2026 plan year · the enhanced subsidies expired at the end of 2025, so the 400% cliff is back
The ACA caps what your household pays for a benchmark silver plan at a set percentage of your income. That cap comes only from your income and household size, so it can be worked out exactly. Enter your numbers and see yours.
The ACA caps what a household pays for the benchmark silver plan at a set percentage of income. That percentage depends only on income and household size — which is why ZIP and age aren't needed to find what they should pay.
| Income (% of FPL) | They pay |
|---|---|
| Under 133% | 2.10% |
| 133 – 150% | 3.14 – 4.19% |
| 150 – 200% | 4.19 – 6.60% |
| 200 – 250% | 6.60 – 8.44% |
| 250 – 300% | 8.44 – 9.96% |
| 300 – 400% | 9.96% |
| Over 400% | Full price — no credit |
2026 rates from IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-25. Poverty levels are the 2025 HHS guidelines, which are the ones that apply to 2026 coverage.
It assumes your current plan is roughly equivalent to the benchmark silver plan in your area. If they're on a gold or platinum plan, real savings will be smaller than shown. On a bronze plan, larger.
ZIP is used only to pick the right poverty guideline (Alaska and Hawaii are higher). It does not pull the actual benchmark premium for your county — that requires a live quote.
Use this to spot opportunities and size them. Confirm the real number on healthcare.gov or your quoting platform before you put it in front of a client.
Estimate only — not tax or legal advice.
Sources: IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-25 · HHS 2025 Poverty Guidelines
This works out the maximum percentage of your income the law says you can be charged for a benchmark silver plan. That figure is exact, because it depends only on your income and household size.
Your actual premium tax credit is the benchmark silver premium in your county minus that capped amount. Benchmark premiums vary by county and by the ages of everyone enrolling, so this tool cannot tell you your exact credit and does not try to. Treat any comparison against what you pay today as an indication rather than a quote.
Your real eligibility and credit are determined by the Marketplace when you apply. If you want the exact number for your county and household, ask me and I will run it. It costs you nothing.
I am a licensed independent broker. I will run the real benchmark for your county and compare every plan you qualify for, at no cost to you.
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