AARP Hearing Center
Each spouse pays separate Medicare premiums, and married couples don’t get a discount. If both spouses are enrolled in Medicare Part B, they each pay $174.70 a month in 2024; more for couples with high incomes.
If you’re receiving Social Security benefits, your Medicare Part B premiums are automatically deducted. Otherwise you’ll each receive a quarterly bill for your Part B premiums, which you can pay four ways:
- Log in to your online Medicare account.
- Mail your payment to Medicare.
- Sign up for automatic deductions from your bank account through Medicare Easy Pay.
- Use your bank’s online bill payment service.
Part A and Part B deductibles, copayments and other out-of-pocket costs apply separately to each spouse.
Does marriage affect Medicare costs?
Yes. Even though each spouse pays separate premiums, being married and enrolled in Medicare has benefits and drawbacks.
The good news. You can qualify for premium-free Part A based on your spouse’s work record. Most people don’t pay premiums for Medicare Part A because Medicare taxes were deducted from their paychecks for at least 40 quarters of work, the equivalent of 10 years or more.
If you haven’t worked that long but your spouse has, you can qualify for premium-free Part A based on your partner’s record. If neither of you have worked that long, you’ll have to pay Part A premiums.
In 2024, if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes for 30 to 39 quarters, you pay $278 a month; if fewer than 30 quarters, you pay $505 a month.
The bad news. Joint income affects premiums for high earners. People with high incomes pay more for Medicare Part B and Part D prescription plan premiums, and the high-income surcharge is based on joint income for married couples filing a joint income tax return.
More From AARP
How to Enroll in Medicare Online
This guide walks you through the enrollment process and decisions you need to make about coverage
You Can Have a Successful Later-in-Life Marriage. Here’s How
From kindness to having a sense of humor, one woman shares her rules for a happy new marriage as an older adult
Where can I find answers to my Medicare questions?
We have 5 resources for you to check out, including AARP
Recommended for You