Nice write up (although I already knew everything in it from extensive research, it is nice to have a source to point others toward).
We just retired and have some work related income this year, but with 401K max contribution, two traditional IRA, and an HSA contribution, we can sneak in $200 of subsidy, bringing our silver plan premium from $646 to $446 per month for a couple. Next year, when we have no W2 income, we can make our MAGI pretty much anything we want. I am thinking of shooting for around 140% of FPL, which will bring that $646 down to a more reasonable $70 per month or so.
Instead of paying off our house, we plan to sell our paid off house. We are going to travel by RV and possibly rent small apartments or houses in certain areas of the country we want to have an extended visit. Because the money from the sale of our house is tax free, we can use this to pay rent/food/expenses (likely set up a CD ladder to slightly combat inflation). Our growth will come from 100% stocks in our Roth and 401K/IRA accounts. Conversions to Roth to meet the ~$22,000 threshold to be off Medicaid. We might need the Roth pipeline later, but likely not for a decade.
If the ACA holds, it will likely save us around $100,000 or more until we reach Medicare age. Not insignificant.
