The one that lasts for life
What does a late Part B enrollment actually cost?
Ten percent is added to your premium for every full year you could have had Part B and didn’t — and it stays for as long as you have it. Two dates will tell you where you stand.
Your estimate will show here.
Enter two dates and you’ll see:
- Whether a penalty applies at all
- What it adds every month, and every year
- What it comes to if you carry it through retirement
Before you assume the worst
The exceptions matter more than the arithmetic.
Most people who think they owe a penalty had coverage that protected them, and some who assume they are fine are running out a clock they can’t see. If either might be you, it is a short conversation.
Go through it with meor call (336) 365-7422
How is the Part B late enrollment penalty calculated?
Medicare adds 10% to the standard Part B premium for each full 12-month period you could have had Part B and didn't. Only complete years count: eleven months late is no penalty, and thirteen months is one period rather than one and a bit. The 2026 standard premium is $202.90, so one full year late works out to about $20.30 a month.
How long does the penalty last?
For as long as you have Part B. It is not a one-time charge and it does not fall off after a few years, which is what makes a short delay expensive over a retirement.
I kept working past 65. Do I owe a penalty?
Usually not. Health coverage through a job you or your spouse currently work at generally gives you a Special Enrollment Period, and no penalty, as long as you enroll within eight months of that employment or coverage ending. Retiree coverage, COBRA, and marketplace plans do not work the same way, which is where people get caught.
Does the penalty go up if I pay IRMAA?
No. The percentage is applied to the standard premium, not to an income-adjusted one, so someone paying an income-related surcharge does not also pay a surcharged penalty.
Can a penalty be appealed?
Yes, in some situations — for example if you were given the wrong information by a federal employee, or if your employer coverage was miscounted. There is a formal process, and it is worth reviewing the specifics with someone before you accept the charge.