Larry,

My wife wants to collect spousal benefits next year at age 66 while deferring her own SS benefits until age 70. Will she be part of the 70 percent of folks protected from higher Medicare part B premium increase for 2017 or will she fall in the other 30 percent unprotected from part B Medicare increases? She is only filing for spousal benefits in 2017 and the 2017 Cola will be 0.3 percent. I am referring to the held harmless provision.

Thank you

Steven

Hi Steven,

No, your wife would have to be entitled to Social Security benefits no later than November 2016 in order to potentially be protected from a 2017 Medicare premium increase under the 'hold harmless' provision (https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0601001004).

Best, Jerry