Key Takeaways

• If you believe your IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) decision is incorrect, you have the right to file an appeal—and in 2025, doing so may save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in Medicare premiums.

• Life-changing events like retirement, divorce, or a decrease in income may qualify you for a lower IRMAA bracket, but the appeal won’t happen automatically. You must act quickly and submit the correct documentation.

Understanding What IRMAA Is and Why It Matters

The Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, or IRMAA, is an extra charge that higher-income individuals pay on top of their standard Medicare Part B and Part D premiums. In 2025, Medicare uses your 2023 tax return to determine whether you owe this surcharge. If your income exceeds certain thresholds, you’re required to pay IRMAA every month.

While this system is intended to align costs with income levels, it doesn’t always account for recent life changes. That’s where an appeal becomes vital.

Who Is Subject to IRMAA in 2025?

In 2025, IRMAA applies if your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) in 2023 exceeded the following thresholds:

• Individual filers: $106,000 or more

• Joint filers: $212,000 or more

These income thresholds place you into one of five IRMAA brackets. The higher your income, the more you pay. The additional monthly cost can range from modest to substantial—especially when applied to both Part B and Part D.

Why 2025 Might Be the Right Year to Appeal

Many Americans experienced major income shifts in 2024—such as retirement, downsizing businesses, or the sale of investments. If your 2023 income placed you into a higher IRMAA bracket but your current income is significantly lower, your IRMAA assessment for 2025 may no longer reflect your financial reality.

Appealing your IRMAA decision could result in significantly reduced Medicare costs for the rest of the year. If you’ve had a qualifying life-changing event, this is the year to consider submitting a reconsideration request.

What Counts as a Qualifying Life-Changing Event?

The Social Security Administration allows IRMAA appeals based on specific qualifying life-changing events. In 2025, these include:

• Retirement or a reduction in work hours

• Loss of income-producing property

• Loss of pension income

• Marriage or divorce

• Death of a spouse

• Employer settlement payout ending

If any of these events occurred in 2024 or early 2025, and your current income is significantly lower than it was in 2023, you may have a strong case for an IRMAA adjustment.

How to Start the IRMAA Appeal Process

You must file an appeal directly with the Social Security Administration (SSA). The main steps include:

1. Complete the Right Form

Use Form SSA-44: Medicare Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount – Life-Changing Event. This form allows you to report your new income level and the reason for the change.

2. Submit Documentation

You’ll need to provide proof of both the life-changing event and your updated income estimate. Accepted documents include:

• A signed statement from your employer (if retired)

• Separation notices or pension reduction letters

• Federal income tax return or amended tax documents

• Marriage, divorce, or death certificates, as applicable

3. Send to SSA Promptly

File your request at your local SSA office or mail it in. You may also call to start the process and receive help with your documentation.

The earlier in the year you file, the sooner the adjustment can take effect.

What Happens After You File?

Once you submit your appeal, SSA reviews the evidence and may contact you for clarification or more documentation. The decision typically arrives within 60 days. If your appeal is approved, your IRMAA amount is reduced accordingly—and your future Medicare premiums will be adjusted.

If your appeal is denied, you still have options:

• Reconsideration: Ask SSA to re-review the decision

• Administrative Law Judge hearing: A formal legal hearing

• Appeals Council and Federal Court: For continued denials (rarely needed)

Time Limits and Best Timing

While there’s no strict deadline to appeal an IRMAA decision, the adjustment only applies from the month SSA approves your request moving forward. You cannot receive a refund for months you overpaid before approval.

That’s why appealing early in the year—preferably in January or February—is ideal. If you wait until mid-year, you could miss out on several months of reduced premiums.

Also keep in mind:

• You must file a new Form SSA-44 every time a new qualifying event occurs.

• SSA reviews IRMAA status each year, so even if your appeal is approved, the surcharge can return in future years if your income rises again.

Tips to Strengthen Your Appeal

To give your IRMAA appeal the best chance of success in 2025:

• Be proactive: Don’t wait for SSA to update your income automatically.

• Submit clear and accurate documents: Include estimates for your current tax year income.

• Provide official records: Use formal documents over handwritten notes.

• Stay organized: Track all communications with SSA and keep copies.

Appealing IRMAA isn’t guaranteed to work—but when it does, the savings can be substantial.

What If Your Income Isn’t Lower Now, But Will Be?

This is a common scenario. Maybe you retired in early 2025, but SSA is still using your 2023 income to calculate IRMAA. The good news is that you can still file Form SSA-44 with an income estimate for the current year, as long as the qualifying event has already occurred.

You can base your new MAGI on expected income for 2025, and SSA may grant a temporary adjustment based on your estimate. Just be prepared to provide supporting evidence if requested.

The Role of Estimated MAGI in Your Appeal

Since SSA relies on your income from two years ago, it’s your responsibility to give them a more current picture. Your estimated MAGI for 2025 should include:

• Wages (if any)

• Self-employment income

• Social Security benefits

• Pension or annuity income

• Interest, dividends, and capital gains

• Tax-exempt interest

Accurate estimation is important. If you estimate too low and SSA later determines you underreported your income, you may owe retroactive IRMAA charges. On the other hand, overestimating might cause you to miss out on savings.

Avoiding IRMAA in Future Years

If you’ve recently retired or expect continued lower income, you may avoid IRMAA altogether in coming years. Here’s how to stay prepared:

• File taxes early: SSA reviews your IRS data automatically.

• Track annual income changes: Make sure SSA receives up-to-date information.

• Consider tax planning strategies: Reducing MAGI through retirement withdrawals or Roth conversions may help.

Even if you don’t qualify for an IRMAA appeal this year, planning now can help you avoid the surcharge in future years.

Why It’s Worth Reviewing Your Medicare Notice Every Year

Each fall, you’ll receive a Notice of Medicare Premium Payment Due that includes your IRMAA determination for the upcoming year. Don’t ignore this letter. Review it carefully to make sure:

• Your income information is accurate

• The MAGI used is from the correct tax year

• You haven’t experienced a life-changing event that would allow an appeal

Mistakes do happen. And sometimes SSA uses outdated or incorrect income records. Reviewing your notice gives you the chance to act before you overpay.

Don’t Miss the Opportunity to Reduce Your Costs

2025 presents a real opportunity for many Medicare beneficiaries to reduce their premiums through a successful IRMAA appeal. If your income has recently declined, or if you’ve experienced a qualifying life event, now is the time to act.

Even though the appeal process requires effort, the reward is often worth it—particularly when both Part B and Part D surcharges are involved. With Medicare costs continuing to rise, every dollar saved counts.

Reassess Your IRMAA Status With Confidence

Appealing your IRMAA decision isn’t just possible—it’s encouraged if your current income no longer supports the surcharge you’re paying. Whether you’ve retired, lost a spouse, or had a major financial shift, 2025 could be the year your appeal makes a significant difference.

Review your SSA notice, complete Form SSA-44, gather your documentation, and contact a licensed agent listed on this website if you need help understanding your options.