Retire With $2M+? How to Avoid Costly Medicare Surcharges

Some retirement decisions can't be undone. Each week, we work through one of them with real numbers. Free to join: https://www.hapfinancial.com/ytsubscr... Retired but still paying high-income Medicare premiums? Form SSA-44 lets you request an IRMAA reduction after a life-changing event like retirement, and in some cases eliminate the surcharge entirely. Here's who qualifies, what to file, and why Roth conversions and capital gains don't qualify for relief. ▶️ WATCH NEXT 👇    • A Real Retirement Tax Plan, Start to Finish   SUBSCRIBE TO SEASONS OF WEALTH ON YOUTUBE    / @hapanowicz-financial   🤔 ABOUT THIS VIDEO In this video, Bobby Hapanowicz explains why your first Medicare premiums after retirement can be based on your highest earning years, and how Form SSA-44 lets you ask Social Security to use your lower current income instead. You'll learn which life-changing events qualify for IRMAA relief, including work stoppage, reduced work, marriage, divorce, death of a spouse, and loss of pension income, plus what documentation to submit and why each spouse must file separately. Bobby also covers what doesn't qualify, including Roth conversions, capital gains, large IRA withdrawals, and real estate sales, and why that makes managing the income phase in your early 60s so important. If you're planning Roth conversions before 65, this is how to run your conversion plan and your Medicare brackets as one calculation. 📖 Chapter Timestamps 0:00 Why Medicare bills you like you're still working after retirement 0:26 What Form SSA-44 can do for your Medicare premiums 0:52 Retired at 65 but paying high-income Part B and Part D premiums 1:10 The two-year MAGI lookback behind IRMAA 1:48 How Form SSA-44 works: a new IRMAA determination 2:05 Life-changing events that qualify for IRMAA relief 2:27 Example: from $300,000 working income to $150,000 in retirement 3:05 Can an approved SSA-44 refund past Medicare surcharges? 3:24 What doesn't qualify: Roth conversions, capital gains, IRA withdrawals 4:02 IRMAA thresholds are cliffs, not brackets 4:20 What documents to submit with Form SSA-44 4:56 How to file Form SSA-44 online or by mail 5:03 Married couples: why each spouse files separately 5:19 Keep paying premiums while your request is pending 5:28 IRMAA appeals and the 60-day deadline 5:50 The SSA-44 decision checklist 6:01 Planning Roth conversions and Medicare as one calculation 6:35 Next: one $4.8M portfolio run two different ways ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ABOUT HAPANOWICZ FINANCIAL Bobby Hapanowicz helps pre-retirees within a few years of their last paycheck — typically with $2M–$10M in investable assets — navigate Social Security timing, Roth conversions, RMDs, and retirement tax planning. Hapanowicz Financial is based in Pittsburgh and serves clients nationally. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ⚠️ DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not individualized investment, tax, or legal advice. Investment advisory services are offered through Hapanowicz & Associates Financial Services, Inc., an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Consult a qualified professional regarding your specific situation. #HapanowiczFinancial #SeasonsOfWealth #BobbyHapanowicz