2027 Medicare Part B Premium Announced: Most people on Medicare have their Part B premium taken straight out of their Social Security payment before the money ever reaches their bank account. That means when the premium goes up, the increase quietly eats into the raise you were counting on. It is one of the most common questions we hear each year, and it usually sounds like this: “Is Medicare going to cancel my COLA?”
CMS has now confirmed the standard Part B premium for 2027 compared with $202.90 this year. The Social Security Administration has also announced the 2027 COLA In this article, we will walk through the official numbers, show you exactly how much of your raise Medicare takes at different benefit levels, explain who is protected from a smaller check and who is not, and share a few practical steps you can take before open enrollment ends on December 7.
What is the Part B premium, and who pays it?
Medicare Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services and some medical equipment. It is the “medical insurance” part of Original Medicare, and almost everyone who has Part B pays a monthly premium for it. For most people, the Social Security Administration deducts the premium automatically from their monthly payment. That is why a premium increase feels like a smaller COLA, even though the two are decided separately. Even if you are in a Medicare Advantage plan with a “$0 premium,” you generally still pay the Part B premium. The $0 refers to the plan’s own premium, not to Part B.
The 2027 numbers: projected, not official
The Medicare Trustees Report estimates that Part B premiums will rise to $209.50 per month in 2027, up $6.60 from 2026. It also projects the annual Part B deductible to rise from $283 to about $292. CMS usually announces the final figures in November, so these are the best numbers available today but not the last word. You may see a few websites quoting much higher premium or deductible forecasts, such as $310 for the deductible. Those do not match the Trustees Report, so we use the Trustees figures until CMS announces the real ones.
Will the premium cancel your COLA? The math
Here is the simple formula:
Net raise = (monthly benefit × COLA %) − Part B premium increase
The examples below use a 3.5% COLA, which sits in the middle of the current estimate range, and the projected $6.60 premium increase.
| Monthly benefit | COLA raise (3.5%) | Premium increase | Net raise | Share of raise taken |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $35.00 | $6.60 | $28.40 | about 19% |
| $1,500 | $52.50 | $6.60 | $45.90 | about 13% |
| $2,000 | $70.00 | $6.60 | $63.40 | about 9% |
| $2,500 | $87.50 | $6.60 | $80.90 | about 8% |
| $3,000 | $105.00 | $6.60 | $98.40 | about 6% |
Illustration only. Your actual numbers depend on the official COLA and the official premium.
What this tells you?
Nobody on a typical benefit loses money. For the premium increase to wipe out a 3.5% COLA, your benefit would have to be under about $189 a month. The lower your benefit, the bigger the share Medicare takes: at $1,000 a month, roughly one-fifth of the raise goes to the higher premium, while at $3,000 it is closer to 6%. Over a full year, the projected increase adds up to $79.20 ($6.60 × 12), which is real money but smaller than the yearly COLA increase for most people.
Are you protected from a smaller check?
Some people are shielded in the unusual case where the Part B increase would be bigger than the COLA. It is called the hold harmless provision. In simple terms, if your Part B premium is deducted from your Social Security benefit, your net check generally cannot go down because of a premium increase.
People who are generally not protected include those newly enrolled in Part B, those who pay higher premiums because of their income, those who pay the premium directly instead of through a Social Security deduction, and those whose premium is paid by Medicaid or their state. With a COLA in the 3% range, hold harmless is rarely needed. It matters most in years when inflation is very low and the COLA is small.
What about higher-income retirees? IRMAA explained
If your income is above a certain level, you pay an extra amount called IRMAA, the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, on top of the standard Part B premium. IRMAA is a surcharge on the premium, not a tax rate on your income. Medicare looks at your modified adjusted gross income from two years earlier, so your 2027 premium is based on your 2025 tax return. For 2026, the lowest IRMAA level starts above $109,000 for individuals and $218,000 for joint filers. The official 2027 brackets will be announced with the premium in the fall.
Because the higher premium comes out of your Social Security check, a bigger COLA will not make it go away. If your income dropped because of a life-changing event, such as retirement, marriage, divorce, the death of a spouse or the loss of income-producing property, you can ask the SSA to use a more recent year’s income. This is done with Form SSA-44.
Why does the premium go up?
The Part B premium is set to cover about a quarter of Part B program costs, with the rest funded by general tax revenue. When spending on doctor visits, outpatient care and drugs given in a doctor’s office rises, the premium rises too. That is why the two numbers move on different clocks. The COLA is based on consumer prices (the CPI-W) and is announced by the SSA. The Part B premium is based on Medicare spending and is announced by CMS.
When will you know your actual check?
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| October 14, 2026 | SSA announces the official 2027 COLA |
| October 15 – December 7 | Medicare open enrollment |
| November 2026 | CMS typically announces the official Part B premium |
| December 2026 | SSA mails your 2027 benefit notice |
| January 2027 | First payment with the new amount |
Your December SSA notice is the best source for your own numbers. It shows your new gross benefit, your Medicare premium and the amount you will actually receive. You can also see it online in your my Social Security account at ssa.gov.
Five ways to lower your Medicare costs for 2027
1. Check for Medicare Savings Programs. If your income and resources are limited, one of these programs may pay your Part B premium and sometimes more. Eligibility depends on your state, so ask your state Medicaid office or a free SHIP counselor.
2. Apply for Extra Help. Extra Help, also called the Low-Income Subsidy, can lower your Part D premium, deductible and copays. You can apply at ssa.gov.
3. Compare your plans during open enrollment. The standard Part B premium does not change from plan to plan, but your other costs do. CMS projects the average Medicare Advantage premium will fall from $14.37 to $12 in 2027, while the average stand-alone Part D premium is expected to rise by less than $1, from $35.09 to about $36. Those are national averages, so check the plans in your own county. Some Medicare Advantage plans also offer a benefit that returns part of the Part B premium, so ask before you enroll.
4. Plan around the Part D cap. The yearly out-of-pocket cap for Part D drugs rises from $2,100 in 2026 to $2,400 in 2027. If you take expensive medicines, review your plan’s drug list before December 7.
5. Ask about IRMAA if your income changed. If you qualify, Form SSA-44 can lower your premium.
FAQ’s about 2027 Medicare Part B Premium
What is the 2027 Medicare Part B premium?
It is projected at $209.50 a month, up from $202.90 in 2026. The official number is expected from CMS in November.
Will the premium cancel my Social Security COLA?
Not for most people. It reduces your net raise, but the COLA is usually larger.
What is the projected 2027 Part B deductible?
About $292, up from $283 in 2026.
How much of my COLA will Medicare take?
It depends on your benefit. Under the current projection and a 3.5% COLA, about 19% of the raise for a $1,000 benefit and about 6% for a $3,000 benefit.
Does everyone pay the same Part B premium?
Most people pay the standard premium. Higher-income enrollees pay an extra IRMAA amount.
Does a Medicare Advantage plan change my Part B premium?
No, although some plans offer a partial refund of it.
What if my income dropped?
You can ask the SSA to review your IRMAA using Form SSA-44.
Where can I find my exact numbers?
In your December SSA notice or your my Social Security account.
The 2027 Part B premium will take a bite out of your raise, but for almost everyone the COLA is bigger. The most useful things you can do right now are to know your own numbers, compare your plan before December 7, and check whether you qualify for help paying your costs.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not financial, tax, insurance or legal advice. Your costs depend on your personal situation. Confirm details with CMS, the SSA or a licensed counselor.
Sources: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (cms.gov); Medicare.gov; Social Security Administration (ssa.gov); 2026 Medicare Trustees Report; Bureau of Labor Statistics (CPI-W).
