Are you considering early retirement but worried about health coverage? You’re not alone. Many people who aren’t quite ready for Medicare still need quality health insurance they can afford.

That’s where the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace comes in, providing  health insurance for early retirees and others under 65. 

Whether you’re looking for coverage for yourself or helping a family member, this Affordable Care Act guide makes ACA enrollment simple. Here are the essential steps to get enrolled, plus information on the big changes coming to ACA coverage costs in 2026 

What is the ACA Health Insurance Marketplace?

The ACA Marketplace gives you a simple way to shop for health coverage as an early retiree under 65. Created under the Affordable Care Act, this online platform puts quality health insurance plans from private companies at your fingertips, allowing you to:

• Compare health plans side by side
• Find coverage that fits your budget
• Apply for financial help to lower your costs
• Get enrolled in a quality health plan

ACA plans include coverage for the essentials, like doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, and preventive care. Worried about a pre-existing condition? These plans can’t turn you down. Additionally, many people are eligible for financial assistance to reduce their monthly costs. 

• Premium tax credits that lower your monthly payments based on your household income
• Cost-sharing reductions on Silver plans if your income is up to 250% of the Federal Poverty Level, reducing out-of-pocket costs like deductibles
• Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRA) if offered by an employer, using pre-tax dollars toward premiums
• Medicaid coverage for those with very low income, providing care with little to no premium cost

Note: These enhanced premium tax credits expire December 31, 2025, so planning ahead for 2026 is crucial.

Key ACA enrollment period dates for 2026

As an early retiree, health coverage shouldn’t keep you up at night. The ACA makes getting insured straightforward — you just need to know the right dates. With big changes coming to plans in 2026, now’s the perfect time to get familiar with enrollment season.

If you miss Open Enrollment or need to adjust, you may have additional ACA enrollment periods The ACA opens special enrollment windows for things like:

• Losing other health coverage
• Moving to a new area
• Getting married
• Having or adopting a child
• Income changes that affect coverage

Each of these changes gives you 60 days to pick a new plan.

Understanding your 2026 ACA costs

The ACA’s financial help system changes dramatically in 2026. The enhanced premium tax credits, which have made coverage more affordable since 2021, end on December 31, 2025. For many people, this means premiums could increase by about 75%.

Already enrolled in an ACA plan? These changes affect you too. If you currently pay nothing for coverage, expect at least a $5 monthly premium in 2026. The biggest impact hits middle and higher-income households, especially those just above the federal poverty level. Without the 8.5% income cap protection, some families could see their premiums jump by thousands each year.

Your 2025 subsidies remain steady through December, giving you time to prepare. Local costs vary based on your state, household size, and income. The good news? Financial help isn’t disappearing entirely — it’s just changing. Understanding these shifts now helps you pick the right plan during Open Enrollment. For more detailed information about these upcoming changes, visit the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website.

Easy steps to ACA enrollment for early retirees

Getting health insurance under 65 doesn’t have to be complicated. The Healthcare Marketplace connects you with individual and family plans that can fit your needs before Medicare eligibility kicks in.

Start your enrollment by gathering:

• Income information for your household
• Social Security numbers for family members
• Current insurance details (if any)
• Preferred doctors and prescriptions

The Healthcare Marketplace offers several plan levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Each covers the same essential benefits but with different costs. Bronze plans typically have lower monthly premiums but higher out-of-pocket costs when you need care. Gold and Platinum plans cost more monthly but cover more of your medical expenses.

Enrolling in health insurance as an early retiree can be confusing, but we’re here to help. At SmartMatch, our licensed insurance agents specialize in early retiree coverage and individual health plans. Get in touch with our team, and we’ll walk you through your choices, explain costs and benefits, and help you find a plan that fits — all at no cost to you.