# Medicare Surcharge After Retirement

> Retired person paid $5,400 extra Medicare premium due to old tax return.
- Title: Medicare Surcharge After Retirement · 24/7 Wall St. | Shortify
- Summary: Retired person paid $5,400 extra Medicare premium due to old tax return. A person who retired in June 2026 was billed $5,400 extra for Medicare Part B…
- Keywords: medicare, social security, part b premium, retirement, tax return, irmaa, surcharge, work stoppage, 24/7 Wall St.
- Source: 24/7 Wall St. — https://247wallst.com/personal-finance/2026/10/17/he-retired-in-june-and-medicare-billed-him-5400-extra-for-the-year-off-a-tax-return-from-when-he-still-had-a-salary-he-told-them-hed-retired-and-the-bill-went-back-to-the-standard-premium
- Author: David Beren
- Published: 2026-10-17T15:32:02+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: medicare, social security, part b premium, retirement, tax return, irmaa, surcharge, work stoppage
## Medicare Premium Surcharge
Medicare can charge retirees a premium surcharge based on a salary they stopped earning months ago.
## 2024 Tax Return Affects 2026 Bill
Social Security used a 2024 federal tax return to set Medicare premiums for 2026.
## Example of Surcharge Impact
A single filer with 2024 salary over $205,000 paid $649.20 monthly Part B premium including $446.30 surcharge.
## Surcharge Adds $5,355.60 Annually
The surcharge adds $5,355.60 extra over a year for a single filer with high income.
## Social Security Form SSA-44
Beneficiaries can file Form SSA-44 to reduce Medicare premium after retirement.
## Retirement Counts as Work Stoppage
Retiring qualifies as a work stoppage under Social Security's life-changing event rules.
## Filing Deadline for Savings
Filing by March 31 can apply the premium reduction to the current year.
## Late Filing Loses Full Year Savings
A June 2026 retiree who files after 2027 loses the 2026 premium reduction.
## Medicare Premium Adjustment
Social Security adjusts Medicare premiums based on income changes after retirement.
## Key takeaway

A person who retired in June 2026 was billed $5,400 extra for Medicare Part B premium because Social Security used a 2024 tax return that showed higher income.