FIRE Healthcare Cost Estimator – ACA Health Insurance Premiums by Age

Before age 65 (Medicare eligibility), you must buy health insurance on the individual market — typically through the ACA marketplace. Employer plans are subsidized; individual plans are not. A family of 4 can expect $1,200-2,000/month depending on age, location, and plan tier.

If you need $15,000/year for health insurance in early retirement, your FIRE number increases by $375,000 (using the 4% rule). This is the single most overlooked expense in FIRE planning. Always include healthcare in your expense estimate.

Yes — ACA subsidies are based on Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI), not assets. Many early retirees keep their MAGI low by withdrawing from Roth accounts, selling investments with minimal gains, or using a Roth conversion ladder. You may qualify for significant subsidies even with a large net worth.