The Medicare Part B premium 2027 is projected at $209.50 a month, a $6.60 increase from this year’s $202.90, and the official number is still weeks away. The 2026 Medicare Trustees Report puts the rise at about 3.25 percent, which would be the gentlest percentage jump since 2023 and a sharp contrast with the 9.7 percent leap from $185.00 to $202.90 this year. For most of the more than 68 million people on Medicare, the premium comes straight out of the Social Security check, so the number matters on the same day the new cost-of-living adjustment arrives. SSA is expected to announce the COLA on October 14, and CMS usually announces the premium in November. Some private forecasters think the final premium could land between $216 and $219, which would take a bigger bite out of the raise. We’ll be updating this article monthly.
Here is the practical point. A retiree who gets $2,000 a month and a 3.5 percent COLA would see $70 more before Medicare, and about $63 more after the projected premium increase, so most people keep roughly nine-tenths of the raise. But the picture changes for people with very small benefits, new enrollees and higher earners who pay income-related surcharges, because the legal protection that shields many retirees from a falling check does not cover them. This guide explains the projection and why it could miss, the 2026 premium history, the income tiers known as IRMAA, the hold-harmless rule, how to enroll, when payments are deducted and which dates matter this fall. A calculator below shows your own net deposit.
Medicare Part B Premium 2027 Key Highlights
| Item | Latest detail |
|---|---|
| Projected 2027 standard premium | $209.50 a month, per the 2026 Trustees Report |
| 2026 standard premium | $202.90 a month |
| Projected increase | $6.60 a month, about 3.25 percent |
| Extra annual cost | About $79 a year |
| Last year’s projection for 2027 | $218.60, revised down about $9 |
| Private forecasts | $216 to $219 a month |
| Official announcement | Expected in November by CMS |
| Part B deductible, 2026 | $283, with the 2027 figure not yet announced |
| Part A deductible, 2026 | $1,736 per benefit period |
| Premium effective date | January 1, 2027 |
| COLA announcement | Expected October 14, 2026 |
How Much Will Medicare Part B Cost in 2027?
The Trustees project a standard premium of $209.50. That is a projection, not a bill. CMS sets the final figure each fall, using the program’s estimated spending for the coming year and the share of costs that premiums are supposed to cover, which is 25 percent for most people.
A standard-premium enrollee would pay $2,514 a year at $209.50, compared with $2,434.80 this year. If the final number comes in at $216, the annual cost is $2,592, and at $219 it is $2,628. The gap between the Trustees’ projection and the high-end forecasts is therefore about $78 to $114 a year.
The deductible is a separate item. It was $283 in 2026. CMS has not announced a 2027 deductible, and the Trustees Report does not publish one. Unofficial websites list estimates from about $292 to $310, but those numbers should be treated as guesses until CMS publishes.
Medicare Part B Premium History: 2021 to 2027
| Year | Standard monthly premium | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $148.50 | Baseline |
| 2022 | $170.10 | Up 14.55 percent |
| 2023 | $164.90 | Down 3.06 percent |
| 2024 | $174.70 | Up about 5.9 percent |
| 2025 | $185.00 | Up about 5.9 percent |
| 2026 | $202.90 | Up about 9.7 percent |
| 2027 | $209.50, projected | Up about 3.25 percent |
The 2023 decline is the only year-over-year drop in this period, and it followed the record increase of 2022. Since then the premium has risen every year.
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Why the Part B Premium Forecast Could Be Wrong
Two things are true at once. First, the Trustees lowered their outlook. Last year’s report projected $218.60 for 2027 and $206.50 for 2026. The actual 2026 premium came in at $202.90, which was lower than the Trustees expected.
Second, some financial analysts are not convinced. Private forecasters cited by 24/7 Wall St. say the 2027 number could reach $216 to $219, pointing to a pattern of earlier underestimates. The two views are not easy to reconcile, and a projection can miss in either direction.
The sensible approach is to plan for a range. Budget for $209.50 as a baseline and keep $219 in mind as a stress test. The difference between those two numbers is $9.50 a month.
