New messages from Aflac |
View Notifications opens a dialog
Close X dismisses the notification alert
Early retirement is defined as anything before the age of 65.1 If you decide to retire early, you may wonder about your health insurance options. Luckily, there are many ways to get early retiree health insurance.
If you decide to wait until you are 65 to retire, you may be able to qualify for Medicare. Medicare is a government program designed to help citizens over 65 pay for necessary healthcare.2 It’s important to note that Aflac does not offer traditional health insurance for early retirees, but we provide supplemental coverage to complement your existing plan.
Table of Contents
If you find yourself with expensive out-of-pocket costs after your primary health insurance has been used, supplemental insurance can help you pay for the care you need. Some of our plans pay you cash benefits (unless benefits are assigned) that you can choose how you want to use — whether it be for treatments, medication, or everyday utilities like electricity and groceries.
For example, we offer accident insurance to help you recover from an unexpected injury, critical illness insurance to aid you back to health after a life-altering illness and cancer insurance to help pay for the necessary treatments and procedures involved with a cancer diagnosis. These are just a few of the options at Aflac for early retirees, so we recommend chatting with an agent to learn more about your options.
Read on to learn about how early retirement health insurance works, some types of plans available, and how supplemental insurance can provide additional coverage.
If you have employer-sponsored health insurance, you may be able to extend it for a few extra years after early retirement. If that isn’t the case, you can still find an early retirement health insurance plan that meets your specific coverage needs.
Deciding to retire early counts as a special enrollment period, allowing you to opt into a health insurance plan outside the typical enrollment schedule.1 Early retirement health insurance can fluctuate depending on the state you live in, your income, and how many dependents you have.
If you don’t have employer-sponsored health insurance, you can still get a plan through the government, your state or a private company. Let’s discuss how each one of these coverage options works.
A health insurance marketplace is a place where residents can buy health insurance through the state they live in. In some cases, you may be able to receive certain tax benefits and less expensive out-of-pocket costs depending on your income and who you are supporting.1
COBRA stands for Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. This act helps employees receive continued health insurance benefits from their employer if they lose their job or their hours are scaled back. Usually, businesses with over 20 employees are required to honor COBRA.3 COBRA usually can extend health insurance coverage anywhere from 18 to 36 months.3
Lastly, you can always buy health insurance from a private company, separate from what is offered through the state. Usually, you may be able to get better benefits from a private health insurance company, but it can be more expensive than a state-run program.4
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Help cover yourself and your family with coverage from Aflac.
Get StartedThe cost of health insurance for early retirees varies greatly depending on the plan you choose and your specific coverage needs. Costs can be influenced by the state you live in, your income, your dependents and whether you choose a private or public health insurance plan. As noted earlier, private health insurance options may be pricier than government-run programs.
When choosing the right early retirement health insurance plan, here are some factors you should consider:
Supplemental insurance can offer additional coverage for treatments and costs your primary insurance plan doesn’t cover. Here are some supplemental plans Aflac offers for early retirees:
If you’re planning for early retirement, we recommend you look at each health insurance plan closely before making a decision. For those looking for additional support and fewer out-of-pocket expenses, Aflac supplemental insurance can make all the difference in getting you and your family the coverage you deserve. From critical illness insurance to final expense whole life insurance, our plans come with reasonable premiums that may fit your budget. Explore our variety of supplemental insurance products to discover better support.
Get Started
Looking to buy affordable health insurance? Learn what your options are and how to get the right affordable health insurance plan for you.
Health insurance deductibles can vary depending on the plan. Learn how they work and the differences between health insurance with high and low deductibles.
Looking to buy affordable health insurance? Learn what your options are and how to get the right affordable health insurance plan for you.
Health insurance deductibles can vary depending on the plan. Learn how they work and the differences between health insurance with high and low deductibles.
1 Health Care Gov - Coverage for Retirees. Accessed March 21, 2025. https://www.healthcare.gov/retirees/.
2 Medicare - What's Medicare. Accessed March 21, 2025. https://www.medicare.gov/what-medicare-covers/your-medicare-coverage-choices/whats-medicare.
3 Complete Payroll Solutions - Do Employers Have to Offer COBRA? Compliance Tips & Guidance. Published July 18, 2023. Accessed April 9, 2025. https://www.completepayrollsolutions.com/blog/do-employers-have-to-offer-cobra-compliance-guide..
4 Thrivent - 8 Early Retirement Health Insurance Options. Updated January 23, 2025. Accessed March 21, 2025. https://www.thrivent.com/insights/financial-planning/8-early-retirement-health-insurance-options.
Content within this article is provided for general informational purposes and is not provided as tax, legal, health, or financial advice for any person or for any specific situation. Employers, employees, and other individuals should contact their own advisers about their situations. For complete details, including availability and costs of Aflac insurance, please contact your local Aflac agent.
Aflac Coverage:
Accident, A36000 series: In Delaware, Policies A36100DE—A36400DE, & A363OFDE. In Idaho, Policies A36100ID–A36400ID, & A363OFID. In Oklahoma, Policies A36100OK– A36400OK, & A363OFOK. In Virginia, Policies A36100VA – A36400VA, & A363OFVA. A37000 series: In Delaware, Policy A371AA & A371BA. In Idaho, Policy A37000ID. In Oklahoma, Policy A37000OK. In Virginia, Policies A371AAVA & A371BAVA. A38000 series: In Delaware Policies A38100DE – A38300DE, In Oklahoma A38100OK – A38300OK.
