Fighting the IRMAA

[LostDollar]

Yes, I am familiar with that form, and it doesn't really fit his situation, so he is appealing, and the next step would be a hearing, if necessary.

See the appeal form referenced in one of the links I gave you above. You have to expand the post to see all of it. This is the appeal form referenced in all SSA letters giving a determination and saying you have the right to appeal.

 

[somarco]

Tax advice is not covered by your E&O . . . .

 

[kgmom219]

Starting with….80% of my clients pay or appeal IRMAA. It's my thing.

Selling property or inheritance is not appeal-able, unless you have another qualifying event. (Like retiring/work stoppage in the same year as selling the building)

 

[marindependent]

Aunt IRMA?

 

[wehotex]

Starting with….80% of my clients pay or appeal IRMAA. It's my thing.

Selling property or inheritance is not appeal-able, unless you have another qualifying event. (Like retiring/work stoppage in the same year as selling the building)

KG, in your experience, has IRMAA appeal ever been granted, but inexplicably reversed a year later?

 

[kgmom219]

The same year? No.

2 years later, yes

 

[DonP]

The same year? No.

2 years later, yes

So if you get hit with Irmaa and 2 yrs later your income tanks . Does ss automatically adjust your part B premium . What if you never appeal it and your income drops?

 

[sman]

So if you get hit with Irmaa and 2 yrs later your income tanks . Does ss automatically adjust your part B premium . What if you never appeal it and your income drops?

They look back two years on an ongoing basis. So this year they are looking at 2023 income. Next year it will be 2024 income and so on. Once they see income has dropped, they adjust. But if a person knows they are going to have reduced income, let's say for 2025, due to one of the qualifying reasons, they can file SSA-44 and generally have it reduced this year.

All that to say, a person would be foolish not to file form SSA-44 if their income is reducing.

 

[LostDollar]

KG, in your experience, has IRMAA appeal ever been granted, but inexplicably reversed a year later?

I can't find where you originally posted about your situation to look at the details again.

My guess is your client has fallen into Social Security Clawback Hell. Last year I ran onto discussions by Kotlikoff and Savage about clawback of mistaken SS payments.

Here's a starting point to see some of their information.

Social Security Horror Stories - The Book & Website - Terry Savage

Social Security is clawing back $21.6 Billion in mistaken overpayments to elderly retirees and disabled people because the agency miscalculated benefits, often for decades! It could happen to you – or your parents. Social Security has unchecked power. If you don’t repay their mistakes, they...

www.terrysavage.com

and

Social Security Horror Stories | Eye-Opening Testimonials

Stay informed! Explore real-life Social Security horror stories that shed light on the frustrations faced by Americans navigating the system.

socialsecurityhorrorstories.com

 

[Truce]

So if you get hit with Irmaa and 2 yrs later your income tanks . Does ss automatically adjust your part B premium . What if you never appeal it and your income drops?

Don, think of this as a one way street. If you don't appeal, that money is not recoverable if you come in lower.

But get this, if you DO appeal, and the appeal is granted, you are still not out of the woods. The IRS and SS will be watching your return for the year you appealed, and if your income comes in higher than what you estimated and puts you into IRMAA or into a higher IRMAA bracket than you appealed to, you will be charged retroactively according the IRMAA you should have paid. Fun stuff this IRMAA.

If not mentioned already, I tell people to appeal in person at the local office. Bring documents (severance letters, cobra letters, very recently files taxes), bring both spouses if filing jointly, and the SS employees have the power to approve on the spot.