First thank you very much for providing excellent service to the community. I am single. I have had a life changing event (loss of job in 2018) as per SSA-44. My MAGI from mainly earned income 2018 was about 200 k. However in 2019 it was about 40 k and in 2020 it would be again about 180k, in 2021 It is expected to be about 50k, -- all incomes from after 2018 being capital gain distribution. I will be eligible and take Medicare in 2021 due to SSDI and understand that my Medicare payments for 2021 will be at the lowest level because Medicare considers income from 2 years ago (2019 -- which was low income year) when calculating Medicare payments. However, I expect my my Medicare payments to increase in 2022 as they are defaulted to earnings for 2020 (which had high income at 180k) -- unless I will be eligible to reduce the Medicare payments for 2022 relying on income for either 2021 or 2022 based on life changing event in 2018 using SSA-44 -- is it true? I also expect in the following years starting with 2021 for my unearned income to fluctuate from 200k to 50k. Thus in subsequent years after 2021 would I be be able to still rely on life changing event in 2018 to continue to reduce Medicare payments by selectively picking the year for calculating Medicare payment (either staying with the default of 2 years back or picking either just prior year or estimated income for current year). For example for year 2025 can I rely on year 2025 in calculating Medicare payment if my income in 2023 is 200k and for year 2024 is 150k and for year 2025 it is 80k.
BTW I have read SSA POMS associated with SSA-44 but cannot make sense of this POMS. Thank you for your help.

Hi,

My knowledge of Medicare regulations is much more limited than my knowledge of Social Security benefits. It doesn't sound to me, though, like the fluctuation in your annual incomes is due to what Social Security defines as a life-changing event (LCE). You can find a list of LCEs and links to more detailed information on each type of LCE in the following section of Social Security's operations manual (POMS): https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0601120005#c.

That said, if Social Security does propose to increase your Medicare premiums and if you think that you may qualify for lower premiums under the above provision, you'll no doubt want to go ahead and request a new initial determination by submitting a form SSA-44 and any required supporting evidence.

Best, Jerry