The Secret Medicare Surcharge That Ruins Roth Conversions

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Roth conversion strategy , roth conversion explained
One Roth conversion. Two years of doubled Medicare premiums. More than $4,800 in unexpected costs. 💥

In this video on Roth Conversion, we break down the story of "Robert," a retired engineer who converted $150,000 from his traditional IRA to a Roth — and got blindsided by IRMAA, the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount that quietly surcharges Medicare Part B and Part D premiums when your income crosses hidden thresholds.

Because Medicare uses a two-year lookback, his 2024 tax return controlled his 2026 premiums — jumping from $202.90 to $405.80 per person, per month.

📌 What you'll learn:
• How theMAA two-year lookback rule actually works
• The 2026 IRMAA brackets and MAGI thresholds (single & joint filers)
• Common triggers: RMDs, capital gains, home sales, and large Roth conversions
• How the taxation of Social Security benefits can create a costly How to use Form SSA-44 to appeal with a life-changing event (retirement, divorce, spousal death)
• Smart strategies: partial conversions over multiple years, MAGI projection, and timing around the IRMAA cliffs

If you're planning a Roth conversion, large withdrawal, or any one-time income event, take 10 minutes to check the current thresholds BEFORE you act. A small timing change can save you thousands.

⏱ Timestamps:
00:00 The $150K Roth Conversion That Backfired
00:30 The IRMAA Notice: 202.90→202.90 →202.90→405.80
01:05 What Is IRMAA? The 2026 Brackets Explained
01:57 The Two-Year Lookback in Action (Robert's Case Study)
02:38 4 Ways to Avoid or Reverse IRMAA (Form SSA-44)
03:20 Other Common IRMAA Triggers: RMDs, Capital Gains & Social Security
03:53 Robert's Successful Appeal & the Lasting Lesson
04:19 Your Action Checklist: Check Thresholds Before You Convert
04:46 Disclaimer & Where to Find the Current IRMAA Tables

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🔗 Here are the current and official links. These are the primary sources for 2026 IRMAA brackets and the appeal process.

Official IRMAA Tables & Medicare Premiums
- CMS 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles (includes full Part B and Part D IRMAA tables)
https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-parts-b-premiums-deductibles

- Medicare.gov – Costs page (overview of Part A, Part B, and income-related adjustments)
https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/medicare-costs

Form SSA-44 and Requesting a Lower IRMAA
- SSA page: Request to lower an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA)
(Explains life-changing events, online upload option, and how to submit)
https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/lower-irmaa

- Direct download: Form SSA-44 (Medicare Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount – Life-Changing Event)
https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-44.pdf

- SSA Forms main page (if you want the full list)
https://www.ssa.gov/forms

Additional Helpful Official Resources
- Social Security Administration – Medicare section
https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/

- SSA main number for IRMAA questions or appeals
1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Tell the representative you want to discuss lowering your IRMAA due to a life-changing event.

Quick Notes for Viewers
- 2026 IRMAA is based on 2024 MAGI (the two-year lookback).
- Standard 2026 Part B premium: $202.90.
- First IRMAA tier begins above $109,000 (single) / $218,000 (married filing jointly).
- Form SSA-44 is only for qualifying life-changing events that reduced income (retirement/work stoppage or reduction, marriage, divorce, death of spouse, loss of income-producing property, certain pension reductions, etc.). You generally need supporting documentation.
- Always confirm the latest figures on the CMS or SSA sites, as brackets and premiums are updated annually (usually announced in the fall for the following year).


⚠️ Disclaimer: This video is for educational purposes only and is not personalized tax, investment, or Medicare advice. Rules, brackets, and premiums change — consult a qualified tax professional or Medicare counselor before making decisions.

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