What the Part B Premium Means for Your Social Security Check
Most beneficiaries do not write a check for Part B. The premium is subtracted from the Social Security payment before it is deposited, so the amount in your account is a net figure. When the premium rises faster than your benefit, the deposit can shrink.
For the average retired worker, the math works in your favor this year. Using the July average benefit of about $2,086 and a 3.5 percent COLA, the raise is roughly $73 a month. If Part B goes up by $6.60, you keep about $66, or 91 percent. At a $216 premium you would keep about $60, and at $219 about $57.
The table shows how the COLA and the premium interact across different benefit sizes, assuming a 3.5 percent COLA and the $209.50 projection.
| Monthly benefit | COLA increase | Premium increase | Net raise | Share kept |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $800 | $28 | $6.60 | $21.40 | 76 percent |
| $1,200 | $42 | $6.60 | $35.40 | 84 percent |
| $2,000 | $70 | $6.60 | $63.40 | 91 percent |
| $3,000 | $105 | $6.60 | $98.40 | 94 percent |
| $4,000 | $140 | $6.60 | $133.40 | 95 percent |
The lower your benefit, the larger the share that Medicare takes. That is because the premium is a flat dollar amount while the COLA is a percentage.
What Is the Medicare Hold Harmless Rule?
A hold-harmless provision protects some people from seeing their Social Security payment go down because of a Part B increase. In general, if the premium rises by more than the dollar amount of your COLA, your premium increase is limited to the size of your COLA, so your net deposit stays the same.
At a 3.5 percent COLA, that rule only becomes relevant for very small benefits. Divide the premium increase by the COLA rate to find the break-even point.
| Part B premium scenario | Premium increase | Benefit where hold harmless matters, at 3.5 percent COLA |
|---|---|---|
| Trustees projection, $209.50 | $6.60 | Below about $189 a month |
| Forecast of $216 | $13.10 | Below about $374 a month |
| Forecast of $219 | $16.10 | Below about $460 a month |
The protection does not apply to everyone. It generally does not cover people who pay an income-related surcharge, people who are new to Medicare, people whose premium is paid by their state and people who pay Medicare directly instead of through a Social Security deduction. If you are in one of those groups, the full increase applies.
IRMAA 2027: Who Pays More Than the Standard Part B Premium?
Higher earners pay a surcharge called the income-related monthly adjustment amount, or IRMAA. It uses your modified adjusted gross income from two years earlier, so premiums for 2027 will be based on your 2025 tax return. The 2027 income thresholds have not been published. The 2026 brackets, based on 2024 income, show how the structure works.
| 2024 income, single | 2024 income, married filing jointly | Total Part B premium in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| $109,000 or less | $218,000 or less | $202.90 |
| $109,001 to $137,000 | $218,001 to $274,000 | $284.10 |
| $137,001 to $171,000 | $274,001 to $342,000 | $405.80 |
| $171,001 to $205,000 | $342,001 to $410,000 | $527.50 |
| $205,001 to $499,999 | $410,001 to $749,999 | $649.20 |
| $500,000 or more | $750,000 or more | $689.90 |
Each tier is a fixed multiple of the standard premium, and the share of program costs covered by the enrollee climbs from 25 percent to as high as 85 percent. If the standard premium is $209.50 in 2027, the same multiples would put the tiers at roughly $293, $419, $545, $670 and $712, before any change in the income thresholds. Those figures are the author’s calculations, not CMS numbers.
IRMAA is a cliff, not a slope. Going one dollar over a threshold moves the whole premium up a tier. Part D coverage carries its own surcharge, ranging from about $14.50 to $91.00 a month in 2026.
If your income dropped because of retirement, a marriage change, a death in the family or another life-changing event, you can ask SSA to use a more recent year’s income. Form SSA-44 is the standard way to request that.
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Medicare Part D and Part A Costs to Watch in 2027
Part B is not the only cost. The Part A inpatient hospital deductible was $1,736 per benefit period in 2026, and the 2027 figure is expected to be announced in November.
