70% of Medicare beneficiaries will find 2016 to be much like 2015 in terms of their health benefits. They will pay $104.90 per month for their Medicare Part B premium — just like 2015.
But for the other 30% — roughly 7 million or so Americans – 2016 may be quite different.
That’s because premiums for individuals could increase a jaw-dropping 52% to $159.30 per month ($318.60 for married couples). And for individuals whose incomes exceed certain thresholds, premiums could rise to anywhere from $223.00 per month up to $509.80 (or $446 to $1,019.60 for married couples), depending on their incomes.
What gives? Blame the “hold harmless” provision in the law that addresses cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) for Social Security benefits.
That law limits the dollar increase in the premium to the dollar increase in an individual’s Social Security benefit, according to a report by Alicia Munnell of the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College.