Reviewed against CMS and SSA data · Last reviewed: June 2026
If you receive both Social Security and Medicare, your Medicare Part B premium is deducted automatically from your monthly Social Security check — so the amount that lands in your bank account is your benefit minus the premium. In 2026 the standard Part B premium is $202.90 a month. This guide explains exactly how the deduction works, the 2026 Medicare costs, why higher earners pay more (IRMAA), the hold-harmless rule, and what happens if you have Medicare before you start Social Security.
Quick summary — Part B and your Social Security check
- 2026 standard Part B premium: $202.90/month, deducted automatically from your benefit.
- Your deposit = Social Security benefit − Part B premium.
- Part B deductible (2026): $283. Part A: usually $0 premium.
- Higher earners pay more (IRMAA), based on income from two years earlier.
- No Social Security yet? Medicare bills you directly instead.
Quick Answer
Once you have both Social Security and Medicare Part B, Social Security withholds your Part B premium from your monthly benefit before it is paid, so your net deposit already reflects it. The standard 2026 Part B premium is $202.90, and higher earners pay more through IRMAA.
Key Takeaways
- After you enroll in both Social Security and Part B, the premium is withheld automatically from your monthly benefit.
- The standard 2026 Part B premium is $202.90 a month, with a $283 annual deductible; most people pay no Part A premium.
- Higher-income beneficiaries pay more than the standard premium because of the IRMAA surcharge, based on income from two years earlier.
- The hold-harmless rule generally keeps your net Social Security check from dropping when the Part B premium rises.
- If you have Medicare but have not started Social Security, Medicare bills you directly instead of deducting from a check.
Official sources: Medicare.gov · CMS · SSA · Last reviewed: June 2026
How the Part B deduction works
Once you’re enrolled in both Social Security and Medicare Part B, the Social Security Administration withholds your Part B premium from your monthly benefit before it’s paid. You don’t write a check or set up a payment — it’s automatic, and your net deposit already reflects the premium. Your annual benefit letter and your my Social Security account both show the gross benefit, the premium withheld, and the net amount.
2026 Medicare costs at a glance
| 2026 Medicare cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Part B standard monthly premium | $202.90 |
| Part B annual deductible | $283 |
| Part A monthly premium (most people) | $0 (premium-free with enough work credits) |
| Part A hospital deductible (per benefit period) | $1,736 |
Part A is premium-free for most because you (or a spouse) paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. Part B always has a premium, and that’s the piece deducted from Social Security.
Why some people pay more: IRMAA
Higher-income beneficiaries pay an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) on top of the standard premium. It’s based on your modified adjusted gross income from two years earlier — so your 2024 tax return determines any 2026 surcharge. The standard $202.90 applies to individuals with income at or below $109,000 ($218,000 for couples); above that, the premium rises in tiers. We cover the full brackets in our 2026 Part B premium & IRMAA guide.
The hold-harmless rule
The hold-harmless provision protects most beneficiaries: in a given year, your Part B premium increase generally can’t be larger than the dollar amount of your Social Security COLA raise, so your net check doesn’t go down. With the 2.8% COLA in 2026, most people comfortably absorb the premium. Hold-harmless does not apply to new enrollees, those who pay IRMAA, or people not yet collecting Social Security.
If you have Medicare but not Social Security yet
Plenty of people enroll in Medicare at 65 but delay Social Security to grow their benefit. In that case there’s no check to deduct from, so Medicare bills you directly — usually quarterly, or monthly through Medicare Easy Pay (automatic bank debit). Once you start Social Security, the premium switches to automatic deduction.
How to check your deduction
Sign in to my Social Security at SSA.gov to see your gross benefit, the Part B premium withheld, and your net deposit. Each January, your benefit statement (and SSA-1099) confirms the amounts for your tax return. If your premium looks wrong — for example, an IRMAA surcharge after your income dropped — you can ask SSA to reconsider using Form SSA-44 after a life-changing event.
Key takeaways
- 2026 standard Part B premium is $202.90, auto-deducted from Social Security.
- Your deposit equals your benefit minus the premium.
- Higher earners pay IRMAA based on income from two years prior.
- No Social Security yet means Medicare bills you directly.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Forgetting Part B is deducted and budgeting off the gross benefit.
- Skipping Part B without other coverage and owing a lifelong penalty.
- Not filing SSA-44 after your income drops, so you overpay IRMAA.
- Assuming Part A costs a premium — it’s free for most people.
