Key Elder Law Numbers for 2021: Our Annual Roundup

Below are figures for 2021 that are frequently used in the elder law practice or are of interest to clients.

Medicaid Spousal Impoverishment Figures for 2021

The new minimum community spouse resource allowance (CSRA) is $26,076 and the maximum CSRA is $130,380. The maximum monthly maintenance needs allowance is $3,259.50. The minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance remains $2,155 ($2,693.75 for Alaska and $2,478.75 for Hawaii) until July 1, 2021.

Medicaid Home Equity Limits

Minimum: $603,000

Maximum: $906,000

For CMS's complete chart of the 2021 SSI and Spousal Impoverishment Standards, click here.

Income Cap

The income cap for 2021 applicable in "income cap" states is $2,382 a month.

Gift and estate tax figures

Federal estate tax exemption: $11.7 million for individuals, $23.4 million for married couples

Lifetime tax exclusion for gifts: $11.7 million

Generation-skipping transfer tax exemption: $11.7 million

Annual gift tax exclusion: $15,000 (unchanged)

For these and other inflation adjustments from the IRS, click here.

Long-Term Care Premium Deductibility Limits for 2021

The Internal Revenue Service has announced the 2021 limitations on the deductibility of long-term care insurance premiums from income. Any premium amounts above these limits are not considered to be a medical expense.

Benefits from per diem or indemnity policies, which pay a predetermined amount each day, are not included in income except amounts that exceed the beneficiary's total qualified long-term care expenses or $400 per day (for 2021), whichever is greater. For these and other inflation adjustments from the IRS, click here.

VA Benefits

Asset limit: $130,773 (effective 12/1/2020)

Penalty Period Rate: $2,295

Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR) income limits:

Aid and Attendance MAPR:

Aid and Attendance monthly rates:

For the 2021 Pension Rate Table from MilitaryBenefits.info, click here.

Medicare Premiums, Deductibles and Copayments for 2021

• Part B premium: $148.50/month (was $144.60)
• Part B deductible: $203 (was $198)
• Part A deductible: $1,484 (was $1,408)
• Co-payment for hospital stay days 61-90: $371/day (was $352)
• Co-payment for hospital stay days 91 and beyond: $742/day (was $704)
• Skilled nursing facility co-payment, days 21-100: $185.50/day (was $176)

Part B premiums for higher-income beneficiaries:

• Individuals with annual incomes between $88,000 and $111,000 and married couples with annual incomes between $176,000 and $222,000 will pay a monthly premium of $207.80
• Individuals with annual incomes between $111,000 and $138,000 and married couples with annual incomes between $222,000 and $276,000 will pay a monthly premium of $297
• Individuals with annual incomes between $138,000 and $165,000 and married couples with annual incomes between $276,000 and $330,000 will pay a monthly premium of $386.10
• Individuals with annual incomes between above $165,000 and less than $500,000 and married couples with annual incomes above $330,000 and less than $750,000 will pay a monthly premium of $475.20
• Individuals with annual incomes above $500,000 and married couples with annual incomes above $750,000 will pay a monthly premium of $504.90

High-earner premiums differ for beneficiaries who are married but file a separate tax return from their spouse. Those with incomes greater than $88,000 and less than $412,000 will pay a monthly premium of $475.20. Those with incomes greater than $412,000 will pay a monthly premium of $504.90.

For Medicare's "Medicare 2020 and 2021 costs at a glance," click here.

Social Security Benefits for 2021

The new monthly federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment standard is $794 for an individual and $1,191 for a couple.

Estimated average monthly Social Security retirement payment for individuals: $1,543 a month.

Maximum amount of earnings subject to Social Security taxation: $142,800 (was $137,700)

For a complete list of the 2021 Social Security figures, click here.