This Government Report Estimates the Next 6 Years of Medicare Part B Premiums

This Government Report Estimates the Next 6 Years of Medicare Part B Premiums
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Your Medicare Part B costs will increase by about 6% next year, according to estimates in a Congressional Research Service (CRS) report projecting premiums through 2029.

 

That rate of increase would remain fairly steady through the coming decade, per the report, with most beneficiaries seeing a 57% overall increase from their 2021 premiums to their 2029 rates.

 

Most Medicare Part B users – those whose tax returns in 2019 were $88,000 or less for an individual tax return (or married but filing a separate return) or $176,000 for a joint return – are paying $148.50 a month in 2021. That beneficiary bracket would pay $157.70 per month in 2022 under CRS estimates, and $234.10 in 2029.

 

In addition to this group, there are five levels of higher-income beneficiaries who pay higher Part B premiums based on reported income levels. These income levels will rise yearly; the CRS report does not estimate the incomes assigned to each level in future years.

 

You can see the full chart of all estimated rates at all income levels through 2029 at this link or read the full report here (PDF format). Here are the 2022 and 2029 estimates for each level, along with current Part B premiums and income figures:

 

Level 1

  • 2021 income: $88,001 to $111,000 (individual return or filing separately) or $176,001 to $222,000 (joint)
  • 2021 monthly premium: $207.90
  • 2022 estimate: $220.70
  • 2029 estimate: $327.70

 

Level 2

  • 2021 income: $111,001 to $138,000 (individual/filing separately) or $222,001 to $276,000 (joint)
  • 2021 monthly premium: $297.90
  • 2022 estimate: $315.30
  • 2029 estimate: $468.20

 

Level 3

  • 2021 income: $138,001 to $165,000 (individual/filing separately) or $276,001 to $330,000 (joint)
  • 2021 monthly premium: $386.10
  • 2022 estimate: $409.90
  • 2029 estimate: $608.70

 

Level 4

  • 2021 income: $165,001 to $500,000 (individual) or $88,001 to $412,000 (married, filing separately) or $330,001 to $750,000 (joint)
  • 2021 monthly premium: $475.20
  • 2022 estimate: $504.50
  • 2029 estimate: $749.10

 

Level 5

  • 2021 income: Above $500,000 (individual) or above $412,000 (married, filing separately) or above $750,000 (joint)
  • 2021 monthly premium: $504.90
  • 2022 estimate: $536
  • 2029 estimate: $795.90

 

[RELATED: COLA Update: What Recent Figures Could Mean for Your TRICARE Costs]

 

Official Medicare Part B premium rates typically are announced in November for the following calendar year. You can learn more about Medicare Part B, TRICARE For Life, and more in MOAA’s TRICARE Guide.

 

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About the Author

Kevin Lilley
Kevin Lilley

Lilley serves as MOAA's digital content manager. His duties include producing, editing, and managing content for a variety of platforms, with a concentration on The MOAA Newsletter and MOAA.org. Follow him on Twitter: @KRLilley