Medicare Part B Premiums Jump in 2026: Protect Your Social Security Check

Last Updated on January 14, 2026 by George

If you’re like a lot of retirees, you expect your Social Security check to inch up each year to help cover rising everyday costs. In 2026, that bump may not feel as big once the higher Medicare Part B premium comes out, especially since many people have it deducted automatically from their monthly benefit. 

The standard Part B premium is set to increase to $202.90 per month (up from $185 in 2025), which is a $17.90 jump that can hit hard when you’re on a fixed income. Here’s how that change could affect what actually lands in your account, along with a few practical ways to adjust your budget without stressing yourself out.

The 2026 Medicare Change in Plain English

Medicare Part B is getting more expensive in 2026, and that can shrink what you actually take home each month if your premium is deducted from your Social Security benefit. Getting clear on the numbers now makes it easier to plan your budget and avoid surprises.

What Is Changing With Medicare Part B

Part B is the part of Medicare that helps pay for doctor visits, outpatient care, tests, and other medical services you use outside the hospital. In 2026, the standard monthly Part B premium is rising to $202.90, up $17.90 from $185 in 2025.

Premiums do change most years, but a jump like this can feel bigger when you’re trying to keep steady monthly expenses under control.

Why This Affects Your Social Security Check

Many retirees have their Part B premium automatically taken out of their Social Security payment before the rest is deposited. When the premium goes up, more of your benefit gets redirected to healthcare costs. That’s why your “raise” might look fine on paper, but your bank deposit doesn’t move as much as you expected.

The Impact of the Cost of Living Adjustment

Social Security benefits are getting a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2026 to help keep up with inflation.

The problem is timing. The Part B increase hits at the same time, so it can swallow part of that COLA. For plenty of seniors, an extra $17.90 a month going to Part B means less room for basics like groceries, utilities, and other everyday bills.

Who May Feel the Hit the Most

Not everyone will feel the 2026 Part B increase the same way. It mostly comes down to how much room you have in your monthly budget, how predictable your expenses are, and how your Medicare premium is calculated.

Retirees Living Primarily on Social Security

If Social Security covers most of your income, a higher Part B premium tends to show up immediately. When one check has to handle rent or mortgage, utilities, groceries, and transportation, an extra $17.90 a month isn’t “small.” It can mean you start trimming things you’d rather not touch, and it’s tougher if you don’t have savings to cushion the change.

Those With Tight Fixed Expenses

Some retirees aren’t living only on Social Security, but their budgets are already locked in. Property taxes, homeowners insurance, rent increases, medication costs, and utility bills don’t leave much wiggle room. In that situation, an added $215 per year in Part B premiums can push you into cutting back elsewhere, even if it’s just simple things like eating out less, skipping small trips, or scaling back on gifts and hobbies.

Higher-Income Retirees Subject to IRMAA

Higher-income retirees can get hit harder because Part B isn’t always limited to the standard premium. If your income is above certain levels, Medicare adds an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) on top of the base premium. That’s how some people end up paying a lot more each month than the standard amount. Even with more resources, it can still feel like a sharp jump, especially if you’re watching healthcare costs rise across the board.

Couples Where Both Spouses Are on Medicare

For couples, the math is simple and a bit annoying. If both spouses are on Medicare and both pay Part B, the increase doubles. Instead of an extra $17.90 a month, it’s about $35.80 coming out of the household each month. Over a year, that’s roughly $430 that could’ve gone to other priorities like home maintenance, travel, or just keeping a bigger buffer for surprises.

Smart Ways to Respond 

A higher Medicare premium is annoying, but it doesn’t have to mean a major lifestyle change. A few targeted tweaks can often cover the difference and keep your monthly cash flow steady.

Review Your Coverage During Open Enrollment

Open enrollment is your best chance each year to check if you’re still in the right setup. Plans change pricing and benefits all the time, even if you stay with the same insurer. Compare what you have now with other options in your area, including premiums, copays, and out-of-pocket limits. You might land on a plan that costs less overall, or one that adds extras like dental or vision that reduce other expenses later.

Re-evaluate Your Prescription Drug Costs

Prescription costs can swing a lot depending on the plan, the pharmacy, and even the refill method. Use Medicare’s Plan Finder to run your exact medication list and see if a different Part D plan comes out cheaper. It’s also worth asking your doctor if a generic or a different dosage form could work. Mail-order options can help too, especially for maintenance meds you take every month.

Consider a Strategic Part-Time Role

If the budget is already tight, a small, low-stress part-time job can take the pressure off. A few hours a week can easily cover the higher premium and still leave a little extra for day-to-day spending. Check the Social Security earnings-test rules if you haven’t reached full retirement age, since earning above the limit can temporarily reduce your monthly benefit.

Audit Your Recurring Monthly Expenses

The easiest money to find is often the stuff quietly leaving your account every month. Pull up your bank or card statement and look for subscriptions you forgot about, apps you don’t use, and services that crept up in price. Shop your cell plan, internet plan, and insurance while you’re at it. Cutting one or two small charges is often enough to make up the difference without feeling like you’re “giving up” anything important.

Conclusion

The 2026 Medicare Part B premium increase is real, but it doesn’t have to throw off your retirement budget. The standard Part B premium is $202.90 per month in 2026, and many people pay it through an automatic deduction from their Social Security benefit.

Social Security benefits are also getting a 2.8% COLA in 2026, which helps, but a higher Part B deduction can make the “extra” feel smaller than you expected once the deposit hits your account.

Small, practical moves usually cover the gap. Compare coverage during open enrollment, double-check your prescription plan and pharmacy pricing, trim subscriptions you don’t use, and consider a low-stress part-time option if you want extra breathing room. The main thing is to plan now, so you’re not scrambling after you notice a smaller-than-expected net deposit.

FAQ: Medicare Part B Premiums

Can I avoid paying the Medicare Part B premium increase?

Most people can’t opt out of the standard Part B premium increase if they’re enrolled in Part B

The premium is set for everyone, and it applies even if you don’t use many services.

There are a couple of exceptions worth checking. If you qualify for Medicaid or a Medicare Savings Program, your state may pay your Part B premium.

Some Medicare Advantage plans may reduce what you pay out of pocket in other ways, and in certain areas some plans offer a Part B premium “giveback,” but you generally still have a Part B premium tied to your Medicare coverage.

Will my Social Security check actually go down in 2026?

What can feel like a “drop” is the net amount you receive after Medicare deductions, since Part B is higher in 2026.

Many people are also protected by the Medicare “hold harmless” rule, which is designed to keep Part B premium increases from reducing a Social Security payment when premiums are deducted from the benefit. Not everyone qualifies for that protection, so results can vary.

What is IRMAA and how do I know if it affects me?

IRMAA is an extra monthly amount added to your Part B premium if your income is above certain levels. Medicare uses your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) from two years earlier, so 2026 IRMAA is based on your 2024 tax return.

For 2026, you generally pay more than the standard premium if your 2024 MAGI was over $109,000 (individual) or over $218,000 (married filing jointly).

If your income dropped due to a major life change (retirement, loss of a spouse, reduced work hours), you can ask Social Security to review your IRMAA determination.