What about Part D and Medicare Advantage?
You can also have your Part D (drug plan) premium — including any Part D IRMAA surcharge — deducted from Social Security if you choose. Medicare Advantage (Part C) premiums are usually paid to the private plan directly, though some arrangements route through Social Security. By default, only Part B (and Part D if you elect it) are handled through the SSA deduction.
Related resources
- Social Security in 2026: the complete guide
- Average & maximum benefit 2026 — your gross check before the premium.
- 2026 COLA (2.8%) — how the raise interacts with hold-harmless.
- Social Security payment calendar — when the net deposit arrives.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Medicare Part B premium deducted from Social Security in 2026?
The standard 2026 Part B premium is $202.90 a month, deducted automatically from your Social Security benefit. Higher earners pay more through IRMAA.
Is Medicare Part B automatically taken out of my Social Security check?
Yes. If you receive both Social Security and Medicare Part B, SSA withholds the premium from your monthly benefit, and you receive the net amount.
What is the 2026 Medicare Part B deductible?
$283 for the year. After you meet it, you typically pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for most Part B services.
Why is my Part B premium higher than $202.90?
You may be paying IRMAA, an income-related surcharge based on your modified adjusted gross income from two years earlier. The 2024 tax return determines 2026 IRMAA.
What is the hold-harmless rule?
It generally prevents your Part B premium increase from being larger than your Social Security COLA dollar raise, so your net check doesn’t drop. It doesn’t apply to new enrollees or IRMAA payers.
What if I have Medicare but haven’t started Social Security?
Medicare bills you directly — quarterly or monthly via Medicare Easy Pay — because there’s no Social Security check to deduct from. It switches to automatic deduction once you claim.
Does Medicare Part A have a premium?
For most people, no. Part A is premium-free if you or a spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. The 2026 Part A hospital deductible is $1,736 per benefit period.
The Guru Gazette is an independent publisher and is not affiliated with Medicare, CMS, or the SSA. This is general information, not medical, insurance, or financial advice — confirm current figures and your situation at Medicare.gov and SSA.gov. Last reviewed: June 2026.
Sources
- CMS — 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-parts-b-premiums-deductibles
- Medicare.gov — Part B costs: https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/medicare-costs
- SSA — Medicare premiums and your benefit: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/medicare/
- SSA — Form SSA-44 (Medicare IRMAA Life-Changing Event): https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-44.pdf
- Medicare.gov — Part B late enrollment penalty: https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/medicare-costs
People Also Ask
How is the Part B premium billed if you have not started Social Security?
If you have Medicare but have not begun collecting Social Security, there is no benefit check to deduct from, so Medicare bills you directly, usually every quarter. You can also set up monthly automatic bank debits through Medicare Easy Pay. Once you start Social Security, the premium switches to automatic deduction from your benefit.
Where can you see how much Part B is deducted from your benefit?
You can sign in to your my Social Security account at SSA.gov to see your gross benefit, the Part B premium withheld, and your net deposit. Each January, your benefit statement and SSA-1099 confirm the amounts for your tax return. This is the most reliable way to verify what was actually deducted.
Can your Part D premium be deducted from Social Security too?
Yes. If you choose, your Part D drug plan premium, including any Part D IRMAA surcharge, can be deducted from your Social Security benefit, similar to Part B. This is optional rather than automatic. Setting it up can simplify payments by having both Medicare premiums come out of the same monthly benefit.
Does the Part B amount deducted change each year?
Yes. The standard Part B premium is set annually, so the amount withheld can change from year to year, and IRMAA surcharges are recalculated each year using income from two years earlier. Your Social Security cost-of-living adjustment can also shift your net deposit. Check your benefit statement each January for the current figures.
Why might your Part B premium be higher than the standard amount?
Your premium can exceed the standard $202.90 if your income is high enough to trigger IRMAA, an income-related surcharge based on your tax return from two years earlier. It can also reflect a Part B late-enrollment penalty if you signed up after you were first eligible. Both are added on top of the standard premium.
Related guides
- Medicare 2026 Guide
- Medicare vs Medicaid: What’s the Difference? (2026)
- Medicare Parts A, B, C & D Explained (2026)
- Medicare Enrollment 2026: IEP, GEP, SEP & How to Sign Up
- Medicaid 2026 Guide
- Social Security 2026 Guide
Reviewed by the Guru Gazette Editorial Review Team · Last reviewed June 2026. Figures are verified against official government sources; see our Fact-Checking Policy.