Income planning guide
Plan the income decision before Medicare sees it.
Organize an income decision, its tax treatment and the Medicare year it may affect. This guide and checklist support a discussion with your adviser.
Start with the right calendar
A 2026 income event ordinarily relates to 2028 premiums. The calculator includes verified 2025 and 2026 tables, not an official 2028 forecast. Use those tables only for their stated years. This page does not calculate income taxes, an RMD, a conversion recommendation or a multi-year projection.
Understand each income event
| Event | What to establish | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Roth conversion | Taxable conversion amount after basis analysis | Read the guide |
| Brokerage or home sale | Reportable gain, rather than gross cash proceeds | Read the guide |
| Required minimum distribution | Taxable IRA distribution and timing | Read the guide |
| Charitable IRA distribution | Qualifying exclusion already reflected in AGI | Read the guide |
| Municipal bond interest | Tax-exempt interest added to AGI | Read the guide |
Decision preparation checklist
Selections stay in this page's memory and clear on refresh. No financial details are collected.
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Use a supported-year estimate
Once AGI and tax-exempt interest are established independently, enter them with the correct filing and coverage assumptions. A Medicare estimate is one part of a wider decision.
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