Medicare IRMAA Calculator 2025 – Income-Related Surcharges
Calculate Medicare Part B and Part D IRMAA surcharges based on your income. Understand income thresholds and strategies to reduce premiums in 2025.
Medicare IRMAA Calculator 2025 – Income-Related Surcharges
Introduction
Most people don't realize that Medicare isn't "free" for high earners. If your income exceeds certain thresholds, you'll pay Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts (IRMAA)—surcharges on top of standard Part B and Part D premiums.
For 2025, IRMAA can add $24 to $419.30/month to your Medicare costs depending on income. That's up to $5,031.60/year per person—$10,063 for a married couple!
The Medicare IRMAA Calculator helps you estimate your surcharges, understand the income cliffs, and plan strategies to minimize costs.
2025 IRMAA Income Thresholds
IRMAA is based on your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) from 2 years prior. For 2025 Medicare premiums, they use your 2023 tax return.
Single Filers
| 2023 MAGI | Part B Premium | Part B IRMAA | Part D IRMAA | Total Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ≤$106,000 | $185 | $0 | $0 | $185 |
| $106,001-$133,000 | $185 | $74 | $13.70 | $272.70 |
| $133,001-$167,000 | $185 | $185.50 | $35.30 | $405.80 |
| $167,001-$200,000 | $185 | $296 | $57.00 | $538 |
| $200,001-$500,000 | $185 | $406.90 | $78.60 | $670.50 |
| \u003e$500,000 | $185 | $443.90 | $85.80 | $714.70 |
Married Filing Jointly
| 2023 MAGI | Part B Premium | Part B IRMAA | Part D IRMAA | Total Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ≤$212,000 | $185 | $0 | $0 | $185 |
| $212,001-$266,000 | $185 | $74 | $13.70 | $272.70 |
| $266,001-$334,000 | $185 | $185.50 | $35.30 | $405.80 |
| $334,001-$400,000 | $185 | $296 | $57.00 | $538 |
| $400,001-$750,000 | $185 | $406.90 | $78.60 | $670.50 |
| \u003e$750,000 | $185 | $443.90 | $85.80 | $714.70 |
Key Insight: The brackets create income "cliffs" where $1 extra income can cost you $1,044/year.
The MAGI Calculation
Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) =
AGI + Tax-Exempt Interest + Foreign Earned Income Exclusion
What Counts:
- Wages, salaries
- Self-employment income
- Interest and dividends
- Capital gains
- IRA/401(k) withdrawals
- Roth conversions
- Rental income
- Social Security (if above threshold)
- Municipal ond interest (even though it's tax-free!)
What Doesn't Count:
- Roth IRA withdrawals
- HSA withdrawals (for medical)
- Gifts/inheritance
- Life insurance proceeds
IRMAA Cliff Examples
Example 1: The $1 Mistake
Scenario: Single filer
- 2023 MAGI: $106,001 (just $1 over threshold)
- 2025 Cost: $272.70/month instead of $185/month
- Annual Impact: $1,052 extra for being $1 over
Example 2: Married Couple RMD Spike
Scenario: Retired couple, age 75
- Normal MAGI: $200,000 (no IRMAA)
- One year: Large RMD pushes MAGI to $270,000
- Impact: $1,044/year IRMAA for 2 years (reporting lag + current year)
Strategies to Reduce IRMAA
Strategy 1: Roth Conversions in Low-Income Years
Timing: Convert Traditional IRA to Roth BEFORE age 63 (before Medicare eligibility and IRMAA lookback)
Example:
- Age 60-62: Convert $50k/year to Roth (pay tax now)
- Age 65+: Lower RMDs = lower MAGI = no IRMAA
- Lifetime Savings: $10,000-$30,000 in avoided IRMAA
Strategy 2: Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)
Rule: Age 70.5+, you can donate up to $105,000 (2025 limit) from IRA directly to charity
- Satisfies RMD but doesn't count as income
- Lowers MAGI → reduces IRMAA
Example:
- RMD: $40,000
- QCD: $20,000 to church
- Taxable IRA withdrawal: $20,000
- MAGI Impact: Only $20k instead of $40k
Strategy 3: Tax-Loss Harvesting
Sell losing investments to offset gains, reducing MAGI.
Example:
- Realized Capital Gains: $30,000
- Harvest Losses: $30,000
- Net MAGI Impact: $0 instead of $30,000
Strategy 4: Manage Roth Conversions After 63
If you're already on Medicare, time Roth conversions to stay just below IRMAA brackets.
Example: Single filer
- Max conversion without IRMAA: $106,000 MAGI
- Current MAGI from other sources: $60,000
- Safe Conversion Amount: $46,000
Strategy 5: Delay Social Security
Social Security income counts toward MAGI. Delaying from 62 to 70 can keep you out of IRMAA brackets in early retirement while you do Roth conversions.
IRMAA Appeals and Life-Changing Events
You can appeal IRMAA if you had a "life-changing event" that reduced your income:
Qualifying Events:
- Marriage / divorce / death of spouse
- Work stoppage / reduction
- Loss of income-producing property (sold rental)
- Loss of pension
- Employer settlement payment (one-time spike)
Form: SSA-44 (Medicare Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount – Life-Changing Event)
Example:
- 2023 MAGI: $150,000 (high W-2 income)
- Retired in 2024, income now $80,000
- Appeal using "work stoppage" → IRMAA recalculated based on current income
IRMAA for High Net Worth Retirees
Managing RMDs to Minimize IRMAA
Problem: Large 401(k)/IRA balances create huge RMDs at age 73+
Solution Matrix:
| Starting Balance | Age 73 RMD | Likely IRMAA Tier |
|---|---|---|
| $500,000 | $18,868 | Possibly none |
| $1,000,000 | $37,736 | Tier 1-2 |
| $2,000,000 | $75,472 | Tier 3-4 |
| $5,000,000 | $188,680 | Tier 5 (max) |
Pre-RMD Strategies (Age 60-72):
- Roth conversions (spread tax over years)
- Charitable giving from IRA (age 70.5+)
- QLAC (Qualified Longevity Annuity Contract) to defer RMDs
FAQ
Q: Can I avoid IRMAA by not taking Medicare? A: If you delay Medicare past 65 without creditable coverage, you face lifetime late enrollment penalties. Usually not worth it.
Q: Does IRMAA apply to Medicare Advantage plans? A: Part B IRMAA applies to all Medicare beneficiaries. Part D IRMAA applies if your plan includes drug coverage.
Q: How do I know my IRMAA amount? A: Social Security sends you an "IRMAA Determination Notice." It's also shown on your Medicare premium bill.
Q: Can I prepay to avoid monthly IRMAA bills? A: No, IRMAA is deducted monthly from Social Security benefits or billed quarterly if you don't receive SS.
Q: Does IRMAA ever go away? A: Yes, if your income drops below thresholds in future years, IRMAA is recalculated annually.
Related Calculators
- Retirement Savings Calculator: /calculator/02-retirement-savings-calculator
- RMD Calculator: /calculator/026-rmd-table-calculator
- Tax Bracket Calculator: /calculator/064-tax-bracket-calculator-2025
Conclusion
IRMAA is a stealth tax on retirees that can add tens of thousands to your lifetime Medicare costs. But with proper planning—Roth conversions, QCDs, and income management—you can significantly reduce or eliminate these surcharges.
Use the Medicare IRMAA Calculator to project your costs and plan strategies years in advance. Every dollar of MAGI you can shift or reduce saves you $0.25-$0.85 in IRMAA (depending on your bracket).