Swad Wealth Management

Health Insurance (ACA) Premium Shock Coming in 2026...

I was recently quoted in ThinkAdvisor on an issue that could dramatically increase the cost of health insurance for many Americans retiring before age 65.

The enhanced ACA premium tax credits expired at the end of 2025. This means many households could see health insurance premiums more than double in 2026. For some retirees, the difference between being just under or just over the income threshold could mean $10,000+ per year in extra costs!

This isn’t about politics — it’s about planning.

What matters most:
• Understanding the 2026 ACA “income cliff”
• Carefully managing taxable income (MAGI), not just investment returns
• Being intentional about where retirement income comes from
• Avoiding accidental income spikes from things like RMDs, capital gains, or Roth conversions

Health insurance is one of the largest and most underestimated expenses for early retirees. Waiting until open enrollment is often too late.

If you’re planning to retire before Medicare this is worth a proactive conversation.

Happy to share the article or talk through how this applies to your situation.