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How to pick a plan as health insurance premiums rise

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9 months ago

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A poster reads “Affordable Care Act Premiums Will Rise More Than 75%” as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) (2nd-L), accompanied by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) (L), speaks at a news conference to call on Republicans to pass Affordable Care Act tax breaks on Capitol Hill on Sept. 16, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Andrew Harnik | Getty Images

Open enrollment is underway for many employees, Medicare recipients, and those who purchase health insurance on their own through Affordable Care Act plans — and many of those Americans will see significant price hikes. 

Health insurance premiums for plans bought over the ACA marketplace will increase 114% on average if enhanced subsidies expire at the end of 2025, according to KFF, a nonpartisan health policy research group. About 22 million of the 24 million ACA marketplace participants — including many self-employed and small-business workers — receive those premium tax credits, which are a key issue in the ongoing government shutdown.

Contributing to that price increase, ACA insurers are raising premiums for next year by an estimated 26% on average, according to KFF, in part because those companies expect healthier people to drop coverage if the enhanced subsidies expire.

“What’s not certain is whether the price you’re seeing today is what it will actually be,” said Louise Norris, a health policy analyst with healthinsurance.org. “If those subsidy enhancements get extended, or if they get modified and extended, you might end up paying a different premium than what you’re seeing now.”

Managing rising health care costs: Here's what to know

Employer-sponsored plans are seeing smaller, but still notable, increases. The vast majority of Americans, about 165 million people, including employees and their dependents, obtain health insurance through their employer, according to KFF.

Employees could see their payroll deductions for health care coverage rise by 6.5% on average for 2026 —the steepest increase in 15 years, global consulting firm Mercer found. 

“It’s invisible for a lot of people because it’s paycheck deduction,” said Zach Teutsch, founder of Values Added Financial in Washington, DC. Teutsch is a member of CNBC’s Financial Advisor Council.

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Here’s a look at more stories on how to manage, grow and protect your money for the years ahead.

As costs spike, millions of Americans may be facing a tough decision about which health insurance option to choose — and how to afford it. Here are key steps financial advisors and health policy analysts recommend taking before enrolling in health coverage for 2026. 

Review your 2025 health-care expenses

Before you look at 2026 options, tally your out-of-pocket costs for 2025 so far, including co-payments, medical bills, prescriptions and over-the-counter expenses. Tracking what you’ve spent on recent health-care needs will help you calculate potential 2026 expenses and give you a better idea of the type of medical coverage you’ll need. 

Compare all available plans for 2026

Even if your insurer is offering the same health insurance plan options as this year in 2026, premiums and deductibles likely increased. Plus, your health needs may have changed. Check which of your current providers are still “in-network” and determine the coverage for out-of-network providers. 

If you have to undergo surgery or now have a chronic illness, you may opt for a different plan, or you may need to make a plan change to better manage costs. 

Many employers offer two choices, which boil down to: pay now or pay later. You can pay more upfront with higher premiums deducted from each paycheck and a lower deductible, which is the amount you pay before insurance kicks in. Or you can pay later with lower premiums and a higher deductible. 

For ACA plans, you can compare options through the federal marketplace, or a state-specific website for residents in Washington, D.C., and 20 states. 

If you’re enrolled in Medicare, use the Plan Finder Tool on Medicare.gov.

Pause on ACA enrollment

Longhua Liao | Moment | Getty Images

If you are getting coverage through the ACA marketplace, don’t sign up just yet. If the enhanced subsidies are extended or modified, “you might pay less than what it looks like it’s going to be,” said Norris.

Set yourself a reminder to check on the price in late November and make adjustments. Be sure to sign up before the December 15 deadline for a January 1 start date. 

Consider your health needs

You don’t want to be uninsured, experts say: An emergency room visit or intensive care stay can reach six figures.

“The idea of a multi $100,000 hospital bill is not uncommon at all,” said Norris. “It’s one thing to set up a payment plan with the hospital to pay off, say a $7,000 deductible. It’s a totally different thing when you’re looking at trying to set up a payment plan for a $400,000 bill.”

People with no health issues and who rarely visit a doctor may save money with a high deductible plan, which, for ACA plans, is the bronze level. “That way, if you all of a sudden get hit by cancer or something bad, you’ll have health insurance coverage,”  said Carolyn McClanahan, a physician and certified financial planner based in Jacksonville, Florida. Some doctors won’t even see you if you don’t have health insurance coverage, she said.

