I am currently 67 and collecting a spousal social security benefit of $857 per month. My Medicare premium of $104.90 is deducted directly from the check. The hold harmless provision will insure that my Social Security check does no decrease for the year 2017. My question is - when I change from spousal to colllecting on my own work history, which will increase my check substantially, will my medicare premium be affected by that increased social security check and if so how will it be calculated. Please assume for the purposes of this question that our joint income will not exceed the $170,000 (or future) threshold. Thanks.

Hi,

If your benefit rate increases by enough to cover the full Part B Medicare premium without reducing your net monthly benefit rate, you will be charged the full premium amount. The 2016 Part B premium base rate is $121.80 per month, and is estimated to rise to around $149 in 2017.

Once determined to apply, the variable premium rates generally remain in effect for an entire calendar year. So, if you switch to a higher benefit rate on your own account in the middle of a year, you likely won't start paying the higher Part B premium until the following January.

Best, Jerry