Prices come from the CMS 2026 QHP Landscape file — the 2nd-lowest silver plan (SLCSP) in your county for a 21-year-old, adjusted for your family's ages.
Enter your total yearly income before taxes — everyone in the household combined. For most people this is the number on Line 11 of last year's Form 1040 ("adjusted gross income"), or roughly your W-2 wages plus any other income. It is not your take-home pay.
Enter the actual age of every person on the plan — including children. Kids' ages affect the benchmark premium (teens cost more than young children), so accurate ages give a more accurate tax credit estimate.
Where you fall on the income scale
351% of poverty level
Poverty line for 1 person: $15,650/yr
Share of income you'd pay
10.0%
toward health insurance premiums
Full price of a benchmark plan
$8,066
per year, before any help
Tax credit you'd get
$2,588
about $216/month off your premium
What you'd actually pay for insurance
$5,478 / year
about $457 per month, after your tax credit
Eligible for a 2026 premium tax credit.
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Compare your scenarios — including smart suggestions built for you.
Maximize your pocket cash, lower your taxable income, and build a tax-free fund that you can rollover and use for medical expenses in the future by funding an HSA.
Insurance plan type affects your HSA contribution limit.
| Scenario | Income (after contributions) | Poverty level % | Insurance discount | You pay for insurance | Federal tax + FICA | Money in your pocket | Total value (pocket + accounts) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Do nothing | $55,000 | 351% | $2,588 | $5,478 | $8,628 | $40,895 | $40,895 |
| 2. Your choice — use the sliders below to try your own HSA and retirement plan mix | $55,000 | 351% | $2,588 | $5,478 | $8,628 | $40,895 | $40,895 |
2026 max you can contribute: $4,400 (just you plan)
Includes traditional IRA and employer-based retirement plans. 2026 max: $24,500
Two numbers to compare: Money in your pocket is liquid cash — your income minus HSA/retirement plan contributions (locked away in those accounts), minus federal income tax, minus Social Security & Medicare tax (7.65% — skipped on HSA payroll contributions, not on employer-sponsored retirement plans), minus what you pay for insurance after the discount. Total value adds your HSA and retirement plan balances back in — that money is still yours, just earmarked for healthcare and retirement. The suggested row picks the HSA-first mix that increases your tax credit and leaves the most money in your pocket; it does not max your retirement plan just to grow account value. NOTE: State income tax isn't included.
This is an educational estimator, not tax or legal advice. Actual tax credit amounts and Marketplace premiums vary by rating area, insurer, and plan year. For an exact quote and to enroll, use HealthCare.gov or your state's Marketplace.
- Plan year 2026. The ARPA/IRA enhanced premium tax credits expired at end of 2025. This calculator uses the statutory (pre-ARPA, indexed) 2.10%–9.96% schedule and enforces the 400% FPL cliff for 2026.
- Poverty guidelines: HHS 2026 Poverty Guidelines — 2025 HHS Poverty Guidelines (used for plan year 2026 eligibility). 1-person 100% FPL: $15,650 (48 states) / $19,550 (AK) / $17,990 (HI).
- 2026 applicable-percentage table: IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-25 — 2.10% below 133% FPL, sliding to 9.96% at 300%–400% FPL, no credit above 400% FPL.
- Age-rating curve: CMS HHS default federal age curve (45 CFR §147.102)
- 2026 HSA limits: IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-19 — self-only $4,400 / family $8,750 / $1,000 catch-up at age 55+
- 2026 retirement plan limits: IRS Notice 2025-67 — $24,500 elective / $8,000 catch-up (50+) / $11,250 super catch-up (60–63)
- 2026 federal income tax brackets & standard deduction: IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 (as amended by the OBBBA). Standard deduction: $16,100 single / $32,200 MFJ.
- Medicaid expansion status: KFF Status of State Medicaid Expansion Decisions
- Interactive UX inspired by the KFF Health Insurance Marketplace Calculator.