ACA Affordability Calculator for Employers
Compare the employee-only contribution with one of the three employer affordability safe harbors for plan years beginning in 2026 or 2027.
Check an ACA affordability safe harbor
Compare the employee's monthly cost for the lowest-cost self-only plan that provides minimum value with one employer safe harbor.
Affordability is plan- and employee-specific
Use the employee contribution for the lowest-cost self-only option available to that employee that provides minimum value. The safe harbors help an applicable large employer test affordability without knowing household income.
The IRS set the indexed affordability percentage at 9.96% for 2026 and 10.22% for 2027. HHS publishes the annual poverty guidelines.
Affordability calculator questions
Which employee premium should I enter?
Use the required employee contribution for the lowest-cost self-only coverage option available to the employee that provides minimum value. Do not enter the family premium.
Can we use different safe harbors for different employees?
The IRS permits one or more safe harbors, but categories must be reasonable and a selected safe harbor must be used uniformly and consistently for employees in that category.
Does a passing result prove full ACA compliance?
No. This calculator addresses only the selected affordability safe harbor. Offer, minimum-value, eligibility, reporting and other requirements still apply. Review the IRS employer shared-responsibility Q&A.
Turn the calculation into a plan decision.
Review employee contributions, minimum value and plan choices together before enrollment begins.