Covered California's new calculator

[SHRED]

Here's what I put in. This will be an approximate retirement income for us.
The ACA is allowing me to retire and get out of the way for younger workers!


Number in Household: 2
Household Income: $45,000
Region: 19

Age: 57 and 54

Enhanced Silver 70 Plans vary from $231 to $473 per month (my cost).

More:
http://www.coveredca.com/fieldcalc/

Here's a good site for Q&A:
http://www.cahba.com/advice/



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[hedgehog]

1. That would be something to bring to GD -

that you're considering retiring. I think this is one of the unforeseen benefits of Obamacare - that people will be able to retire. The other one is that a lot of people will be able to start that small business they always dreamed of!

[SHRED]

2. Another "hidden" benefit

Employers won't be able to entice or keep employees based on the health coverage. They may actually have to pay a decent pay scale instead.

[NYC_SKP]

4. Also, people won't stay with abusive shit jobs and bosses just to keep the benefits.

Something that's always fried my ass.

[SHRED]

6. very true

[Hoyt]

8. I once had a cruddy job, and kept my own private policy so I could leave whenever I had enough.

Yep it cost me extra, but was worth the "insurance." It also allowed me to protect myself from abuses because I could walk at any time. I ended up staying at the job for over 10 years, but always with that private coverage in my pocket.

I think this is a huge advantage for a lot of folks who want to do something different, or even get out of a bad situation, but couldn't before because of health coverage considerations.

[NYC_SKP]

9. Sounds like what I'd do, but you have to feel for those with a family depending on the job.

For the benefits for their kids, especially, living from paycheck to paycheck and barely getting by.

Also, until now, rates for individuals were month-to-month, can be raised at any time.

In fact, COBRA is going up for me effective October, from $1,371 to $1,432 and there ain't shit I can do about it.

grrrr.

[NYC_SKP]

3. Thanks. I'll get better coverage for half the current cost with COBRA.

[SHRED]

5. My COBRA

It's real expensive. The health exchange is a way better deal for us.

Also...isn't COBRA going to be phased out?

[NYC_SKP]

7. I think COBRA will not longer have a reason to exist.

In a way, COBRA was a safety net.

I'm super pissed with it though.

In 2007 after quitting teaching, I got COBRA for under $500/month.

I went back to be an admin in 2010 and quit in March, same employer, now COBRA is $1,400/month.

For one person.

WTF, right?

[Journeyman]

10. Thanks for the links. This program is going to prove a lifesaver for my wife and I. . .

[PasadenaTrudy]

11. Does "Household"

include a hetero couple living together but not married? Looks I will be paying the same as I am now on my own, almost $400 a month, and the boyfriend, close to $500. That's a chunk of change

[SHRED]

12. Good question...

...look here or ask here if you don't find your answer.

http://www.cahba.com/advice/

[PasadenaTrudy]

13. Thanks...

I'll find out eventually I'm sure. It's still going to hit us hard. He makes $55K, which for Los Angeles, isn't a lot of money..

[SHRED]

14. What are you paying now?

[PasadenaTrudy]

15. I'm paying

$368 I think. I turn 50 next yr so I'm sure the premium could go up. David does not have any health ins. due to pre-existing conditions. He is 51. The good thing is that he will be able to get ins. now but it looks like it will be pricey. We were hoping it would be around $300 or so, but he makes too much to qualify for assistance. We are disappointed that Universal health care will probably never be a reality in this country, not in our life time at least. Once the car is paid off in 4 yrs that will free up some cash

[Iwillnevergiveup]

16. KICK!

Thanks for posting this, SHRED!

[PasadenaTrudy]

17. I'm fucked

I don't qualify for Medicare because I didn't work for 10 yrs and I'm not married. Might as well take a long walk off a short pier.

[SHRED]

18. It's based on current income