Here's the short answer. The "hold harmless" rule is a protection written into the law. If the Part B premium goes up, it is meant to keep your net Social Security benefit from going down. It does not protect everyone. Social Security has said it does not cover higher-income people who pay an income-adjusted Part B premium, or people who are newly entitled to Part B that year. And if a state program pays your Part B premium, your Social Security benefit does not change; the state pays any increase.
Why this question comes up every fall
Two announcements land close together. Social Security announces its yearly cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA. For 2026, it was 2.8 percent, which Social Security said averaged about $56 more per month for retirement benefits. Medicare also sets the Part B premium for the year. For many people, the Part B premium comes out of the Social Security check before it is paid. So a rise in the premium can eat into the raise.
The hold harmless rule is the reason some people's checks do not fall when the premium rises. The 2027 Part B premium had not been posted when this page was written. See What's Changing in Medicare Costs for 2027 for the latest on what is known.
Who the rule is meant to protect
Social Security has described it this way: the law has a hold harmless provision that protects about 70 percent of Social Security beneficiaries from paying a higher Part B premium, in order to avoid reducing their net Social Security benefit. The share of people covered changes from year to year, so treat that number as an example from one past year.
In plain terms, you are the kind of person it was written for if you are already on Part B and your premium comes out of your Social Security benefit.
Who is not protected
- Higher-income members. If you pay an income-adjusted Part B premium, the rule does not protect you. See Understanding Your Costs for how income-related premiums work.
- People new to Part B. Social Security said people newly entitled to Part B in that year are not protected.
- People whose state pays the premium. Their Social Security benefit does not change. The state pays any increase. See Getting Help Paying and Dual-Eligible Coverage.
What the rule does not do
- It does not change what Part B covers. See Medicare Part B.
- It does not touch other costs, such as your Part D or Medicare Advantage premium, or your deductibles. Those are separate. Look at your Annual Notice of Change.
- It speaks only to the Part B premium taken from your Social Security benefit. Your own result depends on your situation.
How to check your own letter
- Watch for your COLA notice. Social Security begins mailing new-benefit notices in early December. The notice shows your new benefit and any deductions.
- Find the Part B line. It shows what is taken out for Medicare.
- Compare to last year. If the numbers surprise you, call Social Security.
- Ask about help paying. If the premium is a strain, ask about Medicare Savings Programs. See Getting Help Paying. Your SHIP gives free counseling.
Common questions
Will my Social Security check go down if the Part B premium goes up?
If you are covered by the hold harmless rule, it is meant to prevent that. If you are not covered, your take-home amount could be lower than the raise suggests.
I'm new to Medicare this year. Am I covered?
Social Security has said people newly entitled to Part B in that year are not protected.
My state pays my Part B premium. Does this affect me?
Your Social Security benefit does not change when the premium rises. The state has to pay any increase.
Where do I see the new Part B premium?
Medicare.gov posts it when CMS announces it, usually in the fall. See What's Changing in Medicare Costs for 2027 and Medicare Part B.
Official sources
- SSA.gov: Press release describing the hold harmless provision (October 2015)
- SSA.gov: 2026 benefit increase announcement
- Medicare.gov: Medicare costs