaster, etc.
  • Loss of Pension: Employer pension termination

How to Complete and Submit Form SSA-44

When completing Form SSA-44, you'll need to provide documentation of your life-changing event and evidence of your reduced income. This typically includes tax returns, W-2s, employer letters, or other official documentation.

Submit the form to your local Social Security office. Financial professionals can help clients gather the necessary documentation and navigate the IRMAA appeal process effectively.

Help Clients Navigate IRMAA Appeals

Our tools help identify when clients qualify for SSA-44 appeals and project savings.

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  • Form SSA-44 enables IRMAA premium appeals
  • Seven qualifying life-changing events recognized
  • Can use more recent income instead of 2-year-old data
  • Documentation of event and reduced income required
  • Submit to local Social Security office
  • Can result in significant premium savings

Related Resources

IRMAA Appeal

Complete appeal guide

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Appealing IRMAA

Appeal process details

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Social Security IRMAA

IRMAA and Social Security

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about our platform and services

What is Form SSA-44?

Form SSA-44 is a Social Security Administration form used to request a new IRMAA determination based on a qualifying life-changing event that has reduced your income.

When should I file Form SSA-44?

File when you've experienced a qualifying life-changing event such as retirement, work reduction, divorce, death of spouse, marriage, loss of income-producing property, or loss of pension benefits.

Who needs to fill out Form SSA-44?

Any Medicare beneficiary who is paying IRMAA surcharges and has experienced a qualifying life-changing event that significantly reduced their income should consider filing Form SSA-44.

Where do I submit Form SSA-44?

You can submit Form SSA-44 to your local Social Security office in person, by mail, or in some cases by phone. Contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 for guidance.

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