ACA Bridge Before Medicare
See where your income lands against the 2026 ACA subsidy cliff before age 65. Educational only.
Calculator result
Over the 400% cliff — $0 premium tax credit under 2026 lawPre-Medicare bridge
5 years
Your income vs. poverty level
415% of FPL
400% cliff for your household
$62,600
Full benchmark premium (no credit)
$15,914/yr
Over the cliff by
$2,400
Current 2026 law
Current law: no premium tax credit at all. You pay the full benchmark silver premium — about $15,914 for you at age 60.
If enhanced credits returned
Restored-enhanced-credit scenario: the benchmark silver reference cost would be about $5,525, a $10,389 difference from current law.
2026 subsidy-cliff scenario map
Volatile law—verify againEach point holds household size, ages, and the benchmark premium constant. Only projected MAGI moves.
| Position | Projected MAGI | FPL | Annual benchmark cost | Credit status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000 under | $52,600 | 336.1% | $5,239 | Premium tax credit applies |
| $1 under | $62,599 | 400.0% | $6,235 | Premium tax credit applies |
| $1 over | $62,601 | 400.0% | $15,914 | No premium tax credit |
| $10,000 over | $72,600 | 463.9% | $15,914 | No premium tax credit |
This is a threshold illustration, not a recommendation to suppress income. MAGI choices can affect income tax, cash flow, Medicare, and long-term account balances.
Falling one dollar over 400% of poverty means no premium tax credit under current 2026 law. The practical lever is MAGI timing, not asset allocation.
Verified 2026-07-11. Legislation is live: an extension of the enhanced credits was moving in Congress and could change this, possibly retroactively. Do not do anything drastic to duck the cliff on the strength of this tool alone — and do not assume rescue either. Premiums start from the national-average benchmark silver plan for a 60-year-old ($15,914; $11,625 for the cheapest bronze) and are rescaled to your age with the federal standard age curve (45 CFR 147.102), then summed per adult. KFF reference: a 60-year-old at $65,000 pays $10,389 more a year now the enhanced credits have expired. These are national averages, not quotes — actual premiums vary a lot by county, and the poverty guidelines here are for the 48 contiguous states (Alaska and Hawaii are higher). Get a real number from HealthCare.gov. Educational estimate only.
Numbers behind this result
Open the exact public record for the legal figure or modeling convention used above.
Sources and notes
- What we know so far about 2026 ACA Marketplace enrollment and premiumsKFF
- HHS Poverty GuidelinesU.S. Department of Health and Human Services
These tools use simplified assumptions. Use them to frame better questions, then verify details against primary sources or a qualified professional.