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After65 Forms

Lower your IRMAA with form SSA-44

Social Security sets your Medicare income surcharge (IRMAA) from your tax return of two years ago. If your income has dropped since then because of retirement or another life-changing event, you can ask them to use a more recent year. Answer 8 questions to see whether you qualify and what you'd save. It's free.

If it looks worthwhile, the $39 kit fills in the SSA-44 for you and gives you the exact evidence list for your event. You can also fill it out yourself with our guide.

1.Which year's Medicare premiums are you trying to lower?

It's the year named in your IRMAA letter from Social Security.

2.What happened?

Pick the event that lowered your income. If more than one applies, pick the main one.

3.When did it happen (or when will it)?

For retirement, the month you (or your spouse) stopped working.

4.Your tax filing status on the return Social Security used (usually 2024)
5.The income (MAGI) Social Security used

Your IRMAA letter shows it. MAGI is your adjusted gross income (Form 1040, line 11) plus tax-exempt interest (line 2a).

6.Your filing status for 2026 (expected)
7.Your estimated MAGI for 2026

Your best estimate of adjusted gross income plus tax-exempt interest for the whole year, including pensions, IRA withdrawals, the taxable part of Social Security and investment income.

8.Do you have Medicare drug coverage (Part D, or a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage)?

IRMAA also adds to drug coverage premiums.

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