InsuoraHow the 2026 subsidy works
The government caps what you pay for a mid-level silver plan at a set share of your income. Here's how it works: they look at the second-cheapest silver plan in your county (the “benchmark”), figure out the most you're expected to chip in toward it based on your income, and the subsidy covers the rest. You can then put that subsidy toward any Marketplace plan — pick a cheaper one and you pay less; pick a pricier one and you pay the difference.
For 2026 the math went back to the older rules. The extra help that ran from 2021 through 2025 ended, so two things changed: there's a hard income cutoff again at 400% of the federal poverty line (earn a dollar over it and the subsidy drops to zero), and the share of income you're asked to pay went up across the board. That's why a lot of people are seeing bigger bills this year than last.
What you put in
- Your income — for the whole year, before tax. This is what your subsidy is measured against.
- Household size — sets your poverty-line figure. A bigger household means a higher line, so the same income counts as “lower.”
- Your age and who's on the plan — older people and more people on one plan cost more, so we use these to estimate the benchmark price.
- Where you live — Alaska and Hawaii use higher poverty lines than the lower 48.
- The benchmark price — the one number that really varies by county. We give you a fair estimate, but your own figure from HealthCare.gov makes the result much closer.
Questions people ask
- Is this free?
- Yes. No account, no catch, nothing to pay. It runs right here in your browser.
- Do I have to give my name or email?
- No. Just your income and a few household details — no name, address or email, and nothing leaves your browser.
- What changed for 2026?
- The bigger subsidies from 2021–2025 ended on Dec 31, 2025. For 2026 the older rules are back: the 400%-of-poverty income cap returned, and you're expected to pay a bigger share of your income. This tool uses the 2026 rules.
- What if I earn over 400% of the poverty line?
- For 2026 there's no subsidy above that line — roughly $62,600 for one person or $128,600 for a family of four. You'd pay the full premium.
- What's the “benchmark” plan?
- The second-cheapest silver plan in your county. Your subsidy is pegged to it. We estimate it from your age, but it changes a lot by location, so your real one gives a much closer answer.
- Is this a quote?
- No — it's an estimate using the 2026 formula. Your real subsidy depends on the exact plans in your county and gets settled on your tax return (Form 8962). Go to HealthCare.gov or your state Marketplace for the real number.