About the Medicare Savings Program Calculator
This Medicare Savings Program calculator checks your income and savings against the 2026 federal limits for the three main programs — Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB), Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) and Qualifying Individual (QI) — plus Extra Help (the Part D Low-Income Subsidy). Medicare Savings Programs are run by state Medicaid agencies and pay your Part B premium, which is $202.90 a month in 2026; QMB also pays Part A and B deductibles, coinsurance and copays.
It is meant for people with Medicare, their families and benefit counselors who want a quick screen before applying. Enter monthly income from Social Security, pensions and other unearned sources separately from wages, because earned income gets an extra $65 disregard and only half of the rest counts. The calculator applies the $20 general income disregard automatically, which is why the published QMB limit is $1,350 a month for one person even though 100% of poverty is $1,330.
The federal limits are 100%, 120% and 135% of the 2026 poverty guidelines for QMB, SLMB and QI, with resources up to $9,950 for one person or $14,910 for a married couple. Many states are more generous: some disregard more income, use higher percentages, or have no asset test at all, so apply even if you are a little over.
How to use the medicare savings program calculator
- 1Choose single or married — married couples living together are assessed on combined income.
- 2Enter monthly unearned income such as gross Social Security and pensions.
- 3Enter any monthly earnings from work separately.
- 4Enter savings and investments that count as resources.
- 5Read which program you meet, then apply through your state Medicaid office.
Formula and method
Medicare Savings Programs count income the same way SSI does. The first $20 of income each month is ignored (taken from unearned income first). From earnings, a further $65 is ignored and then only half of what remains counts. Your countable income is compared with 100%, 120% and 135% of the monthly 2026 poverty guideline for a household of one (single) or two (married), rounded up to the dollar. The gross limits shown add back the $20 disregard so they match the figures published on Medicare.gov ($1,350, $1,616 and $1,816 for one person).
Resources must be no more than $9,950 for one person or $14,910 for a couple in 2026. Extra Help uses 150% of poverty ($23,940 single, $32,460 couple a year) with resource limits of $18,090 and $36,100, and anyone enrolled in an MSP gets Extra Help automatically. QDWI (for working disabled people who lost premium-free Part A) has separate rules and is not modeled.
- U
- Gross monthly unearned income (Social Security, pensions, interest)
- E
- Gross monthly earned income
- FPL
- 2026 annual poverty guideline for 1 or 2 people
- p
- Program percentage of poverty
Worked examples
Single, $1,500 Social Security, $5,000 savings
After the $20 disregard, countable income is $1,480. That is over the QMB limit of $1,330 countable ($1,350 gross) but under the SLMB limit of $1,596 countable ($1,616 gross). SLMB pays the $202.90 Part B premium — $2,434.80 a year.
Married couple, $1,700 benefits plus $600 wages
Unearned income counts as $1,700 − $20 = $1,680. Wages count as ($600 − $65) ÷ 2 = $267.50. Total countable income of $1,947.50 is above the couple QMB limit of $1,804 countable but below the SLMB limit of $2,164, and $12,000 is under the $14,910 resource limit.
Single, $1,300 income but $15,000 savings
Income alone would qualify for QMB ($1,280 countable vs. $1,330), but $15,000 is over the $9,950 resource limit. It is under the $18,090 Extra Help resource limit and income is below $23,940 a year, so Extra Help is still likely.
Frequently asked questions
What are the 2026 Medicare Savings Program income limits?+
For one person the monthly limits are $1,350 for QMB, $1,616 for SLMB and $1,816 for QI. For a married couple they are $1,824, $2,184 and $2,455. Alaska and Hawaii are higher, and resources must be under $9,950 (single) or $14,910 (couple).
What does QMB pay for?+
QMB pays the Part A premium (if you owe one), the Part B premium, and the deductibles, coinsurance and copays for Medicare-covered services. Doctors and hospitals are not allowed to bill QMB members for those costs.
What is the difference between SLMB and QI?+
Both pay only the Part B premium ($202.90 a month in 2026). SLMB covers income from 100% to 120% of poverty; QI covers 120% to 135%, is funded in blocks each year and must be reapplied for annually, and you cannot get QI if you have Medicaid.
Do Medicare Savings Program members get Extra Help automatically?+
Yes. Anyone enrolled in QMB, SLMB or QI is automatically deemed eligible for Extra Help, which lowers Part D premiums, deductibles and prescription copays. You do not need a separate application.
What counts as a resource for a Medicare Savings Program?+
Money in checking and savings accounts, stocks, bonds and mutual funds. Your home, one car, household goods, a burial plot and up to $1,500 set aside for burial expenses per person are not counted.
Should I apply if I am slightly over the limits?+
Yes. States can use more generous income and asset methods — some have no asset test and some cover people up to much higher incomes — and state Medicaid offices make the final decision.
Results are estimates for educational purposes and are not financial advice. Rates, fees and terms vary — confirm with your lender or a licensed advisor before making decisions.