When you retire early, one of the first things that can become a challenge is health insurance. Medicare starts at age 65, but the years before that can leave a gap.

If you live in Georgia, the time to fill that gap is coming soon. The open enrollment for the 2027 plans in Georgia Access, the state's own marketplace, begins on November 1.

The deadline is set for January 15, 2027. However, to receive coverage starting January 1, you must complete your enrollment in December, so be sure to check the exact cutoff date at georgiaaccess.gov.

This year, there is reportedly no window shopping period to preview plans. You will see prices for the first time when it opens on November 1.

And those prices are a bit steep. According to AJC reports, the rate increases for Georgia Access insurers in 2027 range from 11% to 29% depending on the company.

The lineup of insurers is also changing. UnitedHealthcare will exit Georgia Access as of January 1, 2027, and Cigna will not sell marketplace plans in 2027.

If you are currently enrolled in plans from these two companies, you cannot just sit back. Don't expect automatic renewal; you need to actively choose a new insurer during this period.

The significant reason for the price increase is changes to federal subsidies. The enhanced premium tax credit that was expanded during the pandemic will end by the end of 2025.

This means the previous income limits, known as the subsidy cliff, are back. If your income exceeds 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL) by even one dollar, your subsidy will drop to zero.

For 2027, the 400% threshold for a single-person household is $63,840. This number can greatly affect retirees' insurance premiums.

However, there is one advantage for retirees. Since there is no salary, you can somewhat control your taxable income.

The marketplace considers your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI). Money withdrawn from traditional IRAs or 401(k)s counts, but funds from already taxed regular savings or Roth accounts typically do not.

So, which account you withdraw from for next year's living expenses will soon become a premium issue. I would calculate this withdrawal order before enrolling.

There are also points to be cautious about. Starting from the 2026 tax year, if the advance premium tax credit (APTC) you received exceeds your actual income at year-end, there is no limit on the repayment of the excess.

This means if you report a low expected income to receive subsidies and then withdraw a large sum during the year, you could end up having to repay the entire amount you received when filing taxes. Honestly, that's quite scary.

There are other options besides the marketplace. Continuing your existing employer insurance through COBRA when leaving a job is a common method.

COBRA typically lasts for a maximum of 18 months, and you can pay up to 102% of the original plan cost. Many people are surprised when they see the first bill since they have to cover the portion that the employer used to pay.

On the plus side, you can continue seeing the same doctors and keep the deductible you've already met for that year. If you are in the middle of treatment, this difference can be significant.

If you lose your employer insurance, you can enroll in the marketplace through a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) within 60 days, even if it's not open enrollment. Keep this window in mind if your resignation timing is uncertain.

If your spouse is still working, enrolling as a family member in your spouse's employer insurance is often the simplest option. Comparing premiums should be your first step.

It's also important to plan ahead. The initial enrollment period for Medicare is the seven months surrounding the month you turn 65.

Once Medicare starts, you must manually cancel your marketplace plan. It won't automatically terminate, which can lead to having to pay both premiums for a while.

To summarize, here's the order of steps. First, estimate your MAGI for next year.

Next, compare the COBRA bill and Georgia Access quotes side by side under the same conditions. Finally, check if your current hospital is in the new plan's network.

Subsidy calculations and withdrawal strategies can vary greatly depending on taxes, asset composition, and health status. Since it differs by individual circumstances, be sure to consult a certified navigator or tax professional before enrolling.

Georgia Access has free navigators and certified brokers available for consultation. It's much quicker to ask for help than to struggle alone with Excel.

While discussions about extending subsidies continue in Congress, there is currently nothing confirmed for 2027. Personally, I do not recommend delaying decisions while waiting for potential relief measures.

If I were in this situation, I would start getting quotes right away in the first week of November. Seeing the numbers early gives you time to adjust your withdrawal plans.