SwitchWize Research Desk
Retirees 2026: Social Security, Medicare, and Tax Changes
A 2.8% Social Security raise, a 9.7% Medicare Part B jump that ate up close to a third of it, Full Retirement Age finally reaching 67, and a new $6,000 senior tax deduction -- here is what actually changed, and every SwitchWize retirement calculator in one place.
Last reviewed September 2, 2026 · SwitchWize Research Desk
Social Security
+2.8%
2026 COLA raises the average retired-worker check from about $2,015 to about $2,071/mo.
Medicare Part B
$202.90/mo
Up from $185 -- a 9.7% jump that ate close to a third of the average dollar COLA raise.
Full Retirement Age
67
The phase-in completes in 2026 for everyone born 1960 or later.
New senior deduction
$6,000
Extra federal deduction at 65+, phasing out above $75,000 MAGI ($150,000 joint).
Why this is a squeeze year, not just a raise year
A 2.8% COLA sounds like more money, but the Medicare Part B increase is deducted directly from most Social Security checks before a retiree ever sees the raise. Every calculator below is here because the 2026 changes touch a specific decision -- when to claim, how much to convert to Roth before an IRMAA cliff, how to fund a long-term-care gap -- not because any single number tells the whole story.
Claiming Social Security
Social Security Break-Even Calculator
Find the optimal age to start claiming benefits.
Social Security Spousal Claiming Strategy
Compare two spouses claiming ages together, including the survivor-benefit protection gained by delaying.
Retirement Year Calculator
A computed Social Security estimate and your real effective tax rate for a specific retirement year.
Medicare and healthcare
Medicare IRMAA Planner
Estimate Part B and Part D surcharges, find your income tier, and check SSA-44 appeal fit.
Bridge to Medicare Coverage Planner
Plan the health-insurance runway between early retirement and Medicare eligibility.
Healthcare Cost in Retirement
Project an annual healthcare budget across retirement.
Long-Term Care Funding Gap Planner
Project care cost after inflation, insurance, and family support.
Long-Term Care Insurance Fit Planner
Compare LTC insurance premiums against expected care costs before buying a policy.
Taxes and Roth conversions
RMD Planner
Calculate a required minimum distribution, then QCD impact, withholding, and IRMAA headroom.
Retirement Tax Stack Planner
Size a Roth conversion corridor across bracket room, IRMAA headroom, and RMD pressure.
Roth Conversion Calculator with IRMAA Cliff
Size a conversion to fill your bracket without crossing the next Medicare surcharge threshold.
Roth Conversion Window Calculator
Convert now, partially, or wait -- compares future after-tax value.
Retirement State Tax Relocation Planner
Compare relocating after state income tax, pension exemptions, and property tax.
Turning savings into income
Retirement Income Planner
Estimate monthly income, after-tax spendable cash, and the gap versus target spending.
Retirement Paycheck Builder
Turn Social Security, pension, and portfolio withdrawals into a monthly paycheck plan.
Retirement Drawdown Stress Test
Stress-test how long a portfolio may last under a first-year market shock.
Safe Withdrawal Rate Calculator
Apply the classic 4% rule to see sustainable annual income.
Retirement Cash Bucket Planner
Size a cash bucket and bond bridge so near-term spending never depends on selling into a downturn.
Sequence Risk Calculator
See why the order returns arrive in, not just their average, matters.
Why Retirement Calculators Disagree
Run the same numbers through three real methodologies and see why the answers differ.
Pensions and annuities
Caregiving
Frequently asked questions
How much did Social Security go up in 2026?▾
The 2026 cost-of-living adjustment is 2.8%, raising the average retired worker benefit from about $2,015 to about $2,071 a month.
Why did my Medicare premium go up so much this year?▾
The standard Medicare Part B premium rose from $185 to $202.90 a month for 2026, a 9.7% increase, and the Part B deductible rose to $283. Because Medicare premiums are typically deducted directly from a Social Security check, that increase ate up close to a third of the average dollar COLA raise.
Is the Full Retirement Age really 67 now?▾
Yes. The phase-in that began with the 1983 Social Security amendments completes in 2026: Full Retirement Age is 67 for everyone born in 1960 or later. Claiming at 62 against a 67 Full Retirement Age still cuts the monthly benefit by about 30% for life.
What is the new $6,000 senior deduction?▾
The 2025 tax law (the One Big Beautiful Bill Act) added a temporary $6,000 additional federal deduction for filers 65 and older, on top of the existing age-65 standard-deduction bump, phasing out above $75,000 of MAGI ($150,000 married filing jointly). It does not make Social Security itself tax-free -- confirm your own numbers with a tax professional.
This page provides general information, not personalized financial, tax, or legal advice. Figures reflect current published 2026 rules and can change -- confirm your own situation with the Social Security Administration, Medicare.gov, or a qualified professional before acting.