What this calculator shows you
- 2026 Premiums
- Part B, Part D, Medigap or Advantage
- IRMAA Check
- Your income bracket, and how close you are to the next one
- Out-of-Pocket
- Low, medium or high use, or your own estimate
- Lifetime Cost
- From 65 to any age, with medical inflation
The Parts, in Plain English
Part A covers hospital stays and is premium-free for most people with 40 quarters of work. Part B covers doctors and outpatient care; in 2026 it costs $202.90 a month with a $283 yearly deductible, then you pay 20% of most services. Part D covers prescriptions through a private plan. Together, A and B are called Original Medicare.
Medigap or Medicare Advantage
With Original Medicare, a Medigap policy fills most of the gaps (Plan G covers everything except the Part B deductible), for a monthly premium that varies by state and age. Medicare Advantage replaces Original Medicare with a private plan, often with a low or $0 premium and drug coverage included, but with networks, prior approvals and copays up to a yearly cap ($9,250 in-network in 2026). You still pay the Part B premium either way.
IRMAA: the High-Income Surcharge
If your modified AGI from two years earlier was over $109,000 (single) or $218,000 (married filing jointly), you pay more for Part B and Part D. 2026 premiums are based on your 2024 tax return. The surcharge jumps in steps: going even $1 over a line adds the full amount for that bracket. Large Roth conversions, capital gains or a home sale in your early 60s can trigger it two years later.
Deadlines That Cost You for Life
Your initial enrollment window runs from 3 months before the month you turn 65 to 3 months after. Miss it without other qualifying coverage and the Part B penalty is 10% of the premium for each full 12 months late, for as long as you have Part B. Part D has its own lifetime penalty. And stop HSA contributions six months before you apply, because Part A coverage can be backdated.
Questions people ask
Can I lower IRMAA if my income dropped?
Yes, after certain life-changing events such as retirement, a reduction in work hours, marriage, divorce or a spouse's death. File form SSA-44 with Social Security to have them use a more recent, lower year of income.
Does my spouse pay IRMAA too?
Yes. Each person on Medicare pays their own premiums and surcharges, so a married couple over the line pays the surcharge twice.
Is Medicare Advantage cheaper?
Often cheaper in premiums, and the yearly out-of-pocket cap limits the worst case. The trade-offs are provider networks, prior authorization, and the risk of reaching the cap in a bad year. Switching back to Medigap later can mean medical underwriting in most states.
Education only, not personalized financial, tax or investment advice. Results are estimates based on the numbers you enter; real returns vary and losses happen.