I'm turning 26

Does turning 26 qualify me for a Special Enrollment Period?

Coverage under a parent's plan ends at age 26, and that loss of coverage is a qualifying life event. You have 60 days after it ends to enroll in your own marketplace plan, and you can apply up to 60 days before it ends so there is no gap between plans. Marketplace coverage is usually cheaper than COBRA or a short parent-plan extension, because a young adult's starting income often qualifies for meaningful monthly savings that COBRA never offers. Turning 26 is also the cheapest moment of your life to buy term life insurance: rates are based on age and health, so locking in a 20 or 30 year level term policy now keeps the premium low for decades.

Read the turning 26 guide →