Rental or business property lost: IRMAA and income property
By Elder PaperworkUpdated
Short answer
Losing income-producing property can be a life-changing event, if the loss was beyond your control.
Examples: a natural disaster, arson, eminent domain or theft. A sale or a gift doesn’t count.
Proof can be an insurance adjuster’s statement or a government letter.
Sources: POMS HI 01120.035; Form SSA-44 (12-2025). Read November 4, 2026.
Key facts
What counts as income-producing property?
Property that brings in income. For example rental or farm real estate, crops, livestock or business vehicles.
A vacation home not reported as income doesn’t count.
Which losses qualify?
- Natural disasters
- Disease of crops or livestock
- Arson or theft, including fraud
- A government eminent domain buyout
Normal investment risk you accepted when you bought does not count.
What proof do I need?
- An insurance adjuster’s statement of loss
- A letter from a state or federal government about the uncompensated loss
- For investment fraud: proof of conviction
See what you could save, before you pay.
Check my savingsHow do I ask?
Social Security lists these ways to send Form SSA-44 with your evidence:
- Online, after you sign in to your account
- By phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778)
- By fax or mail to a Social Security office
You can do this yourself, for free.
Box by box: how to fill out Form SSA-44.
Questions
Does selling a rental count?
No. A voluntary sale doesn’t qualify.
Does a stock market loss count?
No. Normal investment risk is treated as your own choice.
What about investment fraud?
It can count, but proof of conviction is required.