Managing your money when paychecks stop

Another option, if you have chronic care needs or go to the doctor more often than a basic plan covers, is to add a direct primary care physician to a bronze health insurance plan, McClanahan said. A monthly subscription fee, typically $50 to $150, covers basic primary care visits and may include services such as lab work and x-rays. Those payments won’t count toward your deductible.

“It never goes under insurance,” said McClanahan, the founder of Life Planning Partners and a member of CNBC’s Financial Advisor Council. “It’s basically cash pay.”

Ask questions to understand what’s covered and that it’s a good fit, McClanahan said: “Just because they’ve opted to be a direct primary care doctor doesn’t mean that they’re necessarily the best doctor for you. So make sure that your personalities fit.”

Take advantage of FSAs and HSAs

If your employer offers a health flexible spending account, or FSA, you can use the pre-tax dollars you put into that account to pay for eligible out-of-pocket medical expenses, co-payments, deductibles, prescriptions and vision or dental care. Putting money into this account will not only lower your taxable income for next year, but also allow you to pay for health-care expenses with money that otherwise would have been taxed.

Health savings accounts, or HSAs, are another tax-advantaged option to help pay for medical, dental and vision expenses — as long as you are enrolled in a qualifying high-deductible health plan. Unlike FSAs, you can use the money over time and put it in long-term investments. Recent legislation has also expanded access to HSAs through more marketplace health plans.

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$20,000 Caution Bond Requirement for US Visa Applications imposed on 50 Countries

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6 days ago

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August 8, 2026

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The United States Department of State has officially implemented a revised visa policy introducing a mandatory posting requirement for caution payments of up to $20,000 on select foreign travel applications. Under the updated regulatory framework, consular officials are authorized to require temporary nonimmigrant visa applicants from targeted foreign countries to post a refundable financial bond of $20,000 as a condition for visa issuance. The policy mechanism is designed to address diplomatic concerns regarding high overstay rates among temporary visitor, business, and educational visa categories.

The caution bond pilot program applies selectively to foreign nationals from designated countries whose diplomatic entities record historical visa overstay rates exceeding established federal thresholds. Under administrative guidelines published by the State Department, the full financial deposit is posted directly to a dedicated federal escrow account prior to final visa issuance. The entire caution payment is automatically refunded to the applicant upon verified proof of timely departure from the United States in strict compliance with the authorized duration of stay. Conversely, failure to depart within the legal timeframe results in full forfeiture of the posted financial bond to the United States government.

Diplomatic representatives and travel policy experts have expressed varying perspectives regarding the operational implementation of the caution bond system. Administration officials emphasize that the measure serves as an effective, market-based incentive to enforce international travel compliance and preserve domestic immigration security standards. However, international trade organizations and foreign diplomatic missions have raised concerns regarding the financial burden imposed on legitimate business travelers, foreign students, and commercial partners from developing nations.

The United States finalized the rule to make the temporary visa bond program permanent, taking effect on August 3, 2026. The updated permanent regulation replaces the prior 12-month pilot, eliminates the lowest $5,000 tier, and raises the maximum required bond amount to $20,000 for specific B-1/B-2 business and tourist visa applicants.

Here is the list of the 50 countries on the list as o August 3, 2026

African Nations (31 Countries)

  • Algeria
  • Angola
  • Benin
  • Botswana
  • Burundi
  • Cabo Verde (Cape Verde)
  • Central African Republic
  • Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
  • Djibouti
  • Ethiopia
  • Gabon
  • The Gambia
  • Ghana
  • Guinea
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Lesotho
  • Malawi
  • Mauritania
  • Mauritius
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Nigeria
  • São Tomé and Príncipe
  • Senegal
  • Seychelles
  • Tanzania
  • Togo
  • Tunisia
  • Uganda
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

Asian & Eastern European Nations (11 Countries)

  • Bangladesh
  • Bhutan
  • Cambodia
  • Georgia
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Mongolia
  • Nepal
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Tajikistan
  • Turkmenistan
  • Uzbekistan

Caribbean & Latin American Nations (5 Countries)

  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Cuba
  • Dominica
  • Grenada
  • Venezuela

Oceanian Nations (3 Countries)

  • Fiji
  • Tonga
  • Vanuatu

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Personal Finance

Next-Generation Retirement Planning: Managing Longevity Risk and Variable Income Streams

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1 week ago

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August 7, 2026

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Retirement planning strategies are evolving in 2026 to address increased life expectancies, shifting dynamic market conditions, and the transition away from traditional defined-benefit pensions. Individual investors and financial advisors are abandoning rigid retirement models in favor of flexible, multi-asset strategies designed to mitigate longevity risk and preserve purchasing power over multi-decade retirement horizons.

