IRMAA life-changing events › Loss of income-producing property
IRMAA after losing income-producing property
You lost property that earned income, not by your choice. If that lowered your income, Social Security can set your IRMAA from the newer, lower year instead of your income from two years ago. You ask with Form SSA-44 and tick "Loss of Income-Producing Property".
Does it qualify?
Counts
- A federally declared disaster destroyed it
- Arson
- Livestock or crops lost to disaster or disease
- Investment property lost to fraud or theft, with a criminal conviction
Doesn't count
- Selling the property, even at a loss
- Ordinary market losses on stocks or funds
Worked example: Frank, lost a rental home in a declared disaster
Frank's rental house was destroyed by a hurricane in September 2025, in a declared disaster area, and the rent stopped. His 2026 premium was based on his 2024 income, rent included.
| Income | MAGI | IRMAA a month |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 income (used now) | $131,000 | $95.70 |
| 2025 income (asked for) | $101,000 | $0.00 |
Saves $95.70 a month
Watch out: Only property lost through no choice of yours counts. Selling, even at a loss, doesn't.
Proof of the event: send one
- An insurance adjuster's statement, or the insurer's claim letter. Showing what was lost and when.
- Or a letter from a government agency about the uncompensated loss. For example, about a federally declared disaster.
- Fraud or theft: proof of the criminal conviction. A court record. A police report alone isn't enough.
- Helpful: the page of your tax return showing the income it earned. For a rental, Schedule E.
You also need proof of income for the year in Step 2: a signed copy of your Form 1040 or an IRS transcript. For a year you haven't filed yet, your estimate on the form is enough for now.
Don't have it yet?
Check before you send
- The loss wasn't your choice
- The income the property earned is gone from your Step 2 figures
- Your name and Social Security number are on every page
- You kept a full copy of everything you sent
Send it online after signing in to your my Social Security account, or to your local Social Security office. The Form SSA-44 guide walks through every step. If Social Security says no, see how to appeal IRMAA.
Frank would save $1,148.40 a year. The kit costs $49 once, with a filled SSA-44 for your exact event.
Everything you need to fill out Form SSA-44, prove your life-changing event, and stop paying a surcharge based on income you no longer have.
- SSA-44 walkthrough for all 8 life-changing events
- Evidence checklist for your event
- What gets rejected, and why
- Income estimate worksheet
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The official forms are free from ssa.gov and cms.gov. The kit is the help filling them in and proving your case. See everything inside
The other life-changing events
- Retirement (work stoppage)
- Cutting back hours (work reduction)
- Divorce or annulment
- Death of a spouse
- Marriage
- Loss of pension income
- Employer settlement payment
Questions people ask
Does loss of income-producing property count as a life-changing event for IRMAA?
Yes. "Loss of Income-Producing Property" is one of the 8 life-changing events on Form SSA-44. You lost property that earned income, not by your choice. It lowers IRMAA only if your income dropped enough to move you to a lower bracket.
What proof do I need?
An insurance adjuster's statement, or the insurer's claim letter. Or a letter from a government agency about the uncompensated loss. Fraud or theft: proof of the criminal conviction. Helpful: the page of your tax return showing the income it earned. You also need proof of income for the year in Step 2: a signed copy of your tax return or an IRS transcript, or your estimate for a year not filed yet.
What date goes in Step 1?
The month and year of the loss.
Which tax year do I put in Step 2?
The first year with the lower income. It must be more recent than the year Social Security used, and not before the event. If this year (the premium year) will be lower than last year, use this year as an estimate.