Medicare Part B Premiums Projected to Hit $206.50 in 2026
-What It Means for Your Retirement Budget
Medicare costs are on the rise. According to projections, the standard Medicare Part B premium is expected to increase from $185 in 2025 to $206.50 in 2026—an 11.6% jump. For retirees living on fixed incomes, this uptick may consume a significant portion of the expected Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).
What’s Changing?
- 2025 Standard Part B Premium: $185/month
- Projected 2026 Standard Part B Premium: $206.50/month
- Annual Cost per Person: ~ $2,478
This is a substantial rise compared with the projected 2.7% Social Security COLA in 2026. In other words, while Social Security checks may get slightly bigger, Medicare costs could take a sizable bite out of that increase.