Medicare Part B
Understanding the Medicare Part B Premium Standard Amount
Verified against SSA POMS as of September 17, 2026
The short answer
Medicare Part B Standard Monthly Premium: This is the base amount set annually by CMS, which most beneficiaries pay. The standard premium can be increased by the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) for higher-income beneficiaries. The standard premium is determined by CMS.
What Is the Medicare Part B Standard Premium?
The Medicare Part B standard monthly premium is the basic charge for all beneficiaries, established annually by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). All beneficiaries are typically required to pay this amount unless they fall into a higher income bracket, which necessitates additional charges. This standard figure does not take into account income-related adjustments which are calculated separately.
20 CFR 418.1010 View source ›How Is The Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) Applied?
The IRMAA affects the total Medicare Part B premium for those with a modified adjusted gross income above a certain threshold. This extra cost is added to the standard premium. Therefore, the total amount owed by a beneficiary is the sum of the standard monthly premium and the IRMAA for that year.
20 CFR 418.1125 View source ›Impact of Income on Medicare Part B Premium
Beneficiaries with a modified adjusted gross income crossing a particular threshold are subject to pay both the standard amount and any income-related adjustments. Different levels of income entail different levels of additional payment, hence ensuring a progressive structure that asks higher-income beneficiaries to contribute a larger share towards their healthcare costs. This adjustment reduces the federal subsidy to the Medicare Part B program.
20 CFR 418.1005 View source ›Frequently asked
Does everyone pay the same Medicare Part B premium?
No, while the standard premium is the same for everyone and not tied to work history, higher-income beneficiaries may pay more due to the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA). IRMAA is an additional amount added to the standard premium for those with higher incomes. Specifically, for a single tax filer, IRMAA applies if their Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) is above $109,000. For those filing a joint tax return, the threshold is a MAGI above $218,000.
What does MAGI stand for in relation to Medicare?
MAGI stands for Modified Adjusted Gross Income, which determines if a beneficiary pays more than the standard Medicare Part B premium due to income-related adjustments. It is calculated by adding the adjusted gross income to any tax-exempt interest reported on the IRS Form 1040.
How often is the standard Medicare Part B premium set?
The standard Medicare Part B premium is set annually by the CMS.
Do income adjustments affect every Medicare Part B beneficiary?
No, only those beneficiaries whose income exceeds specified thresholds are subject to an income-related monthly adjustment amount, which adds to their standard premium. For a single tax filer, the initial IRMAA threshold is a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) above $109,000, and for those filing a joint tax return, it is above $218,000.