Seven qualifying life-changing events can help you avoid Medicare premium surcharges if your income has decreased. These events include death of a spouse, marriage, divorce or annulment, work reduction such as switching to part-time employment, work stoppage from retirement or layoffs, loss of income from property due to disasters or theft, and loss of pension income from defined benefit or cash balance plans.
When any of these events occur and reduce your income below the IRMAA thresholds of $109,000 for individuals or $218,000 for couples, you can request reconsideration of your premium adjustment. The Social Security Administration requires specific documentation for each event, such as death certificates, marriage licenses, divorce decrees, termination letters, or proof of property loss.
To request an exemption, complete Form SSA-44, the Medicare Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount Life-Changing Event form. Submit this form to the Social Security Administration along with your supporting documents and evidence of your new reduced income. You can file this form at any time after the life-changing event occurs.