What You Need to Know About the 2026 Medicare Part B Premium & Deductible

(And What It Means for Your Retirement Planning)

Medicare planning is one of the most important financial and healthcare decisions someone making the transition into retirement can face. In 2026, key cost changes for Medicare Part B—the portion of Medicare that pays for outpatient care like doctor visits, outpatient procedures, preventive services, and durable medical equipment—have been officially released, and they carry meaningful implications for anyone approaching age 65 or already enrolled.

Understanding these numbers is about more than just budgeting—it’s about planning your retirement wisely, managing healthcare expenses with intention, and avoiding surprises later.

Published on January 1st, 2026

2026 Part B: What's Changing

Monthly Premium

For 2026, the standard Medicare Part B premium will be $202.90 per month — up from $185 in 2025.

This represents a $17.90 increase, or nearly a 10% bump over 2025. Part B premiums are typically deducted directly from Social Security benefits, which means many beneficiaries won’t write a separate check—but the impact still comes out of the same retirement budget.

Annual Deductible

For 2026, the Medicare Part B premium will be $283 per year — up from $257 in 2025.

This is the amount you must pay out‑of‑pocket before Original Medicare begins to pay for your Part B services.

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Why These Changes Matter

Budget Planning

When planning your retirement income, healthcare costs rank near the top—not just for premiums, but also deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. Part B is usually the part of Medicare that everyone pays; unlike Part A (hospital insurance), most people pay the Part B premium.

Even a modest increase can affect cash flow, especially if you’re living on a fixed income or anticipate higher healthcare usage.

Medicare Covers Different Services Than You Might Expect

Part B isn’t just medical bills—it’s routine doctor care, outpatient services, and preventive services that most people rely on in retirement. After you pay your deductible, Part B typically covers 80% of Medicare‑approved amounts for services, with you responsible for the remaining 20% coinsurance unless you have supplemental coverage

Income Matters — IRMAA Still Applies

If you have higher income, you may pay substantially more than the $202.90 base. The Income‑Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) is an extra surcharge added to Medicare Part B (and Part D) premiums for individuals above certain income thresholds, based on tax returns from two years prior.

For example, if your adjusted gross income exceeds $109,000 as an individual (or $218,000 as a couple), your Part B premium could be significantly higher than the standard rate.

3 Practical Takeaways

1. You Still Need a Game Plan

A monthly premium increase and higher deductible may sound like just numbers on a sheet—but for many retirees, health costs are among the largest yearly expenses. Plan for both the cost itself and how it fits into your broader retirement strategy.

2. Don't Just Focus on the Premium

Many people look only at the Part B premium and forget about:

The deductible

Coinsurance (20%)

Additional coverage like Part D or Medigap to help cover out-of-pocket costs

Understanding total expected costs—not just the base premium—gives you true clarity.

3. Higher Earners Should Pay Extra Attention

If your income puts you into a higher IRMAA tier, your Part B cost could be:

Noticeably higher than $202.90

Based on income reported two years ago

Something you may be able to appeal if your income changes significantly

Working with someone who understands IRMAA can help you anticipate or potentially reduce those extra costs.

How This Fits Into Your Retirement Plan

These Part B changes are not isolated. They interact with:

Social Security benefits (since premiums are often deducted from your check)

Supplemental coverage costs (Medigap or Advantage plan choices)

Prescription drug coverage (Part D) and its own premium/deductible structure

Your long‑term financial goals

Looking at Part B in isolation can lead to misunderstandings. Medicare is a piece of your retirement plan—and when designed wisely, it protects both your health and your wealth.

Planning ahead—not reacting to changes—gives you control over your health coverage and your retirement budget. With the right strategy, you can manage costs while maintaining quality access to care.

If you’d like a clear, personalized breakdown of what these changes mean for your specific situation, we’d be glad to help.

You Don't Have to Figure This Out Alone

Schedule your appointment today and receive real guidance from someone who actually cares — no strings attached.

As a national Medicare brokerage, we work with multiple carriers to provide comprehensive plan options. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. This is not a complete listing of plans available in your service area. For a complete listing please contact 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week or consult www.medicare.gov.

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