Some Retirees Will Pay More for Medicare Part B in 2026. Are You One of Them? | The Motley Fool

There's a reason so many people find retirement to be a stressful period of life. Although it's nice not having to report to a job every day, money can easily get tight in retirement -- especially when you factor in healthcare costs. Healthcare tends to be a large expense for people as they get older. And if you're a retiree without a lot of savings , it may be a huge burden. Image source: Getty Images. Part of the problem is that Medicare costs tend to rise from one year to the next year. And 2026 is shaping up to be no exception. In 2026, the standard monthly Medicare Part B premium is rising from $185 to $202.90, an increase of $17.90 per month. That's a pretty large jump from one year to the next, especially when you consider that the annual deductible for Medicare B is also rising from $257 to $283. Also, while Social Security benefits are getting a decent raise in 2026, it's not overly generous. In 2026, Social Security is in line for a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment . The average monthly benefit is expected to rise by $56 once that takes effect, according to the Social Security Administration. But that increase doesn't account for a rise in Part B. When we factor in that extra $17.90, it's going to leave many older Americans with even less of a Social Security raise. But while the standard monthly Medicare Part B premium is rising to $202.90 in the new year, some enrollees will have to pay even more for their Part B coverage. Here's how to know if you're part of that group. Will you be subject to surcharges on your Medicare premiums in 2026? If you're a higher earner, you may be used to losing out on certain tax breaks. Another pitfall of having a higher income is that it may result in you paying more for Medicare. Higher earners are subject to income-related monthly adjustment amounts, or IRMAAs, that can drive up the cost of Medicare Part B. Here's what the income limits and surcharges look like for 2026: If you're single with a modified adjusted gross income of : If you're single with a modified adjusted gross income of : Less than or equal to $109,000 Less than or equal to $218,000 $0.00 $202.90 Greater than $109,000 and less than or equal to $137,000 Greater than $218,000 and less than or equal to $274,000 $81.20 $284.10 Greater than $137,000 and less than or equal to $171,000 Greater than $274,000 and less than or equal to $342,000 $202.90 $405.80 Greater than $171,000 and less than or equal to $205,000 Greater than $342,000 and less than or equal to $410,000 $324.60 $527.50 Greater than $205,000 and less than $500,000 Greater than $410,000 and less than $750,000 $446.30 $649.20 Greater than or equal to $500,000 Greater than or equal to $750,000 $487.00 $689.90 Data source: CMS.gov. Keep in mind that IRMAAs are based on your income from two...

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