On the prescription side, secondary summaries of CMS rules say the annual out-of-pocket cap for Part D rises to $2,400 in 2027, and the standard deductible is reported at $700. Those figures are higher than 2026 levels, so people who take expensive drugs should review their plan during open enrollment. Check CMS or your plan’s notice for confirmation before relying on them.
Medicare Advantage and Part B: What Changes
Medicare Advantage members still pay the Part B premium. Some plans offer a Part B premium reduction, which gives back part of the amount through a lower deduction or a credit, but those benefits vary by plan and county. The Medicare Advantage and Part D open enrollment period runs from October 15 through December 7, 2026, and it is the time to compare plans for 2027.
How to Enroll in Medicare Part B?
If you already receive Social Security before turning 65, you are generally enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B automatically and your card arrives in the mail a few months before your 65th birthday. Otherwise, you sign up yourself.
- Find your Initial Enrollment Period. It lasts seven months and begins three months before the month you turn 65.
- Sign up through your my Social Security account or at a local Social Security office.
- Decide whether to take Part B right away. If you have coverage from a current employer, you may be able to wait without a penalty, but you should confirm with your employer’s benefits office first.
- Choose how you want to pay. Social Security deducts the premium if you collect benefits. Otherwise you receive a Medicare bill every three months.
- Review your plan options for supplemental coverage, a Medicare Advantage plan and Part D.
Part B Late Enrollment Penalty
If you delay Part B without qualifying coverage, you can face a permanent penalty of 10 percent of the standard premium for every full 12-month period you could have had it. At $209.50 a month, one year of delay would add about $20.95 a month for as long as you keep Part B. The General Enrollment Period runs from January 1 through March 31 each year for people who missed their window.
Medicare Part B Processing Time: When Does Coverage Start?
Part B coverage begins on a date that depends on when you sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period. If you sign up in the three months before your birthday month, coverage starts the first day of your birthday month. If you sign up later in the window, coverage starts the first day of the month after you enroll. People who use the General Enrollment Period have coverage start the month after they sign up.
Social Security will start deducting premiums once you are enrolled. If your coverage starts before your first benefit payment, you may receive a bill first and the deductions begin later.
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Medicare Part B Payment Schedule
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| October 14, 2026 | Expected COLA announcement from SSA |
| October 15, 2026 | Medicare open enrollment begins |
| November 2026 | CMS expected to announce the 2027 Part B premium and deductible |
| Early December 2026 | SSA posts COLA notices that show the new premium |
| December 7, 2026 | Medicare open enrollment ends |
| January 1, 2027 | New Part B premium takes effect |
| January 2027 | First Social Security payments with the new COLA and premium |
Your first deposit with the new premium is the one you receive in January. Since Social Security pays a month behind, that payment covers December benefits, and the COLA and the new Part B premium usually appear together.
How to Budget for the 2027 Part B Premium Before the Official Number Arrives
Treat the projection as a floor, not a promise. A simple method is to plan around two numbers: $209.50 as the base case and $219 as the stress case. Subtract the higher figure from your expected 2027 benefit, and if the budget still works, any surprise in November will not cause trouble.
Set aside the monthly gap between the two numbers, which is $9.50, and you will have about $114 by the end of the year if the higher figure turns out to be right. Also remember that deductibles and coinsurance are separate from the premium. A person who needs surgery or a long hospital stay can face costs far larger than the premium itself, so check whether a supplemental plan or Medicare Advantage plan fits your health needs.
Medicare Savings Programs: Help Paying the Part B Premium
If your income and resources are limited, your state’s Medicare Savings Program can pay your Part B premium. There are several versions, including the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary program and the Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary program. Income limits differ by program and state, and many people who qualify do not apply. Ask your state Medicaid office or use the Medicare website to find a program near you.
Part B Premium Calculator: See Your Net Social Security Check
The calculator below shows your benefit after the COLA and the Part B premium, applies the hold-harmless rule when it fits and handles IRMAA tiers. It starts with the Trustees’ $209.50 projection and a 3.5 percent COLA, so update both once official numbers are out.
