For households about 63–67 · IRA or 401(k) · educational only

Medicare can charge you extra just because last year’s income was higher.

Not a $1 fee. One dollar over the income line can cost $1,148.40 per person for twelve months — $2,296.80 if both of you are on Medicare (CMS, Nov 14, 2025). Medicare looks at a tax return from two years ago. Most people find out late — often when January’s Social Security deposit is lighter.

See if we are over the line — free

No account · Nothing uploaded · Not advice

Who this is for — and why age matters

63–64

Medicare at 65 uses the tax return from two years before. IRA money moved at 63 can show up on the Medicare bill at 65.

65–70

Already on Medicare. This year’s income prices the premium two years later. A lighter January Social Security deposit is often this extra.

55–62

Only if you retired, sold a house, or made a large IRA or Roth move this year.

Under ~55

Not this product. You are still accumulating.

Does this sound like you?
  • About 63–67, married or single, with an IRA or 401(k) and household income near $218,000 joint or $109,000 single
  • January Social Security already felt lighter, or you got a Medicare letter, or someone mentioned “the income line”
  • You want to know what last year’s tax return means for Medicare before anyone moves money from a retirement account

Not this: under ~55 still accumulating, monthly advisor plans, “convert exactly $X” calculators, or guaranteed savings promises

What $1 over actually costs

Crossing the first Medicare income line is a cliff, not a ramp. One dollar over triggers the full first-tier extra for twelve months.

How the two-year lookback works

2024 income → 2026 premium. Income you earn in 2026 is already writing the premium for 2028. November’s letter should not be the first time you see the number.

Diagram: last year's tax return, two-year delay, Medicare premium taken from Social Security.

Free · ~$600 value stack

What you get at $0

  • Two questions — married filing jointly? last year’s household income?
  • Plain answer: under or over the line, and what one extra dollar costs
  • What that means in dollars, including standard Part B vs the extra
  • What happens if you change nothing
  • Text the same result to your spouse — no account

What people often pay a professional to explain once. Here it is free.

See if we are over the line — free

Paid · ~$1,800 value stack · $99/year

What $99/year keeps

  • Save this household and reopen the same result
  • Year-by-year lookback map under the Medicare line
  • Widow view: $218,000 joint line → $109,000 single line
  • SSA-44 life-event flag with the official link
  • CPA print pack for your next appointment

Cancel anytime. 30-day money-back: reply to your Stripe receipt.

Run the free check first Keep this household — $99/year

What this is not

Questions

Fair questions, straight answers

Why did my Social Security check go down in January?

Medicare premiums (standard Part B $202.90, plus IRMAA if 2024 MAGI cleared $109,000 / $218,000) are withheld from the deposit. First-tier extra is $1,148.40 per person, $2,296.80 as a couple (CMS, Nov 14, 2025).

What income triggers the extra Medicare premium in 2026?

2024 MAGI above $109,000 single or $218,000 joint. MAGI here is AGI plus tax-exempt interest.

Is that extra amount a cliff?

Yes. $1 over the line is the full first tier for twelve months, not a $1 surcharge.

Why does Medicare use a tax return from two years ago?

SSA uses the latest return the IRS has already processed. 2026 from 2024. This year's income prices 2028.

What is form SSA-44?

A request that SSA use a more recent year after a listed life-changing event. Official door: https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/lower-irmaa

Does the free check need an account?

No. Two fields. Nothing uploaded.

What does $99 do?

Saves this household and a year-by-year income path under the Medicare line. Not a convert-or-skip call. Not advice.

How do I cancel?

Cancel anytime using the link in your Stripe receipt email or by contacting us at https://retirement-tax-radar.vercel.app/contact/. Cancellation stops future renewals.

Can I get a refund?

The $99/year plan carries a 30-day money-back guarantee: reply to your Stripe receipt if you want a refund.

How do I get help with billing?

Use the link in your Stripe receipt email, or send a message via https://retirement-tax-radar.vercel.app/contact/. For cancellations and refunds, replying to the receipt is usually fastest because your order is attached.

What is the extra Medicare premium?

IRMAA — an income-related extra on Part B and Part D. CMS published the 2026 amounts on November 14, 2025: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-parts-b-premiums-deductibles

Does MAGI include municipal-bond interest?

Yes. For IRMAA, MAGI is AGI plus tax-exempt interest. SSA: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/medicare/medicare-premiums.html

If I just retired, can SSA-44 use a later year?

Work stoppage is a listed life-changing event. Official door: https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/lower-irmaa

Does qualifying surviving spouse use the single IRMAA table?

Yes. QSS, single, and head of household use the individual line (first extra above $109,000). Married filing jointly uses $218,000 (CMS, Nov 14, 2025).

If I die, what line does the surviving spouse face?

The same income can face the single line ($109,000, not $218,000). This card flags that. It is not a full survivor tax plan.

What does $1 over the line cost for twelve months?

The full first-tier extra: $1,148.40 per person, $2,296.80 if both are on Medicare (CMS, Nov 14, 2025). Not a $1 surcharge.

P.S.

If you are married, filing jointly, and household income is anywhere near $218,000 — or single near $109,000 — spend two minutes on the free check. Text the result to your spouse before anyone touches the IRA. If you want the household saved through the next November letter, $99/year keeps it.

See if we are over the line — free
Free check