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.
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
Government help you'd get
$2,588
about $216/month off your premium
What you'd actually pay: $5,478 per year ($457 / month)
Eligible for a 2026 premium tax credit.
Money you put into an HSA (a special savings account for medical expenses, if you have a high-deductible health plan) or a traditional 401(k) doesn't count as income for taxes — or for ACA subsidies. Contributing more can qualify you for a bigger insurance discount and a lower tax bill. Drag the sliders below to try it, or use the "Suggested" row.
2026 max you can contribute: $4,400 (just you plan)
Includes traditional 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), the federal TSP, or a SIMPLE IRA. 2026 max: $24,500
| Scenario | Income (after contributions) | Poverty level % | Insurance discount | You pay for insurance | Federal tax + FICA | Money in your pocket |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Do nothing | $55,000 | 351% | $2,588 | $5,478 | $8,628 | $40,895 |
| Your choice (from the sliders above) | $55,000 | 351% | $2,588 | $5,478 | $8,628 | $40,895 |
| Suggested (maximizes take-home): put $0 in HSA | $55,000 | 351% | $2,588 | $5,478 | $8,628 | $40,895 |
How "money in your pocket" is calculated: your income, minus what you put into the HSA and 401(k), minus federal income tax, minus Social Security & Medicare tax (7.65% — you skip this on HSA contributions made through payroll, but not on 401(k) contributions), minus what you actually pay for insurance after the discount. State income tax isn't included.
This is an educational estimator, not tax or legal advice. Actual subsidy 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 401(k) 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.