5 Health Insurance Mistakes That Could Bankrupt You in Early Retirement

Описание: Five health insurance mistakes that can cost early retirees tens of thousands of dollars — and how to avoid every one of them.

If you're planning to retire before 65, the gap between employer coverage and Medicare is the most expensive and least understood phase of your financial life. The system is full of hidden tripwires — subsidy cliffs, income lookbacks, and tax strategies that can backfire — and almost nobody connects the dots until it's too late.

Numbers Referenced:
COBRA average cost: $600–$800/month individual / $1,500–$2,000+ family
ACA subsidy cliff (400% FPL): $62,600 single / $84,600 couple / $128,600 family of four
Medicare Part B standard premium: $202.90/month
IRMAA surcharges begin at: $109,000 single / $218,000 joint
IRMAA Part B premiums: $284.10–$689.90/month
IRMAA Part D surcharges: $14.50–$91.00/month
IRMAA based on 2024 MAGI (two-year lookback)
IRMAA appeal form: SSA-44

⚠️ ACA enhanced subsidies expired at the end of 2025. The subsidy cliff at 400% FPL is back in effect for 2026 unless Congress acts. Verify current rules before making financial decisions.

📅 Video filmed: March 2, 2026

⚖️ Disclaimer: I am a retired attorney, not a financial advisor, tax professional, or insurance broker. This content is educational and should not be taken as personalized financial, tax, or healthcare advice. Thresholds, brackets, and rules change annually. Always consult qualified professionals for your specific situation.
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I'm Elle — retired attorney, former art gallery owner, and residential and commercial real estate investor. After 32 years in legal practice and two retirements (one I got wrong, one I designed), I now help people in their 40s–60s design retirements built on three pillars: Prosperity, Purpose, and Play.

🗓️ Book a Retirement Design Consultation: https://www.designingretirement.com/r...

CHAPTERS:
0:00 – These mistakes catch smart people
0:45 – Mistake #1:
3:00 – Mistake #2:
5:30 – Mistake #3:
8:00 – Mistake #4:
10:30 – Mistake #5:
13:15 – What designing retirement really looks like

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