Cancer/Specified-Disease, B70000 series: In Delaware, Policies B70100DE, B70200DE & B70300DE. In Idaho, Policies B70100ID, B70200ID, B70300ID, B7010EPID, B7020EPID. In Oklahoma, Policies B70100OK, B70200OK, B70300OK, B7010EPOK, B7020EPOK. 75000 series: In Virginia, policies A75100VA–A75300VA. Cancer insurance is also known as specified disease insurance in some states.
Critical Illness/Specified Health Event, A74000 series: In Delaware, Policies A74100DE, A74200DE, A74300DE. In Idaho, Policies A74100ID, A74200ID, A74300ID. In Oklahoma, Policies A74100OK, A74200OK, A74300OK. In Virginia, Policies A74100VA, A74200VA, A74300VA. A73000 series: In Delaware, Policies A73100DE & A7310HDE. In Idaho, Policies A73100ID & A7310HID. In Oklahoma, Policies A73100OK & A7310HOK. In Virginia, Policy A73100VA & A7310HVA. B71000 series: In Delaware, Policies B71100, B71200, B7130H & B7140H. In Oklahoma, Policies B71100OK & B7110HOK.
Dental, A82000 series: In Delaware, Policies A82100R–A82400R. In Idaho, Policies A82100RID–A82400RID. In Oklahoma, Policies A82100ROK–A82400ROK. In Virginia, Policies A82100RVA–A82400RVA.
Hospital, B40000 series: In Delaware, Policies B40100DE & B4010HDE. In Idaho, Policies B40100ID & B4010HID. In Oklahoma, Policies B40100OK & B4010HOK. In Pennsylvania, Policies B40100PA & B4010HPA. In Virginia, Policies B40100VA & B4010HVA.
Life, A68000 series: Term Life Policies: In Arkansas, Idaho, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Pennsylvania & Virginia, Policies: ICC1368200, ICC1368300, ICC1368400. In Delaware, Policies A68200, A68300 & A68400. In New York, Policies NY68200, NY68300 and NY68400. Whole Life Policies: In Arkansas, Idaho, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Pennsylvania & Virginia, Policies: ICC1368100. In Delaware, Policy A68100. In New York, Policy NYR68100. B60000 series: In Arkansas, Idaho, Oklahoma & Virginia, Policies: ICC18B60C10, ICC18B60100, ICC18B60200, ICC18B60300, & ICC18B60400. Not available in Delaware. Q60000 series/Whole: In Arkansas & Delaware, Policy Q60100M. In Idaho, Policy Q60100MID. In Oklahoma, Policy Q60100MOK. Not available in Virginia. Q60000 series/Term: In Delaware, Policies Q60200CM. In Arkansas, Idaho, Oklahoma, Policies ICC18Q60200C, ICC18Q60300C, ICC18Q60400C. Not available in Virginia.
Aflac coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus. In New York, Aflac coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of New York.
Tier One Coverage:
Accident, T37000 series: In Delaware, Policy T37000. In Idaho, Policies T37100ID, T37200ID, & T37300ID. In Oklahoma, Policy T37000OK. In Virginia, Policies T37100VA, T37200VA, T37300VA, T37400VA & T37600VA.
Cancer/Specified Disease plans, T70000 series: In Delaware, Policy T70000. In Idaho, Policy T70000ID. In Oklahoma T70000OK, In Virginia, policies T70000VA & T70000GVA.
Critical Illness, T71000 series: In Delaware, Policy T71000. In Oklahoma, Policy T71000OK. In Virginia, Policy T71100VA.
Dental, Vision and Hearing: In Delaware, Policy T80000. In Idaho, Policy T80000ID. In Oklahoma, Policy T80000OK. Not available NY or VA. Dental claims are administered by SKYGEN USA, LLC. Vision claims are administered by EyeMed Vision Care, LLC. Hearing claims are administered by Nations Hearing. NOTICE: The coverage offered is not a qualified health plan (QHP) under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and is not required to satisfy essential health benefits mandates of the ACA. The coverage provides limited benefits.
Life, Final Expense: In AR, DE, ID, OK and VA: Policies ICC21-AFLLBL21 and ICC21-AFLRPL21; and Riders ICC21-AFLABR22, ICC21-AFLADB22, and ICC21-AFLCDR22. Aflac Final Expense policies are not available in New York. Aflac Final Expense insurance coverage is underwritten by Tier One Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Aflac Incorporated and is administered by Aetna Life Insurance Company.
Tier One coverage is underwritten by Tier One Insurance Company. Tier One Insurance Company is part of the Aflac family of insurers. In California, Tier One Insurance Company does business as Tier One Life Insurance Company (NAIC 92908).
Coverage may not be available in all states, including but not limited to DE, ID, NJ, NM, NY, VA or VT. Benefits/premium rates may vary based on state and plan levels. Optional riders may be available at an additional cost. Policies and riders may also contain a waiting period. Refer to the exact policy and rider forms for benefit details, definitions, limitations, and exclusions.
Aflac WWHQ | Tier One Insurance Company | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999
Aflac New York | 22 Corporate Woods Boulevard, Suite 2 | Albany, NY 12211
Z2400201R1
EXP 4/26
