Expect a Substantial Increase in the Medicare Part B Premium in 2026 - Villages-news.com
The Social Security Trustees Report for 2025 projects a Medicare Part B increase of 11.6% in 2026. The premium is estimated to be $206.50. This is a $21.50 increase, the largest since 2022. In 2022, the premium rose by $21.60, a 14.5% increase.
The Medicare Part B premium increase will reduce the average cost-of-living increase by 40%. This is based on the average Social Security benefit being $2006.69. With an estimated 2.7% cost-of-living increase, the payment will rise to $2060.87, or an increase of $54.18. The increase in Medicare Part B will reduce this gain to $32.68.
There is a rule known as “The Hold Harmless Rule” which prevents an increase to the Medicare Part B premium from reducing the amount of your payment. It will protect you as long as you were entitled to Social Security benefits in November and December of 2025. The Medicare Part B premium will be or was deducted from Social Security benefits in November 2025 through January 2026. You are not affected by the Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA). You do not receive a COLA increase large enough to cover the increased premium.
The Hold Harmless Rule will not protect you if you are enrolling in Medicare for the first time or if you switch benefits. For example, you switch from your retirement benefit to your survivor benefit. People on Medicaid will be charged the full increase. Should you lose your Medicaid, the full current premium will be deducted from your Social Security payment. For more information, read the article by Ash Marwah here …
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