How to appeal IRMAA after a life-changing event
Your premium is based on old income. You can ask Social Security to use new income.
IRMAA uses your tax return from two years earlier, which often doesn't reflect your life now, especially in the first years after retirement. If a qualifying life-changing event lowered your income, you can ask Social Security to recalculate using a more recent year.
Events that qualify
Income that rose and then fell for other reasons, such as a one-time capital gain or a Roth conversion, doesn't qualify on its own.
- Work stoppage (retirement) or a reduction in work hours.
- Marriage, divorce or annulment.
- Death of a spouse.
- Loss of income-producing property through no fault of your own, such as a disaster.
- Loss or reduction of certain kinds of pension income.
- An employer settlement payment because of the employer's closure, bankruptcy or reorganization.
How to ask
- Complete form SSA-44, Medicare Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount: Life-Changing Event.
- Give your estimated income for the year you want used.
- Attach proof of the event, such as a letter from your employer confirming your retirement date, or a marriage or death certificate.
- Send it to Social Security, or make an appointment with them.
Other reasons to contact Social Security
If the tax information Social Security used is wrong, or you filed an amended tax return that changes your income, you can ask for a new determination. You can also appeal the decision itself by requesting a reconsideration.
Common questions
Yes. Retirement (work stoppage) is a life-changing event. You can use an estimate of your current-year income and correct it later with your tax return.
Social Security will compare it with your tax return when it's available and adjust your premiums, which may mean paying back the difference.
Want help with your own choices?
Every state runs a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) with trained counselors who give free, unbiased Medicare help and do not sell plans. Find yours on our Medicare by state pages, or call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
Planning the rest of your coverage in retirement? We can help with life insurance later in life and final expense coverage.
Sources
- Request to lower an income-related monthly adjustment amount, Social Security Administration. Checked September 29, 2026.
- 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Checked September 29, 2026.
General information about the federal Medicare program, not advice about your situation. Figures are for 2026 unless stated and change every year; last reviewed September 29, 2026. Quote My Policy is a private company. Not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program.
Quote My Policy does not sell Medicare plans on this site. For plan-specific help, contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program.