Coverage to 65
Keep coverage affordable while you live from savings.
Compare COBRA, Marketplace and other coverage options—and see how the way you fund retirement can change what health insurance costs.
Who this is for: My employer coverage is ending, Medicare is still years away, and every replacement option has a different cost/tradeoff.
If you leave work before 65, you may need to replace employer health insurance years before Medicare begins.
You may be able to choose COBRA, a Marketplace plan, coverage through a spouse, or retiree health insurance. But comparing those options isn’t as simple as finding the lowest monthly premium.
You also need to know what the plan will cost when you actually use it, and whether your doctors and prescriptions are covered. And you need to know how much you could owe if you have a major medical expense.
And there’s another complication if you’re living from savings.
Marketplace premiums can depend on your household income. That means the money you use for living expenses can sometimes change how much you pay for health insurance. For example, a taxable withdrawal from a traditional IRA or 401(k) can raise the income used to calculate your Marketplace assistance.
So you’re really solving two problems at the same time:
- How do I stay insured until Medicare?
- And how do I pay for those years without making my health coverage more expensive than it needs to be?
Start with the coverage decision in front of you
These guides help you compare your options, understand what coverage may really cost, and plan how it fits with the money you’re living on.
COBRA or the Marketplace? How to Choose After Your Job Ends Compare the real cost, doctors, deductibles, subsidies, and timing rules before deciding which coverage should carry you toward Medicare.
A 401(k) Withdrawal Could Make Your Health Insurance More Expensive See how IRA and 401(k) withdrawals can affect Marketplace income — and why the account you use for spending can change what you pay for coverage.
The Year Your Paycheck Stops Is the Hardest ACA Income Year to Estimate Salary, severance, spouse income, retirement withdrawals, and investment gains can all land in the same calendar year. Here’s what the Marketplace actually counts.
Your Job Ended. How Long Do You Have to Replace Your Health Insurance? Understand the enrollment windows after losing employer coverage and the deadlines that can leave you without the option you expected.
The ACA Subsidy Cliff Is Back: What Early Retirees Need to Watch in 2026 See why crossing an income threshold can suddenly make coverage much more expensive — and which financial decisions can push income higher.
Can You Start With COBRA and Switch to the Marketplace Later? Sometimes. But the timing matters. Learn when dropping COBRA gives you access to Marketplace coverage — and when it may not.
Turning 65: How to Move From COBRA or Marketplace Coverage to Medicare Know when to start the Medicare transition so one form of coverage ends when the next one is ready.
The goal is to reach Medicare with continuous coverage you can afford—without healthcare taking more from your retirement savings than necessary.
Not sure where to start?
Answer a few short questions and we’ll help you see which decisions deserve attention first.
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