Retirees, Get Ready for This Unpleasant Medicare Surprise in 2026

Core Insights - Anticipation for the new year is building, but retirees should prepare for significant Medicare changes in 2026 [1] Medicare Part B Premiums - The current standard monthly Medicare Part B premium is $185, reflecting a 5.9% increase from $174.70 in 2024 [3] - Projections indicate that the Medicare Part B premium will rise by 11.6% to $206.50 in 2026, nearly double the increase for 2025 [4] - The dollar increase for Medicare Part B premiums is expected to be $21.50, comparable to the $21.60 increase in 2022 [6] Medicare Part B Deductibles - The annual deductible for Medicare Part B is anticipated to increase by 12% to $288 in 2026 [6] Factors Influencing Premium Increases - The surge in utilization of Part B services is a key factor driving the increase in premiums [9] - Increased service utilization has impacted the profitability of Medicare Advantage providers, as seen in the stock performance of companies like UnitedHealth Group [9]