ACA Subsidy Cliff Calculator
ACA Subsidy Cliff Calculator
One extra dollar of income can cost thousands in 2026
% of Federal Poverty Level
0%
the number the whole cliff depends on
Your estimated annual premium
0
after any subsidy, before the cliff or after it
Subsidy at risk if you cross 400%
0
one extra dollar of MAGI can cost this much
The cliff, explained
Below 400% of FPL, your premium is capped at a rising percentage of income (roughly 2%–8.5% depending on income tier) and the government covers the rest. At 400%+, that cap disappears entirely — you pay full price with zero subsidy.
2026 specifically
The temporary enhanced-subsidy rules (no hard cliff, capped at 8.5% at any income) expired at the end of 2025 — the original hard 400% cliff is back for 2026 coverage, catching early retirees and the self-employed off guard.
Federal Poverty Level figures used here are approximate 2025-guideline figures (used to determine 2026 subsidy eligibility): roughly $15,650 for a household of 1 in the contiguous US, plus about $5,500 per additional household member — Alaska and Hawaii use higher figures, not modeled here. The subsidy calculation uses a simplified applicable-percentage curve; your actual subsidy depends on your specific state's benchmark plan and the exact IRS Applicable Percentage Table for the year, which you should confirm on healthcare.gov or your state exchange. This is a planning estimate, not an eligibility determination.
Frequently asked questions
What's a reasonable percentage of income to save each month?
A commonly cited target is 20% of take-home income toward savings and investments, though the right number depends heavily on your expenses, debt, and goals. Starting with any consistent amount and increasing it over time matters more than hitting a specific percentage from day one.
How do I build a budget that actually sticks?
Budgets that fail are usually too restrictive to sustain. Tracking actual spending for a month before setting targets, building in a discretionary/fun category rather than eliminating it entirely, and automating savings so it happens before you can spend it all tend to work better than a rigid, all-or-nothing budget.
What's the 50/30/20 rule?
A simple budgeting guideline: roughly 50% of take-home income to needs (rent, utilities, groceries), 30% to wants (dining out, entertainment), and 20% to savings and debt repayment beyond the minimum. It's a starting framework, not a strict rule -- adjust the splits to your actual cost of living.
How much should I keep as an emergency fund?
A common guideline is 3-6 months of essential expenses, held somewhere liquid and low-risk rather than invested for growth. Build it before aggressively investing elsewhere -- it's what keeps a job loss or medical bill from forcing you to sell investments at a bad time.
Estimates only, not financial advice. See our Disclaimer.