Enrollment
Health Coverage for Early Retirees
Bridging the gap from employer coverage to Medicare before age 65.
The bridge years
Retiring before Medicare eligibility means piecing together Marketplace plans, a spouse's employer plan, COBRA, or less often retiree benefits.
Subsidy estimates based on retirement income surprise many people — lower modified AGI can mean richer premium tax credits.
Plan design tips
Model a few years of premiums and out-of-pocket maximums. Consider an HDHP + HSA while you can still contribute if that fits your care pattern.
Keep records for the Medicare transition so Part B timing stays clean when you hit 65.
Next step
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Questions
Frequently asked questions
Can I use COBRA until Medicare?
COBRA is time-limited and often expensive; compare it with Marketplace subsidies before defaulting to it.
Does retiring count as a qualifying event?
Losing employer coverage when you retire generally opens Special Enrollment — confirm your specific situation.
Sources
- HealthCare.gov — the official ACA Health Insurance Marketplace · reviewed 2026-01-15
- KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation) — health policy research · reviewed 2026-01-15
- OLYRON HealthMatch editorial methodology — how we source and rate options · reviewed 2026-01-15