Estimate your 2026 marketplace premium tax credit from your income, household and ages — then see what you'd actually pay on a Bronze, Silver or Gold plan after the subsidy (Bronze is often near $0/mo). Plus cost-sharing detail, a subsidy-cliff planner and a Medicare overview. Everything runs in your browser; nothing is sent anywhere.
Real premiums depend on your ZIP code and the specific plans offered. Compare actual marketplace plans and prices:
Compare health plans & quotes → Sponsored placeholderThe premium tax credit (PTC) caps what you pay for a benchmark "silver" plan at a set percentage of your income. You estimate your household's income as a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) — using the 2025 poverty guidelines that apply to 2026 coverage; the law sets an applicable percentage (2.10% up to 9.96% for 2026, per IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-25) you're expected to contribute; the subsidy covers the rest of the benchmark premium. In 2026 the enhanced pandemic-era subsidies have expired, so the 400% FPL cliff is back — above 400% FPL you generally get no credit and pay full price.
Your credit is a fixed dollar amount set by the benchmark silver plan — but you can spend it on any plan. Apply it to a cheaper Bronze plan and your net premium often drops toward $0/month; apply it to Gold for richer coverage at a modest extra cost. This calculator shows your estimated net premium on Bronze, Silver and Gold side by side so you can see the trade-off, exactly the way HealthCare.gov and the KFF calculator present it.
A 2-person household (ages 45 and 42) earning $48,000 is at ~227% of FPL. Their applicable percentage interpolates to ~7.59%, so their required annual contribution is $48,000 × 7.59% ≈ $3,644, or ~$304/month. Against an estimated $941/month benchmark plan for the couple, the credit is $941 − $304 = ~$638/month (~$7,650/year). That same $638 makes a Bronze plan ≈ $115/mo or a Gold plan ≈ $445/mo. This calculator runs exactly that math for your numbers and ages.
Households between 100% and 250% of FPL who choose a silver plan also get cost-sharing reductions — a silver plan quietly upgraded to a higher actuarial value (about 94% up to 150% FPL, 87% to 200%, 73% to 250%) with lower deductibles, copays and out-of-pocket maximums. The estimator flags which CSR tier you'd land in. For more money tools, see our budget planner, life-insurance coverage calculator and student-loan estimator, or browse the AppVitamins store.
Generally households between 100% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level who aren't offered affordable employer coverage. Below 100% FPL you may qualify for Medicaid (in expansion states, up to 138%); above 400% the credit phases out under reinstated 2026 rules.
Yes. The premium tax credit is a fixed dollar amount based on the benchmark silver plan, but you can apply it to any metal tier. On a cheaper Bronze plan your net premium often falls near $0; on Gold you pay a bit more for lower deductibles. This tool shows all three.
Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) for your tax household — roughly your expected annual income for the coverage year, including a spouse and tax dependents.
With enhanced subsidies expired in 2026, earning even $1 over 400% of FPL can mean losing the entire credit. Pre-tax contributions (HSA, IRA, 401(k)) lower your MAGI, which can pull you back under the line and restore thousands in subsidy. The Pro cliff planner models this.
Extra savings on deductibles and out-of-pocket costs for people from 100–250% of FPL who pick a silver plan. The silver plan is upgraded to roughly 94/87/73% actuarial value depending on income.
No — it's an estimate using national-average benchmark premiums and the federal default age curve. Your real subsidy depends on local plan prices. Use the quote link for actual numbers.
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