Medicare Part B 2027 premium and Social Security check calculator
See how the projected $209.50 Part B premium and a cost-of-living raise change the amount that actually lands in your account. Change the numbers to match the official figures once they are announced.
Estimate only. The 2027 premium of $209.50 is the Medicare Trustees’ projection, and CMS announces the official premium in November. Tier surcharges are shown as multiples of the standard premium, which matches the 2026 totals of $284.10, $405.80, $527.50, $649.20 and $689.90, and the 2027 income thresholds for each tier are not yet published. The hold-harmless rule is applied only for people on the standard premium whose premium comes out of their check and who were enrolled before 2027. Social Security benefits are rounded down to the whole dollar. Your SSA notice and your Medicare bill are the final word.
Official Medicare and Social Security Links: Login, Enrollment and Premium Help
| Resource | Use it for | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Medicare.gov | Plan finder, costs and official Medicare information | https://www.medicare.gov |
| my Medicare account | Login, registration, claims and premium information | https://www.medicare.gov/account/login |
| Social Security Medicare page | Sign up for Medicare and check your enrollment | https://www.ssa.gov/medicare |
| my Social Security | Login, COLA notice, benefit and premium details | https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount |
| CMS | Official announcement of the Part B premium | https://www.cms.gov |
| Form SSA-44 | Request a lower IRMAA after a life-changing event | https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-44.pdf |
| Medicare Savings Programs | Help paying the Part B premium | https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/help/medicare-savings-programs |
| Medicare Trustees Report | Official 2027 premium projection | https://www.cms.gov/data-research/statistics-trends-and-reports/trustees-report-trust-funds |
Medicare Part B Premium 2027 FAQs
What is the Medicare Part B premium for 2027?
The projected standard premium is $209.50 a month, according to the 2026 Medicare Trustees Report. CMS will announce the official amount in November.
How much is the Part B premium in 2026?
$202.90 a month for the standard premium.
How much will Part B go up in 2027?
The projection is an increase of $6.60 a month, about 3.25 percent.
Will Medicare take my whole COLA?
No. At the projected premium, the average retiree keeps about 91 percent of a 3.5 percent COLA.
When will the official 2027 premium be announced?
Typically in November.
What is the Part B deductible for 2027?
It has not been announced. It was $283 in 2026.
Who pays more than the standard Part B premium?
People whose income exceeds the IRMAA thresholds, which for 2026 start at $109,000 single and $218,000 joint.
Does the Part B premium come out of my Social Security check?
Yes, if you receive benefits. Otherwise you are billed directly.
Why is the Medicare Part B premium going up?
Premiums are set to cover about 25 percent of the program’s projected costs, so rising spending on services and drugs pushes the premium higher.
Can the Part B premium go down?
It is uncommon. The standard premium fell in 2023, but it has risen every year since.
Is Part B mandatory?
Not always. You can delay it if you have qualifying coverage, but late enrollment can lead to a penalty.
How can I lower my Part B premium?
If you pay IRMAA and your income dropped, file Form SSA-44. If you have limited income, ask about a Medicare Savings Program.
What is the hold harmless provision?
A rule that can limit your Part B premium increase to the size of your COLA so that your net check does not drop.
When does the new Part B premium start?
January 1, 2027.
Do I pay Part B if I have Medicare Advantage?
Yes. You pay Part B in addition to any Medicare Advantage plan premium.
How is IRMAA calculated?
Using your modified adjusted gross income from two years earlier, so your 2025 return will be used for 2027.
Conclusion
The Medicare Part B premium 2027 is projected at $209.50, which is a modest rise that leaves most retirees with the bulk of their raise. The caution is that this is a forecast, and the real number could be higher. Watch October 14 for the COLA, watch November for the Part B announcement and use the calculator to see your own net deposit. If your benefit is small, you are new to Medicare or you pay an income-related surcharge, check whether the hold-harmless rule applies to you, and ask about help paying premiums if money is tight. Use the open enrollment window from October 15 to December 7 to compare plans before the new rates take effect. We’ll be updating this article as soon as CMS releases the official premium and deductible.
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