Ask Larry

Is It Correct That My Part B Premium Amount Increased?

RE: Medicare part B premium
I am 71 and retired in June 2017. I have been receiving SS since 2012 (at age 66) spousal benefits on the record of my husband who is living. I applied for Medicare Part B in November 2015 because I had read of the hold harmless policy.
My premium was $104.90 - now increased to 108.
In July I switched to my own record for SS benefits and the Medicare Part B will be $134. Is this correct instead of continuing the hold harmless amount of $108?

Hi,

Assuming that your monthly benefit amount increased by more than $26 when you switched from spousal benefits to retirement benefits on your own record, then your Part B premium amount would revert to the standard rate at some point in time, which is currently $134 per month. However, the lower 'hold harmless' rate normally applies for the entire current year unless there is a retroactive benefit rate adjustment involved. So, my understanding is that you would continue to be charged the lower premium rate until the end of this year, unless you were awarded higher retirement benefits on your own record retroactive to December 2016.

Best, Jerry

Category: 
Posted: 
Aug 14 2017 - 6:31am
MaxiFi software running on a laptop
Get What's Yours!
Discover tens of thousands in extra retirement dollars with Maximize My Social Security software!
  • Find your maximized strategy
  • Unlimited what-ifs
  • Step-by-Step filing instructions
  • Our software's lifetime-benefit increase for an illustrative couple earning $65K each and planning to take retirement benefits at 62.

    Results will differ based on your specific case and filing strategy.

Getting Started is Easy
Web-based software. Works on ALL browsers. No download.