October 27, 2025

🚨No Subsidies in 2026? Plan A vs Plan B (DO THIS)

9 minutes

2026 health insurance: If Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies end, Plan A vs Plan B. Open Enrollment Nov 1; enroll by Dec 15 for Jan 1. MAGI targets, 400% FPL, on-exchange vs off-exchange.

In this video,“No Subsidies in 2026? Plan A vs Plan B (Do This)”— I provide two pathways so you’re ready to enroll by Dec 15 for a Jan 1 health insurance start, and why I’m building both plans now given the uncertainty around enhanced ACA subsidies.

Plan A (assume no enhanced subsidies):

A1: On-exchange, ACA-compliant coverage even without credits (keeps ACA protections).

A2: Off-exchange, ACA-compliant quotes (compare carefully; note that off-exchange doesn’t receive credits if they return mid-year).

A3: “Alternatives” with caution (e.g., short-term, cost-sharing, memberships/DPC): understand pre-existing condition limits, exclusions, and red flags. Only as a time-boxed fallback.

Plan B (if enhanced subsidies continue):

Manage MAGI like a pro: right-size year-end Roth conversions, time capital gains, and use taxable brokerage for spending to avoid accidental income spikes.

If working: lean on pre-tax payroll options and an HSA (with an eligible HDHP) to help control MAGI.

If retired: be deliberate with pre-tax withdrawals—they raise MAGI and can shrink credits, also contribute to an HSA.

📊Free resources mentioned in this episode:

🔗 Free MAGI Calculator Template (Microsoft Excel download). Use it to estimate your MAGI for ACA plans.

To get this free download, go to my Patreon, click Join for Free, then click on the Tools collection, and you can download any of them from there. Here is the link to my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/earlyretirementroadmap

🔗ACA Cost Estimator

🔗2025 Federal Poverty Level Guidelines

🔗Goto healthcare.gov or your state exchange to enroll in a 2026 ACA plan - open enrollment begins Nov 1.

🎧Listen to these podcasts of mine next for more info on the topics covered in this episode:

ACA MAGI: How to Calculate & Manage It for Big Savings!

Will ACA Subsidies Disappear After 2025? What You NEED to Know!

The $12,900 Health Insurance Loophole for Early Retirees!

Health Insurance Options for Early Retirement: What You NEED to Know

How a Mutual Index Fund Cost Me $17K in Taxes (And How to Avoid This Mistake)

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By Mike Upland

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