In 2025, the standard monthly Medicare Part B premium deducted from Social Security checks is $185.00, an increase of $10.30 from 2024. The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries is $257. Most beneficiaries have this amount automatically deducted from their benefits, though higher-income earners may pay more (IRMAA).
The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B enrollees will be $185.00 for 2025, an increase of $10.30 from $174.70 in 2024. The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries will be $257 in 2025, an increase of $17 from the annual deductible of $240 in 2024.
The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B enrollees in 2026 will be $283, an increase of $26 from the 2025 deductible of $257. The increases are due to changes in both pricing and utilization that are consistent with historical trends.
For 2025, the Additional Medicare Tax remains a 0.9% surcharge on wages, self-employment income, or Railroad Retirement earnings exceeding specific thresholds: $200,000 for Single/HoH, $250,000 for Married Filing Jointly, and $125,000 for Married Filing Separately, with employers withholding it on wages over $200k regardless of filing status, and individuals responsible for reporting it if combined income surpasses their threshold, using Form 8959.
Yes, senior citizens will pay more for Medicare in 2026, primarily due to a nearly 10% jump in the standard Part B premium to $202.90/month and higher deductibles, affecting most enrollees and consuming a significant portion of the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). While Medicare Advantage (Part C) premiums are decreasing on average, out-of-pocket costs and some supplemental benefits are rising, and Part D drug plan maximums are increasing, leading to higher overall expenses for many.
Your CalPERS health coverage will automatically be canceled the first day of the month after you turn 65. Review Cancellation of CalPERS Health Coverage for information on reinstating your health coverage.
Here are some of the biggest Medicare mistakes to avoid:
In November 2025, the full retirement age (FRA) — the age at which individuals qualify to receive 100% of their Social Security benefits — increased to 66 years and 10 months for those born in 1959. FRA gradually rises month by month, so in November 2025, those born in January 1959 reached their FRA.
For the 2025 tax year, seniors (age 65+) get a new $6,000 bonus deduction (or $12,000 for couples) under the "One Big Beautiful Bill," stacked on top of the existing senior standard deduction, phasing out for incomes over $75k (single) or $150k (joint), available through 2028, and requires an SSN and joint filing if married.
To avoid the 22% tax bracket (or any higher bracket), focus on reducing your taxable income through strategies like maxing out 401(k)s and HSAs, deferring bonuses, tax-loss harvesting, smart charitable giving, and strategic asset location, understanding that higher rates only apply to income within that bracket, not your entire income.
It's capped at $2,000, a threshold that will rise each year to cover inflation. Lawmakers in Congress set those changes in the Inflation Reduction Act under President Joe Biden. The law also shifted a larger share of the cost of drugs used by Medicare beneficiaries from the federal program to insurers.
Best Medicare Part D plans at a glance
Wellcare is a top pick for Medicare Part D plans in 2026, according to analysis from NerdWallet's editorial team. It has the lowest average premiums and highest government quality ratings of any major provider.
Eliquis (generic name: Apixaban) alone racked up $18.3 billion in Medicare spending in 2023, nearly double the next drug, Ozempic. Alongside Xarelto, anticoagulants accounted for over $24 billion in 2023.
In November 2024, CMS finalized a 2.83% decrease in the physician fee schedule conversion factor, a key aspect of physician payment rates under the Medicare program. This resulted in an average payment cut of 2.93% to physicians and other clinicians, which took effect on January 1, 2025 and remains in effect today.
You can avoid paying Medicare Part B premiums by delaying enrollment if you have creditable employer coverage (your own or spouse's job with 20+ employees) until that coverage ends (within 8 months to avoid penalties), or by qualifying for a Medicare Savings Program (MSP) to have state/federal funds pay for it due to low income. Other ways to save include using HSA funds, appealing high Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts (IRMAA) for life changes, or enrolling on time during your Initial Enrollment Period.
For 2026, the standard Medicare Part B premium deducted from most Social Security checks is $202.90 per month, with higher premiums for higher incomes and a separate annual deductible of $283; some beneficiaries pay less due to the hold harmless rule. Your exact amount depends on your income from two years prior, and you'll also pay 20% coinsurance for most services after meeting the deductible.