Health
Rules where a small change in income moves what health coverage costs by a large amount — subsidy cliffs, Medicare surcharges, and the thresholds behind them.
Tools
2- ACA subsidy cliff calculatorWork out your 2027 ACA premium tax credit and how far your income is from the 400% poverty-line cliff that returned when the enhanced subsidies expired.
- Medicare IRMAA calculatorWork out your 2026 Medicare Part B and Part D income-related surcharge from your 2024 MAGI, and see how far your income is from the next IRMAA bracket.
Guides
3- What Actually Lowers MAGI for the ACA Subsidy CliffThe cliff is measured against modified adjusted gross income, and only some things move that number. Here is what counts and what doesn't.
- Form SSA-44 — Getting an IRMAA Surcharge ReducedIf your income fell for one of seven specific reasons, Social Security will use a newer year than the one on file. Retiring counts. A smaller portfolio doesn't.
- The Benchmark Silver Plan, and Why Your Credit Depends on ItYour subsidy is calculated against one specific plan you may never buy. Here is what it is and how to find yours.