I started medicare in 2016, but was not on SS yet. My medicare premium went up 10% in 2017 because I was not "held harmless". I am eligible for SS Oct 2017, and will qualify for the "held harmless" rule then. BUT my question is, if I continue to work after receiving SS, then my SS amount will go up by about 3% each year I keep working. My working will not cause me to go into another IRMMA bracket. If they have a COLA of 1% then my medicare premium could go up by 1% - HOWEVER will they also increase my medicare premium to include my Increased SS amount of 3%? Wiping out any of my benefit from still working. OR does Medicare premiums JUST get increased based on the COLA increase AND if your income pushes you into another IRMAA bracket? Just wondering if my continuing to work, pay into medicare taxes, BUT get hurt by the medicare premium increase far bigger than the COLA increase?

Hi,

No, if your benefit rate increases due to additional work and earnings, it will not cause you to pay a higher Medicare premium under the 'hold-harmless' provision.

On the other hand, if your modified adjusted gross income is more than $85,000 for an individual or $170,000 for a couple, you could be subject to higher Medicare premium rates regardless of whether or not your Social Security benefit rate increases (https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10536.pdf).

Best, Jerry