Calculator
How to Use This Calculator
- Select income and premium periods (annual or monthly).
- Enter household size, region, and coverage months.
- Add income adjustments to model realistic budgeting scenarios.
- Enter benchmark and chosen plan premiums for comparisons.
- Optionally set APTC used to apply less credit.
- Press Calculate to view results and graphs.
Formula Used
- Annualized income = monthly × 12 (if monthly selected)
- Income as % of FPL = (Adjusted income ÷ Poverty guideline) × 100
- Applicable % is selected by the income-to-FPL bracket, interpolated within brackets
- Expected contribution = (Income × Applicable %) for selected months
- Max estimated subsidy = max(0, Benchmark − Expected contribution)
- Net plan cost = max(0, Plan − APTC used)
Example Data Table
| Household size | Income (annual) | Benchmark premium (annual) | Plan premium (annual) | Coverage months | APTC used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $45,000 | $7,200 | $6,000 | 12 | Auto |
| 3 | $62,000 | $14,400 | $12,600 | 12 | $3,000 |
| 4 | $38,000 | $16,800 | $15,000 | 10 | Auto |
Subsidy planning for household budgets
This calculator estimates a marketplace-style premium subsidy by comparing your benchmark premium with an expected household contribution. It is designed for financial planning, allowing you to translate income and household size into an estimated assistance amount and a net plan cost. Results are prorated for partial-year coverage to match real enrollment timelines.
Inputs that drive the estimate
Key inputs include household size, region, adjusted income, and two premiums: the benchmark premium and your chosen plan premium. The tool annualizes monthly entries for consistency, then prorates to the selected coverage months. Optional income adjustments help model predictable changes such as reduced work hours or temporary earnings.
How the percentage curve is applied
Income is converted to a percentage of the poverty guideline. An “applicable percentage” is then selected from published brackets, with linear interpolation within each bracket. Expected contribution equals income multiplied by that percentage. The maximum estimated subsidy is the positive difference between the benchmark cost and expected contribution.
Reading results and graphs
The results panel shows eligibility signals, income as a percent of the guideline, expected contribution, and maximum estimated subsidy. Graphs visualize plan costs, applied credits, and the sensitivity of the subsidy to a ±20% income range. The applicable-percentage plot highlights your current point on the curve for quick validation.
Practical scenario checks
Use “APTC used” to apply less than the maximum credit and see how net premiums change. Manual overrides are provided for advanced reconciliation workflows when you already have published values. Export buttons generate CSV and PDF summaries suitable for budgeting files, discussions, and plan comparisons. These exports help document scenarios for future decision reviews.
FAQs
1) What does “benchmark premium” mean here?
It is the reference premium used to cap your expected contribution. The calculator compares this benchmark cost to your expected contribution to estimate the maximum subsidy for the selected months.
2) Why does my subsidy become zero with an employer offer?
This tool assumes an affordable employer offer blocks marketplace premium subsidies. If that flag is set to “Yes,” the calculator returns a zero subsidy to reflect that simplified rule.
3) Can I enter monthly values instead of annual?
Yes. Choose “Monthly” for income and premiums, and the calculator annualizes them automatically. Results are then prorated by coverage months for the final estimate.
4) What is “APTC used” and why would it be lower?
APTC used is the portion of the estimated credit you apply up front. Some people apply less to reduce repayment risk at tax filing. The tool shows unused subsidy and updated net cost.
5) What do the sensitivity points represent?
They show how the maximum estimated subsidy changes if your adjusted annual income rises or falls by up to 20%. It helps you see whether small income changes materially affect support.
6) Are these results an official eligibility determination?
No. This is an educational budgeting estimate. Official determinations can include additional rules, verification steps, and program variations. Use the manual fields if you need to align with other published inputs.
Data Notes
- Uses 2026 applicable percentage brackets (IRS revenue procedure).
- Uses 2025 poverty guideline values to estimate FPL by household size.
- Manual override fields help match other published inputs.