Health coverage for retirees

If you retire before age 65 without health coverage

If you retire before you’re 65 and lose your job-based health plan when you do, you can use the Health Insurance Marketplace ® to buy a plan.

Losing health coverage qualifies you for a Special Enrollment Period. This means you can enroll in a health plan even if it’s outside the annual

Open Enrollment Period

The yearly period (November 1 – January 15) when people can enroll in a Marketplace health insurance plan.

Refer to glossary for more details.

If you want to enroll because you lost your job-based coverage, see our Special Enrollment Period page for more information.

When you fill out a Marketplace application, you'll find out if you qualify for a private plan with premium tax credits and lower out-of-pocket costs. This will depend on your income and household size.

You’ll also find out if you qualify for free or low-cost coverage through the Medicaid program in your state.

If you have retiree health benefits

If you have retiree coverage and want to buy a Marketplace plan instead, you can. But:

You can’t get premium tax credits and other savings based on your income. This is true only if you’re actually enrolled in retiree coverage. If you’re eligible for but not enrolled in retiree coverage, you may qualify for premium tax credits and lower out-of-pocket costs based on your household size and income.
If you voluntarily drop your retiree coverage, you won’t qualify for a

Special Enrollment Period

A time outside the yearly Open Enrollment Period when you can sign up for health insurance. You qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you’ve had certain life events, including losing health coverage, moving, getting married, having a baby, or adopting a child, or if your household income is below a certain amount. Refer to glossary for more details.

What if I turn 65 in the middle of the year? Can I get Marketplace coverage to carry me over until I’m eligible for Medicare?

Yes. You can get a Marketplace plan to cover you before your Medicare begins. You can then cancel the Marketplace plan once your Medicare coverage starts.

Learn more if you have Marketplace coverage but will soon be eligible for Medicare.

What if I’m 65 or older but not eligible for Medicare?

You may be able to buy insurance in the Marketplace and get lower costs on monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs based in your household size and income.

What if I retire from my job and am self-employed?

If you have retiree insurance, see “If you have retiree health benefits”.
If you don’t have retiree insurance or Medicare, you have the same insurance choices and responsibilities as anyone else who’s self-employed.

What if I had job-based insurance but lost it when I retired? Do I qualify for a Special Enrollment Period?

Yes. Losing job-based coverage qualifies you for a Special Enrollment Period. This means you can enroll in a health plan outside of

Open Enrollment