Senior Healthcare- Pamela Steenhoek

08/01/2026

Roughly 600,000 people enrolled in Humana Medicare Advantage plans are set to lose that coverage in 2027, after the insurer said it will pull out of its least profitable markets. The move is a business decision aimed at repairing thin margins, but the fallout lands on members who will have to shop for a new plan during this fall’s enrollment season. For anyone in an affected plan, the calendar and the details of the switch matter more than the corporate strategy behind it.

07/29/2026

07/29/2026

Why Are So Many Seniors Paying Taxes on Social Security? The Rules Haven’t Changed in More Than 40 Years.

Many retirees are surprised to learn they owe federal income tax on their Social Security benefits.

In fact, one of the most common questions I hear is:

“I already paid taxes while I was working. Why am I paying taxes on my Social Security now?”

The answer goes back more than four decades.

The Rules Were Created in 1983

Before 1984, Social Security benefits were generally not subject to federal income tax.

That changed when Congress passed legislation in 1983 to help strengthen the Social Security Trust Fund. Beginning in 1984, some retirees with higher incomes became subject to federal income tax on a portion of their Social Security benefits. (Center for Retirement Research⁠)

The Income Limits Have Never Been Adjusted for Inflation

Here’s what surprises most people…

Although almost every other part of the tax code is adjusted for inflation, these Social Security income thresholds have remained exactly the same for more than 40 years.

If You File as Single

Combined income under $25,000

* None of your Social Security benefits are taxable.

Combined income between $25,000 and $34,000

* Up to 50% of your Social Security benefits may be taxable.

Combined income over $34,000

* Up to 85% of your Social Security benefits may be taxable. (Center for Retirement Research⁠)

If You’re Married Filing Jointly

Combined income under $32,000

* None of your Social Security benefits are taxable.

Combined income between $32,000 and $44,000

* Up to 50% of your Social Security benefits may be taxable.

Combined income over $44,000

* Up to 85% of your Social Security benefits may be taxable. (Center for Retirement Research⁠)

What Is “Combined Income”?

The IRS doesn’t simply look at your Social Security check.

Instead, it calculates something called combined income, which includes:

* Your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)
* Any tax-exempt interest (such as some municipal bond interest)
* Plus one-half of your Social Security benefits (Bipartisan Policy Center⁠)

Why More Seniors Pay Tax Today

When these limits were created in 1983, they affected only a relatively small percentage of retirees.

Since then:

* Social Security benefits have increased.
* Pensions and retirement accounts have grown.
* Required minimum distributions (RMDs) create additional taxable income.
* Inflation has increased incomes over time.

Yet the income thresholds have never changed.

As a result, millions more retirees now pay taxes on their Social Security benefits than Congress originally anticipated. (Kiplinger⁠)

One Important Myth

Many people believe 85% of their Social Security check is taxed.

That’s not what the law says.

The law says up to 85% of your benefits may be included as taxable income. You still pay tax at your normal federal income tax rate—not an additional 85% tax.

The Bottom Line

These Social Security taxation rules have remained largely unchanged for over 40 years. Because the income thresholds have never been adjusted for inflation, more retirees become subject to federal income tax every year.

Understanding these rules can help you plan withdrawals from retirement accounts, avoid unnecessary tax surprises, and make better decisions about your retirement income.

Questions about Medicare, IRMAA, or retirement income planning? I’m always happy to help explain the rules in plain English.

Pamela Steenhoek
281.904.5447

07/23/2026

Medicare Has Changed Dramatically Over the Last 20 Years

When I began my career as a Medicare broker in 2005, the standard Medicare Part B premium was $78.20 per month.

At that time, Medicare looked very different than it does today. Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage had not yet begun—it would be introduced the following year in 2006. Since then, Medicare has continued to evolve through new benefits, changing regulations, updated prescription drug coverage, and the transition from Plan F to Plan G for newly eligible beneficiaries.

Today, in 2026, the standard Medicare Part B premium is $202.90 per month.

Looking back over the past two decades, it is remarkable to see how much the Medicare program has changed. Yet one thing has remained constant throughout my career: the importance of helping people understand their options and make informed decisions.

For more than 20 years, I have been committed to providing honest, straightforward guidance and staying current with Medicare’s many changes so my clients can feel confident in their coverage.

I am grateful for the trust so many individuals and families have placed in me over the years. It has truly been a privilege to serve this community, and I look forward to many more years of helping people navigate Medicare with confidence.

Pamela Steenhoek
Medicare Broker Since 2005
Steenhoek Medicare, Life and Health Insurance Agency LLC

07/19/2026

The 2-year look-back refers to how Medicare determines whether you’ll pay an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) for your Medicare Part B and Part D premiums.

Here’s how it works:

* Medicare uses your federal tax return from two years earlier to determine your premiums.
* For example:
* 2026 Medicare premiums are based on your 2024 tax return.
* 2027 Medicare premiums will be based on your 2025 tax return.

What is IRMAA?

IRMAA is an additional premium charged to higher-income Medicare beneficiaries.

If your income exceeds certain thresholds, you’ll pay:

* A higher Part B premium (in addition to the standard premium).
* An extra Part D surcharge, regardless of which Part D or Medicare Advantage drug plan you choose.

Medicare looks at your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI), which is generally:

* Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), plus
* Tax-exempt interest income.

Why the 2-year look-back matters

Suppose you:

* Sell a business,
* Convert a large IRA to a Roth,
* Sell highly appreciated stock, or
* Have another one-time spike in income in 2024.

That higher income could cause you to pay higher Medicare premiums during 2026, even if your income drops again in 2026.

Can you appeal IRMAA?

Yes. If your income has decreased because of a life-changing event, you can ask Social Security to reduce or remove your IRMAA. Qualifying events include:

* Retirement or reduced work hours
* Marriage
* Divorce or annulment
* Death of a spouse
* Loss of income-producing property
* Loss of a pension
* Employer settlement payment

A Roth conversion or investment gains alone generally do not qualify for an appeal because they are voluntary financial decisions.

As a Medicare agent, this is an important planning tool for your clients. If someone is considering a large Roth conversion or selling appreciated assets, it’s worth reminding them that the tax impact may also increase their Medicare premiums two years later. Sometimes spreading income over multiple years can help keep them below an IRMAA threshold.