Retirement Starts Today The Medicare Charge That's Taking a Bigger Bite Out of Social Security Checks
Mar 16, 2026
They unpack how rising Medicare premiums and IRMAA surcharges can eat into Social Security COLA increases. They explain IRMAA brackets, projected premium hikes, and why top tiers may rise faster than benefits. Practical moves to manage MAGI and avoid costly income cliffs are covered. They also discuss persuading older relatives to spend more and a story about finding purpose teaching tango in retirement.
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IRMAA Can Offset Social Security Cost Of Living Raises
- IRMAA can erase Social Security COLA gains because Medicare surcharges are tied to projected health costs, not inflation.
- Benjamin Brandt cites a Wall Street Journal example of a widow whose net benefit fell after a 2.8% COLA due to rising Part B/Part D IRMAA charges.
Fixed Top IRMAA Brackets Eat Into Future Incomes
- Top IRMAA brackets (e.g., $500k single, $750k joint) are fixed and not indexed, so inflation will pull more people into higher tiers over time.
- Brandt notes lower brackets are adjusted but the highest tiers remain round numbers and likely grow less fair with inflation.
Monitor Income Two Years Ahead And Leave Margin
- Monitor modified adjusted gross income because IRMAA is based on tax-year income two years prior and a single dollar over a threshold triggers the higher tier for a full year.
- Brandt warns to leave a margin of safety and avoid planning to a literal dollar to prevent costly IRMAA cliffs.
