Form SSA-44 allows retirees to reduce or eliminate IRMAA surcharges based on pre-retirement income if filed within 60 days.
Retirees facing Medicare’s Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) surcharge may pay up to $1,148 annually based on pre-retirement income. Filing Form SSA-44 can erase or reduce this fee if post-retirement modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) falls below thresholds of $109,000 for single filers or $218,000 for joint filers.
The surcharge applies to roughly 8% of Medicare Part B enrollees, using a two-year lookback on MAGI. For example, 2024 income determines 2026 premiums, often penalizing retirees whose earnings drop after leaving the workforce. Delaying the form costs about $96 monthly at Tier 1, with no refunds for late filings.
Widows and widowers may also qualify if a spouse’s death pushes them above the single-filer threshold. A death certificate serves as qualifying proof for the adjustment.