As enrollment for Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance, popularly known as ObamaCare, opens on Saturday, a specific segment of the American population might face increased monthly premiums if tax credits are not renewed by year’s end.

For Americans aged 60 and over with an annual income of $65,000, monthly premiums could rise by $920 in 2026, according to a KFF health research nonprofit analysis reported by The New York Times. Without the tax credits, monthly premiums would climb to $1,380. However, if the credits are extended, the cost would remain at $460 per month.

Currently, these tax credits allow eligible Americans to receive $866 in financial assistance, effectively subsidizing 65% of their monthly expenses under the silver plan.

The amount individuals pay can differ greatly depending on their location, age, and income level.

Seniors earning $65,000 annually in rural states such as Montana, Texas, and New Mexico may experience steeper premium increases. For instance, residents in West Virginia could face a $1,544 monthly premium if tax credits lapse, as opposed to just $460 with them, according to KFF’s online calculator.

Lower earners would lose their free insurance. Americans who make less than $27,000 would pay $66 a month should subsidies expire.

People earning $35,000 will see a $132 increase compared to the $86 they would spend should subsidies be extended into 2026.

The fight over not letting Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits expire has been central to the standoff over the government shutdown. Extending the subsidies would cost the federal government around $23 billion in 2026 and about $350 billion over the next 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

Had Congress extended tax credits on Sept. 30, premiums for the 2026 plan would be 2.4 percent lower than baseline projections, CBO Director Phillip Swagel wrote in a memorandum to congressional leaders on Sept. 18, 12 days before the shutdown.

“CBO estimates that an enactment date later than September 30 would result in lower costs to the federal government and smaller increases in 2026 enrollment than those presented here,” Swagel wrote.

Democrats want to negotiate on keeping tax credits rolling into next year. Republicans argue that that can happen once Democrats agree to funding the government.

But these negotiations are likely too late.

“I would strongly say if there’s going to be a big policy conversation about marketplace affordability, it’s too late to do that for 2026 coverage, and it should be done for 2027 coverage,” Jessica Altman, executive director of Covered California, previously told The Hill.

The longer it takes for lawmakers to make changes to the ACA tax credits, “the more burdensome it will be to marketplaces and consumers, and the more messy it will be,” she said.

Almost 4 million fewer people will have marketplace plans in a decade should subsidies expire, according to the CBO.