Obamacare 2027: what you'll pay now that the extra subsidies are gone
The enhanced premium tax credits ended with 2025 and haven't come back. Here's how the 2027 rules work, where the subsidy cliff is, and what a silver plan costs at your income.
Updated October 23, 2026 · 6 min read · Numbers computed with our tested calculators and official sources.
Short answer
For 2027 coverage, the ACA's original subsidy rules are back. If your household income is between 100% and 400% of the poverty line, you pay a set share of your income — 2.15% to 10.22% — for the benchmark silver plan, and the premium tax credit pays the rest. Above 400% ($63,840 for one person, $132,000 for a family of four) you get no credit at all. Run your own numbers in the ACA subsidy calculator.
What changed
- 2021–2025: enhanced credits capped the benchmark plan at 8.5% of income for everyone, with no upper income limit, and made it free at the lowest incomes.
- 2026: the enhanced credits expired on December 31, 2025. The 400% limit returned and required contributions rose to 2.1%–9.96% of income.
- 2027: the IRS set the 2027 range at 2.15%–10.22% (Rev. Proc. 2026-26). As of mid-October 2026, Congress had not restored the extra credits.
What a silver plan costs at your income
The most you'd pay per month for the benchmark silver plan with the premium tax credit, 2026 vs 2027:
| Household income | % of poverty line | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | |||
| $25,000 | 157% | $97/mo | $96/mo |
| $35,000 | 219% | $218/mo | $219/mo |
| $50,000 | 313% | $415/mo | $426/mo |
| $60,000 | 376% | $498/mo | $511/mo |
| Family of four | |||
| $50,000 | 152% | $186/mo | $183/mo |
| $75,000 | 227% | $489/mo | $488/mo |
| $100,000 | 303% | $830/mo | $852/mo |
| $125,000 | 379% | $1,038/mo | $1,065/mo |
48 states and DC. This is your maximum share for the benchmark plan; if the actual premium is lower, you pay the premium. A bronze plan usually costs less, gold more. "% of poverty line" uses the 2026 guidelines, which apply to 2027 coverage; 2026 coverage used the 2025 guidelines.
Compared with 2026, the 2027 changes are small — a few dollars a month either way in these examples. The big jump came in 2026, when the extra credits ended; if you last shopped in 2025, expect to pay noticeably more than you did then.
The subsidy cliff: plan around it
Because the credit drops to zero above 400% of the poverty line, a small raise can cost thousands in premiums. Two common ways to stay under the line, if you're close:
- Contribute to a traditional 401(k) or IRA. The marketplace uses modified adjusted gross income, so pre-tax retirement contributions lower it.
- Contribute to an HSA if you pick an HSA-eligible bronze plan — those contributions reduce income too (HSA calculator).
Self-employed? Your net profit, not your gross, is what counts — see the self-employment tax calculator.
Open enrollment: the dates
- November 1, 2026 — enrollment opens on HealthCare.gov.
- December 15, 2026 — enroll by this date for coverage starting January 1.
- January 15, 2027 — last day; coverage usually starts February 1.
State-run marketplaces (California, New York, New Jersey and others) can set different deadlines. Even if you're auto-renewed, update your income estimate — with no repayment cap, an outdated estimate can mean a big bill at tax time.
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Frequently asked questions
Did the enhanced ACA subsidies end?+
Yes. The extra premium tax credits from 2021–2025 expired on December 31, 2025, and as of mid-October 2026 Congress had not restored them. For 2027 coverage the original rules apply: no credit above 400% of the poverty line, and higher required contributions below it.
What is the ACA subsidy cliff for 2027?+
400% of the 2026 poverty guidelines: $63,840 for one person, $86,560 for two and $132,000 for a family of four (48 states and DC). Earn a dollar more and the premium tax credit drops to zero.
How much will I pay for a silver plan in 2027?+
With a premium tax credit, at most 2.15% to 10.22% of your household income for the benchmark (second-lowest-cost silver) plan, depending on income. For example, about $219 a month for a single person earning $35,000. Cheaper plans can cost less; pricier ones cost more.
What if my income ends up higher than I estimated?+
You'll reconcile on your tax return. Excess advance credits must now be repaid in full — the old repayment caps are gone — so update your income with the marketplace as soon as it changes.
When is open enrollment for 2027?+
November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027 on HealthCare.gov. Enroll by December 15 for coverage starting January 1. State-run marketplaces can have different dates.