How the IRMAA Brackets adjust:

When Congress created medicare IRMAA back in 2003 through the passing of the Medicare Modernization Act, they ruled that the IRMAA Brackets would adjust by

“The percentage (if any) by which the average of the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (United States city average) for the 12-month period ending with August of the preceding calendar year exceeds such average for the 12-month period.”

So, if the CPI-U at the end of August of the current year is greater than the previous August then the IRMAA Brackets will increase. Note the inflation rate does not determine IRMAA costs.

By the way there is no language that would stop the IRMAA Brackets from going down if the CPI-U would actually deflate from year to year.

In terms of the all the Thresholds within the IRMAA Brackets, due to the passing of the Bi-Partisan Budget Act of 2018 the 5^th Threshold in the IRMAA Brackets will not adjust for inflation until 2028.

What is IRMAA:

IRMAA is short for Medicare’s Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount which is according to the Code of Federal Regulations:

“An amount that you will pay for your Medicare Part B and D coverage when your Modified adjusted gross income is above the certain thresholds.”

IRMAA is a tax on your income through Medicare Part B and Part D coverage if you have too much income while in retirement.

Will you actually enter IRMAA:

According to the 2022 Medicare Board of Trustees Report, currently, there are over 6.8 million people in IRMAA. These people in IRMAA make up 16.63% of all eligible Medicare beneficiaries.

By 2031, according to recent reports the number of people in IRMAA will double to 13.8 million eligible people in IRMAA.

IRMAA is a revenue generator for both the Medicare and Social Security programs.

For the Medicare program, IRMAA is an added cost that the person in it must pay. This added cost provides more money each year for the program.

As for Social Security, according to Congress, all IRMAA costs are automatically deducted from any Social Security benefit a person is receiving. Thus, for those who enter IRMAA, Social Security has to pay out less to them which reduces that program’s obligation to pay benefits.

With both Medicare and Social Security projected by the government to be insolvent (unable to pay) in less than 8 years the easiest way to save these programs is to make sure more people are in IRMAA.

How do you reach an IRMAA bracket:

IRMAA is all about your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI).

The more of it you have the higher the chances that you have to reaching IRMAA while having less of an MAGI reduces the chance of you reaching IRMAA.

What counts towards your MAGI:

According to Social Security your MAGI is the total of your adjusted gross income (AGI) and any tax-exempt interest you may have.

Imagine, you’ve just clocked in your last hour at work. You’re ready to leave the working life behind and savor the rewards of your efforts. But then, there’s a sudden shift – whispers about the Social security earnings limit 2023.

You think, “I’ve worked my whole life for this moment! I deserve every penny.” Well that’s where Things get interesting.

Navigating retirement isn’t as simple as kicking back on a beach somewhere. It’s like stepping into an intricate dance with Uncle Sam – one wrong move and you could be leaving money on the table.

This post is your dance guide; helping ensure each step towards maximizing your Social Security benefits is right in rhythm with the rules set by our friends over at SSA (Social Security Administration).

Are you ready? Let’s delve into understanding how these limits Impact retirees and explore various strategies.

Understanding the Social Security Earnings Limit 2023

If you’re eyeing retirement in 2023, knowing your Social Security earnings limit is key. This limit, set by the Social Security Administration, dictates how much income you can earn without impacting your social security benefits.

The annual earnings limit for individuals not yet at full retirement age is $21, 240. That means if you haven’t reached that magic age but still want to work part-time or even full-time while receiving social security, keep an eye on those paychecks. For every $2 earned above this amount, expect a reduction of $1 from your benefit payment.

But what about folks reaching their golden years? They get a bit more wiggle room. The earning ceiling increases to $56, 520 in the year they reach full retirement age and deductions occur only after surpassing this threshold – with one dollar deducted for each three dollars earned over it until hitting that all-important birthday.

To better understand these reductions and plan ahead financially, check out this helpful guide provided by SSA detailing how work affects benefits.

Deductions Don’t Spell Doom.

You might be thinking: “Wait up. Does exceeding my yearly earnings limit mean I’m kissing goodbye to my hard-earned bucks?” Not necessarily so. It’s important to note that any deduction made due to excess earnings isn’t lost forever. Once you hit full retirement age (FRA), there’s good news as no matter how high your annual income may climb – skies are truly limitless here – it will no longer reduce those precious monthly payments.

A Silver Lining

Furthermore, if you have been working while receiving social security benefits and your latest year of earnings turns out to be one of your highest years, there’s a silver lining. The Social Security Administration will recalculate and potentially increase your retirement benefits.

retirement. Getting to grips with the Social Security Earnings Limit for 2023 might feel like a bit of a maze, but it’s just one more step on your journey towards smooth and stress-free retirement days.