Will your future income rocket your Medicare premiums?

As a federal employee with FEHB, should you also take Medicare Part B at age 65?  There are several articles out there on how Medicare Part B and FEHB work together, but in this article, we’ll zoom in on Medicare and explore a few additional things to consider before making the decision.

Understanding Medicare Part B

Medicare Part B can play a crucial role in providing essential healthcare coverage for individuals aged 65 and older.  Medicare Part B covers outpatient care, preventive services, and durable medical equipment – like an FEHB plan.

Unlike Medicare Part A, which is free at age 65 and covers major medical expenses like hospital visits, Part B carries a monthly premium.

And here’s the part that catches a lot of retirees off guard: The monthly premium for Medicare Part B is dependent on your income.

At certain income levels, the government adds an “income-related monthly adjustment amount” (IRMAA) to the base premium. And, while Part B premiums start out relatively affordable, they can become far more expensive for higher income-earners.

Who is eligible?

Individuals can file for Medicare Part B once they are 3 months from age 65 and no later than 3 months after reaching age 65. 

Individuals who are 65 or older and still covered under an employer’s healthcare plan (or a spouse’s plan), are NOT required to enroll for Medicare Part B until they have retired.  After retirement, you have 8 months to enroll without penalty. 

The penalties for filing late can be quite harsh, as they are permanent increases to all future premiums. So, you’ll want to be sure you’ve done your homework and know what’s best for YOU ahead of time.

How do premiums work?

Medicare Part B premiums are based upon someone(s) Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) or their income before deductions.  As you can see in the chart below, premiums can increase significantly at higher income levels:

How does the future income affect my decision?

One of the most important retirement planning considerations, and one that’s often forgotten, is how future income, including pensions, social security, and required minimum distributions (RMDs), can influence tax obligations and Medicare costs.

For private sector retirees, retirement income is typically limited to social security plus withdrawals from their retirement accounts. Because of that, it’s relatively easy to stay within one of the first Medicare Part B premium brackets.

Federal employees, on the other hand, typically have a nice pension which, when combined with social security and TSP withdrawals can land them in the same tax bracket as when they were working.

If a federal retiree’s pension is high enough, they may decide to delay Social Security until they’re 65 or 70. In that scenario, they may be in the first Medicare premium bracket at retirement but may face higher IRMAA and increased Medicare Part B premiums once Social Security benefits have begun.

Finally, the most overlooked (and often largest) income stream that can impact your future retirement income are Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). An RMD is a required withdrawal from your retirement account and is mandatory for any tax-deferred (traditional) account. 

In short, Uncle Sam let you defer paying taxes on these funds while you were working, and now, it’s time to pay up.

Accounts like your TSP, previous employer plans, and Traditional IRAs are all considered in this formula.  It is a mandatory withdrawal that boasts a staggering 25% penalty if it is missed.  (down from 50% prior to the Secure Act 2.0 passed in 2022) 

These distributions count as taxable income and contribute to your MAGI. They begin at age 73 (75 for those who are not age 73 by December 31, 2033) and are approximately 4% of your traditional balance year 1.  As you age, your IRS Divisor, a nice way of saying life expectancy, decreases and the proportion of your account that needs to be withdrawn increases. 

Typically, you can assume your RMD will be larger than the prior year unless you have a negative year in your investments.  Retirees who underestimate the impact of RMDs on their overall income may find themselves in a higher IRMAA tier, leading to increased Medicare premiums that could cost them thousands of dollars.

Conclusion

So, what should you do if you think Social Security and RMDs could spike your retirement income? 

First, have your numbers run to see what type of risks you’re exposed to.

If you’re at risk of higher premiums, the good news is that there are strategies to mitigate the risks mentioned above.  This can be achieved by engaging in strategic tax planning to minimize overall taxable income.

Tax planning strategies could include:

• Spreading retirement account distributions over several years. 
• Taking advantage of tax-efficient investment tactics. 
• Being intentional with the timing of things like your retirement age/date as well as when to draw Social Security. 

Finally, potentially the most impactful strategy is Roth contributions and conversions.  While this incurs taxes in the short term, it can reduce taxable income in the future and potentially lower future income and Medicare premiums.

In conclusion, it’s important to take steps NOW to prepare yourself for a decision on Medicare Part B. 

By proactively considering pension benefits, social security filing age/amount, and forecasting future RMD’s in your financial planning, you can make informed decisions that not only optimize your healthcare coverage but also mitigate the impact on taxes and premiums.

Taking a proactive approach to these considerations can contribute to a more financially secure and stress-free retirement.

Originally published by Government Executive

 

The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

This information is not intended to be a substitute for individualized tax advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific tax situation with a qualified tax advisor.

Contributions to a traditional IRA may be tax deductible in the contribution year, with current income tax due at withdrawal. Withdrawals prior to age 59 ½ may result in a 10% IRS penalty tax in addition to current income tax.

A Roth IRA offers tax deferral on any earnings in the account. Qualified withdrawals of earnings from the account are tax-free. Withdrawals of earnings prior to age 59 ½ or prior to the account being opened for 5 years, whichever is later, may result in a 10% IRS penalty tax. Limitations and restrictions may apply.