My social security check is half of what my husband's check is. However my Medicare deduction is exactly the same as my husbands. (and my insurance does not allow us to use Medicare) Why is my deduction so high?

Hi,

Medicare premium rates do not vary based on a person's Social Security benefit rate. There is a standard Medicare premium rate for Part B of Medicare, which can change annually. The standard Part B monthly premium rate for 2019 is $135.50, and that rate will increase to $144.60 in 2020. Those standard rates apply regardless of a person's Social Security benefit amount. However, individuals with annual incomes above $87,000, or couples with annual incomes above $174,000, can be required to pay more than the standard Part B premium rate (https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2020-medicare-parts-b-premiums-...).

I'm not sure what you mean when you say that your insurance doesn't allow you to use Medicare, but I assume you mean that you also have coverage through an employer group health plan (EGHP) where either you or your husband work. If that's the case and if at least 20 employees are covered under the EGHP, then your Medicare coverage would currently be secondary insurance. Some people choose to defer signing up for Part B of Medicare if they have primary insurance through an EGHP, but I don't know enough about your circumstances to give you any advice in that regard.

Best, Jerry