Mitigating Longevity Risk with Dynamic Asset Allocation
As average life expectancies extend past eighty-five years, one of the primary financial risks facing retirees is outliving their accumulated wealth. Traditional fixed income allocations—such as the standard 60/40 equity-to-bond portfolio—are being reevaluated to ensure portfolios generate sufficient capital growth alongside reliable income.

Financial planners recommend maintaining a meaningful equity allocation throughout retirement to offset long-term inflation erosion. High-dividend equity funds, global real estate investment trusts (REITs), and inflation-indexed Treasuries are combined to create diversified portfolios that deliver both growth and income stability.

The Transition to Dynamic Withdrawal Strategies
The classic “4% safe withdrawal rule” is increasingly replaced by dynamic withdrawal strategies that adapt annually based on market performance. Under a dynamic withdrawal framework, retirees adjust their annual distribution rates within pre-set caps and floors:
– Market Upside: During strong market returns, retirees can increase discretionary spending or fund family legacy gifts.
– Market Downturns: During market pullbacks, spending distributions are temporarily reduced to prevent sequence-of-returns risk and preserve core investment principal.

Guaranteed Lifetime Income Options and Deferred Annuities
To establish a guaranteed baseline for essential living expenses, individuals are incorporating modern fixed-indexed and deferred longevity annuities into their broader retirement architectures. Modern annuity structures offer competitive return caps, transparent fee schedules, and inflation-adjustment options.

By funding essential expenses—such as housing, healthcare, and insurance—with guaranteed income streams from Social Security, pensions, and annuities, retirees can manage discretionary investment portfolios with greater flexibility and lower emotional stress during market volatility.

Actionable Steps for Future Retirees
1. Calculate Baseline Retirement Expenses: Determine fixed living costs and map guaranteed income sources to cover essential expenditures.
2. Adopt Flexible Withdrawal Rules: Implement dynamic spending rules to protect investment principal against market downturns.
3. Incorporate Inflation-Protected Assets: Maintain exposure to dividend-growing equities and inflation-indexed bonds to safeguard long-term purchasing power.

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Personal Finance

Building Generational Wealth: Family Governance, Estate Tax Optimization, and Asset Protection

Published

2 weeks ago

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August 1, 2026

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As the largest intergenerational transfer of wealth in history accelerates, high-net-worth families, entrepreneurs, and individual investors are placing heightened emphasis on comprehensive estate planning, family governance, and asset protection. Preserving capital across generations requires a balanced approach combining tax-efficient legal structures with open family communication and financial literacy education.

Optimizing Estate Tax Exemptions and Trust Structures
With potential modifications to federal estate tax exemption thresholds on the horizon, proactive estate planning is essential for high-net-worth households. Estate planning attorneys and wealth advisors are establishing multi-generational trust structures to transfer wealth efficiently while minimizing estate and gift tax exposure.

Popular structural strategies include:
– Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs): Utilizing life insurance proceeds to provide liquidity for estate tax obligations without expanding the taxable estate.
– Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs): Transferring rapidly appreciating assets to beneficiaries with minimal gift tax consequences.
– Dynasty Trusts: Preserving wealth across multiple generations while providing long-term asset protection from creditor claims and legal liabilities.

Establishing Family Governance and Financial Education
Legal and financial structures alone cannot guarantee long-term wealth preservation without effective family governance. Financial advisors report that a significant percentage of multi-generational wealth dissipation stems from lack of communication and inadequate financial preparation among heir generations.

Families are establishing formal family governance frameworks, including periodic family meetings, written mission statements, and structured philanthropic foundations. Involving younger family members in charitable grant-making and investment discussions fosters financial stewardship and prepares heirs to manage family assets responsibly.

Digital Asset Custody and Legacy Planning
In today’s modern economy, estate planning must extend beyond physical real estate and traditional brokerage accounts to encompass digital assets. Comprehensive estate plans now include detailed inventories and legal access protocols for corporate domain names, intellectual property, digital media rights, and cryptocurrency holdings.

Fiduciaries and estate executors should be provided with secure, encrypted access mechanisms and clear legal authority to manage and transfer digital holdings in accordance with the owner’s estate directions.

Practical Steps for Legacy Planning
1. Review and Update Estate Documents: Ensure wills, revocable trusts, and power-of-attorney designations accurately reflect current family structures.
2. Establish Structured Trusts: Utilize irrevocable trusts to protect assets from creditors and minimize future estate tax liabilities.
3. Create a Digital Estate Inventory: Document access protocols and legal permissions for all online accounts, intellectual property, and digital assets.

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