Part B late enrollment penalty calculator
Delaying Medicare Part B without qualifying coverage adds 10% of the standard premium for every full 12 months you wait, and the surcharge usually lasts for life. Enter your dates and see what a delay costs, this year and over the next decade.
Your IEP is the 7 months around your 65th birthday month, so it ends 3 months after your birthday month. If you only know your 65th birthday, pick the month 3 months later.
If you haven't enrolled yet, leave today's date to see the penalty as of now.
Your job or your spouse's job, while actively working. COBRA and retiree coverage do not count.
For 2026 the standard Part B premium is $202.90 per month (CMS, November 14, 2025). Social Security calculates official penalties from its own records; this estimate is educational. If your delay was covered by a Special Enrollment Period, the months may not count at all, which is exactly the kind of thing we verify for clients at no cost.
Part B penalty questions
Does employer coverage really stop the Part B penalty?
Coverage from your or your spouse's current, active employment generally does, and it earns you an 8-month Special Enrollment Period when the employment or the coverage ends. COBRA and retiree coverage do not count, which is one of the most expensive misunderstandings in Medicare.
How long does the Part B penalty last?
For as long as you have Part B, in most cases for life. It is recalculated against each year's standard premium, so as the premium rises over time, the dollar amount of your penalty rises with it.
When can I enroll if I missed my window?
The General Enrollment Period runs January 1 to March 31 each year, with coverage starting the month after you enroll. Every extra 12 months that pass can add another 10% to the penalty, so enrolling at the next opportunity usually beats waiting.
I think I qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. What now?
If you kept employer coverage past 65, or another qualifying situation applies, you may be able to enroll penalty-free. Our free Medicare Enrollment Finder can check your situation, or bring it to us and we will verify it before you file anything.
Related reading: How much is the Part B late enrollment penalty? · What is a Medicare Special Enrollment Period? · Check whether you have an enrollment opportunity
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 10 organizations which offer 90 products in your area. Please contact medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.
Think a penalty may apply to you? Verify before you pay.
Some delays qualify for a Special Enrollment Period and carry no penalty at all. Before accepting a surcharge for life, let a licensed agent look at your timeline. Free, no obligation.
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