We show what the tax return Medicare is using means for Medicare — before November surprises you.
Retirement Tax Radar is for married US households about 63–67 (and singles in the same income band) with IRA or 401(k) savings and income near the Medicare line: about $218,000 joint or $109,000 single on the tax return Medicare uses two years later.
Who this is for
- About 63–67, married or single, with an IRA or 401(k) and household income near $218,000 joint or $109,000 single
- January Social Security already felt lighter, or you got a Medicare letter, or someone mentioned “the income line”
- You want to know what the tax return Medicare is using means for Medicare before anyone moves money from a retirement account
Not this: under ~55 still accumulating, monthly advisor plans, “convert exactly $X” calculators, or guaranteed savings promises
What you type
Two questions on the free check: married filing jointly? income from the return Medicare is using. No 1040 upload required. No account.
What you get back
A plain under/over answer, what one extra dollar costs for twelve months ($1,148.40 per person / $2,296.80 couple, CMS Nov 14 2025), standard Part B vs the income-related extra, what happens if nothing changes, and a labeled comparison list. We never output a recommended conversion dollar amount or “the better path is.”
Free vs $99/year
| Free | $99/year | |
|---|---|---|
| Two-question check + result meaning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Save household + reopen | — | ✓ |
| Year-by-year lookback map | — | ✓ |
| Widow line + SSA-44 flag + CPA print | — | ✓ |
What we believe
- Educational estimates only. Decisions stay yours and your CPA’s.
- Faceless. No advisor headshots, no fake urgency, no guaranteed savings.
- Honest outputs. When doing nothing is the picture, we say Hold steady.