ACA Health Insurance Subsidy Calculator
Estimate your premium tax credit for ACA marketplace health insurance.
Subsidy Breakdown
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Subsidy by Income Level
Estimated subsidies at key FPL thresholds for your household size and age.
| FPL % | Income | Contribution | Monthly Subsidy |
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This tool is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional financial, medical, legal, or engineering advice. See Terms of Service.
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Request a ToolHow to Use the ACA Subsidy Calculator
This calculator estimates the premium tax credit (subsidy) you may receive for a marketplace health insurance plan under the Affordable Care Act. Here is how to use it:
- Select your region. Alaska and Hawaii have different FPL guidelines, which affect subsidy calculations.
- Enter your household size. Include yourself, your spouse (if filing jointly), and all tax dependents, even if not all are enrolling in marketplace coverage.
- Enter your annual household income. The ACA uses Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI). For most people, this is close to your total income before taxes.
- Enter the primary enrollee's age. Premiums increase with age (up to a 3:1 ratio). The calculator uses national average benchmark premiums.
- Enter number of enrollees. How many household members will enroll in marketplace coverage. This scales the benchmark premium estimate.
About ACA Premium Tax Credits
The Affordable Care Act provides premium tax credits to help people with incomes between 100% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level afford marketplace health insurance. The subsidy is calculated as the difference between the cost of the benchmark plan (second-lowest-cost Silver plan in your area) and your expected contribution based on income.
With the expiration of enhanced subsidies at the end of 2025, the "subsidy cliff" at 400% FPL has returned. This means that individuals earning just above 400% FPL ($64,780 for a single person in 2026) receive no subsidy at all, while those just below may receive substantial assistance. Below 100% FPL, individuals may qualify for Medicaid in expansion states.
Why This Matters
Approximately 27 million Americans lack health insurance, and that number has increased after ACA enhanced subsidies (from the American Rescue Plan and Inflation Reduction Act) expired at the end of 2025. The return of the subsidy cliff at 400% FPL means that many moderate-income individuals and families face significantly higher costs for marketplace coverage. Understanding your estimated subsidy helps you budget for healthcare costs and decide between marketplace plans, employer coverage, or other options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ACA subsidy cliff?
The subsidy cliff refers to the sharp cutoff at 400% of the Federal Poverty Level. If your income is at or below 400% FPL, you receive a premium tax credit that limits your health insurance costs to a percentage of your income. If your income exceeds 400% FPL by even $1, you receive zero subsidy and must pay the full premium. For 2026, the cliff is at $64,780 for an individual and $129,560 for a family of 4.
How is the ACA subsidy calculated?
The subsidy equals the benchmark premium (second-lowest-cost Silver plan in your area) minus your expected contribution. Your expected contribution is a percentage of your income based on where you fall on the FPL scale. At 100% FPL, you contribute about 2% of income. At 400% FPL, you contribute about 9.83%. The subsidy covers the difference between this amount and the benchmark premium.
What if my income is below 100% FPL?
If your income is below 100% FPL, you are not eligible for marketplace premium tax credits. In states that expanded Medicaid, you would likely qualify for Medicaid coverage (up to 138% FPL). In non-expansion states, there is a "coverage gap" where your income is too low for marketplace subsidies but too high for your state's Medicaid program.
When is ACA open enrollment?
The annual open enrollment period for ACA marketplace plans runs from November 1 to January 15. Outside of open enrollment, you can only enroll if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period due to a life event (loss of coverage, marriage, birth, moving). Visit Healthcare.gov to check available plans and actual subsidy amounts for your area.