A monthly hit is coming straight from Social Security checks, and it’s not small. Starting in 2026, the standard Medicare Part B premium will rise to $202.90 per month, up from $185.00 in 2025. That extra $17.90 will be taken automatically from many retirement benefits, trimming the cost-of-living adjustment before retirees even see it.
For millions who rely on Social Security payments as their main income, the timing stings. The annual COLA increase was meant to help with rising prices, but a noticeable slice of that raise will be absorbed by higher healthcare costs linked directly to the program itself.
Social Security under pressure in 2026
The numbers explain why this matters. In 2026, baseline Medicare premiums for Part B medical coverage are jumping by nearly 10%. Social Security beneficiaries will technically receive a higher monthly benefit, but for many, the net gain will feel smaller than expected. A retiree receiving around $2,000 per month is projected to get a raise of about $56 thanks to the COLA. Once the $17.90 Medicare increase is deducted, close to one-third of that raise disappears. What reaches the bank account is not what headlines promised.
This isn’t a paperwork issue or a delay. The deduction is automatic. For retirees who have Medicare premiums withheld directly from Social Security, the increase shows up immediately.
Why the Medicare Part B increase matters so much
Medicare Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient care, and preventive services. Enrollment is widespread among seniors, which is why changes to its base premium ripple quickly through Social Security payments.
The 2026 adjustment means that even though benefits go up on paper, purchasing power doesn’t necessarily improve. Housing, food, insurance, and utilities are already running higher than many expected, and healthcare costs keep adding pressure.
For seniors who reported to advocacy groups that they were barely getting by in 2025, this new deduction lands at the wrong time. Several have said their checks already fail to keep pace with everyday expenses, even before accounting for emergencies.
The quiet impact on retirement planning
Losing nearly $18 a month may not sound dramatic on its own. Over a year, though, that’s more than $214 taken from a benefit increase that was supposed to offer relief. As a result, some retirees may feel forced to lean more heavily on savings. Withdrawals from 401(k) plans or IRAs could increase, especially for those without other income streams. That creates another problem: higher withdrawals can raise taxable income, which then feeds back into future Medicare premium calculations.
This cycle is familiar to many older Americans. A modest Social Security raise triggers higher costs elsewhere, and the balance never quite settles.
What retirees should expect going into 2026
The key point is simple: the Medicare premium increase is locked in for 2026. It will apply regardless of personal spending habits or health status, as long as someone is enrolled in Part B and paying premiums through their Social Security benefit. There is no action required to apply the change, and there’s no opt-out without leaving Part B coverage. Planning ahead becomes the only real option.