Facts checked against primary sources · Last updated August 26, 2026
Medicare Part B Premium 2027: What We Know So Far
The official 2027 premium won't be announced until November. But the government's own actuaries have already published their projection, and their recent track record says it's usually close, and usually a little high.
The 2026 baseline
For 2026, most people with Medicare Part B pay the standard premium of $202.90 per month, and the annual Part B deductible is $283. Higher-income beneficiaries pay more through IRMAA surcharges; if your income is above $109,000 (single) or $218,000 (married filing jointly), see our 2026 IRMAA guide for the full brackets.
Where the $209.50 projection comes from
Every year the Medicare Board of Trustees publishes a report projecting the program's finances, including future Part B premiums. The 2026 report (released June 2026) projects the 2027 standard premium at $209.50/month. That 3.25% increase would be the smallest percentage change since premiums briefly decreased in 2023.
How much should you trust it? Last year's report projected $206.50 for 2026; the actual number came in at $202.90, about $4 lower. The projections have been close, and recently a touch high. Treat $209.50 as a planning number, not a promise.
The projected track through 2034
The same report projects premiums rising faster after 2027, roughly 7 to 8% per year on average:
| Year | Projected standard premium |
|---|---|
| 2026 (actual) | $202.90 |
| 2027 | $209.50 |
| 2028 | $224.50 |
| 2029 | $238.50 |
| 2030 | $255.50 |
| 2031 | $272.10 |
| 2032 | $290.20 |
| 2033 | $313.65 |
| 2034 | $338.50 |
Projections get less reliable the further out they go: the near years are estimates, the far years are trend lines.
When is the official 2027 premium announced?
CMS announces the coming year's Part B premium, deductible, and IRMAA amounts each year in the fall, historically in mid-November. Two things about the timing worth knowing:
- The announcement lands during Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7). You can make plan choices before knowing the exact premium; the Part B premium applies no matter which lane you choose, Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage.
- The premium is uniform nationally. Living in California doesn't change your Part B premium. What varies locally are Medicare Advantage, Part D, and Medigap options.
Why the premium rises
By law, the Part B premium is reset annually to cover about 25% of the program's expected per-person costs; government contributions cover roughly the other 75%. When projected Part B spending rises (outpatient care, physician services, and drugs administered in clinics), the premium follows.
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Sources
- 2026 Medicare Trustees Report (CMS Office of the Actuary)
- Medicare.gov: Medicare costs (2026 premium and deductible)
- SSA: Medicare premiums and higher-income adjustments (2026)
This guide is educational only, not insurance, legal, tax, or financial advice. Verify anything that matters for your situation at Medicare.gov, with the Social Security Administration, or with California's free HICAP counselors at 1-800-434-0222.