How much of your Social Security will the IRS tax?
Enter what you expect to live on in retirement. See how much of your Social Security becomes taxable, whether you'd trigger Medicare IRMAA surcharges, and what changes if part of that income came from Bucket 3 instead.
Your 2026 snapshot
Calculating- Provisional income
- $0What Social Security measures
- Taxable Social Security
- $0
- Income Medicare sees
- $0
Today vs. with Bucket 3
Estimates only, using 2026 federal rules: Social Security provisional income thresholds of $25,000 / $34,000 single and $32,000 / $44,000 joint, and 2026 IRMAA brackets based on income from two years earlier. Part B surcharges assume every person on the return is enrolled; Part D surcharges are extra. IRMAA brackets adjust every year, and premiums are set from income two years earlier. Bucket 3 income assumes qualified Roth withdrawals or properly structured life insurance loans that are not taxable. This is not tax advice. Your CPA should confirm your situation.
Why one extra dollar can cost more than a dollar.
Up to $1.85 taxed for every $1
Between the thresholds, each extra dollar of 401k income can make another 50 or 85 cents of Social Security taxable too. Your real tax rate on that dollar can be far higher than your bracket.
One dollar over costs a full year
IRMAA isn't gradual. Go one dollar over a bracket and you pay that tier's premium for the whole year, per person.
Income the formulas ignore
Qualified Roth withdrawals and properly structured life insurance loans don't count in either formula. That's the power of Bucket 3.
What would it mean to finally know your number?
Your Wealth Gap is the dollar amount your current setup is costing you in taxes, interest and missed growth. The discovery call is free, takes 30 minutes, and you'll leave knowing where you stand.
Prefer to talk now? Call or text 301-945-8300