Can I deduct health insurance premiums if I am retired?

Asked by: Onie Armstrong DDS  |  Last update: August 13, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (72 votes)

You can have any amount deducted monthly for insurance premiums as long as your retirement payment is sufficient to cover the deduction after all your other deductions, such as federal income tax withholding, are taken.

Can retirees write off health insurance premiums?

Health insurance premiums can be tax deductible when you retire, but it depends on several factors such as your age, the type of health insurance plan that you have and whether you are self-employed or not.

What deductions stop when you retire?

The following are examples of deductions that are NOT taken from retirement checks:
  • Social Security Tax.
  • Medicare Tax.
  • CalPERS Contributions.
  • Union Dues.
  • Parking Fees.
  • Also, all voluntary deductions cease. This can include life insurance, long term care, credit unions, and charitable contributions.

What are the rules for deducting health insurance premiums?

Generally, you are allowed to deduct health insurance rates on your taxes if you itemize your deductions, pay your health insurance premiums directly, and your medical expenses totaled more than 7.5% of your income for the year.

What is the extra standard deduction for seniors over 65?

For 2024, the additional standard deduction amounts for taxpayers who are 65 and older or blind are: $1,950 for Single or Head of Household (increase of $100) $1,550 for married taxpayers or Qualifying Surviving Spouse (increase of $50)

Are Health Insurance Premiums Tax Deductible?

44 related questions found

At what age is Social Security no longer taxed?

Social Security income can be taxable no matter how old you are. It all depends on whether your total combined income exceeds a certain level set for your filing status. You may have heard that Social Security income is not taxed after age 70; this is false.

Is there an extra exemption for being over 65?

Standard deduction for seniors – If you do not itemize your deductions, you can get a higher standard deduction amount if you and/or your spouse are 65 years old or older. You can get an even higher standard deduction amount if either you or your spouse is blind. (See Form 1040 and Form 1040-SR instructions PDF.)

Is it worth claiming medical expenses on taxes?

The medical expense deduction covers a wide variety of expenses. However, because of the high Standard Deduction and the 7.5% of AGI threshold requirement, it can be difficult to benefit unless you have a lot of out-of-pocket costs.

Is homeowners insurance tax deductible?

You may look for ways to reduce costs including turning to your tax return. Some taxpayers have asked if homeowner's insurance is tax deductible. Here's the skinny: You can only deduct homeowner's insurance premiums paid on rental properties. Homeowner's insurance is never tax deductible your main home.

Do insurance premiums go towards deductible?

No, your premium does not go towards your deductible, and it doesn't count for your out-of-pocket maximum (the most you'll pay for care each year). But deductibles and premiums flow into one another. They have an inverse relationship. When one is more affordable, the other tends to be more expensive.

What tax breaks do retirees get?

6. Elderly Credit. Certain taxpayers aged 65 or older are eligible for the elderly credit, which is a tax break that could mitigate the amount of tax owed up to $7,500. To qualify for this credit, individuals with no dependents must have a gross income lower than $17,500.

At what age do seniors stop paying federal taxes?

Taxes aren't determined by age, so you will never age out of paying taxes. People who are 65 or older at the end of 2024 have to file a return for tax year 2024 (which is due in 2025) if their gross income is $16,550 or higher. If you're married filing jointly and both 65 or older, that amount is $32,300.

What are mandatory retirement deductions?

Mandatory retirement deductions decrease your gross income which has the same effect as both union dues and health care. However, parents who have mandatory retirement taken out of their monthly wage typically do not have deductions for either Social Security or FICA (Federal Insurance Contribution Act).

Can seniors deduct medical expenses on taxes?

Who can deduct a medical expenses? Households with at least one “elderly” or “disabled” person can deduct non-reimbursed medical costs over $35 a month. [7 U.S.C. § 2014(e)(5); 7 C.F.R.

Can you take the standard deduction if you are retired?

If you don't itemize deductions, you are entitled to a higher standard deduction if you are age 65 or older at the end of the year. You are considered age 65 at the end of the year if your 65th birthday is on or before January 1 of the following year.

Can you deduct your car insurance on your taxes?

You can typically deduct some or all of your car insurance premiums if you're self-employed or own a business and drive your car for work. The amount you can deduct depends on how much you use the car for business-related purposes.

What household things can you claim on taxes?

If you itemize, you can deduct these expenses:
  • Bad debts.
  • Canceled debt on home.
  • Capital losses.
  • Donations to charity.
  • Gains from sale of your home.
  • Gambling losses.
  • Home mortgage interest.
  • Income, sales, real estate and personal property taxes.

Are health insurance premiums tax deductible?

You can include health insurance premiums in your medical expense calculations. However, certain premiums are not eligible for medical expense deductions. You cannot include the following premiums in your tax deductions: Life insurance policies.

Can you deduct Medicare premiums?

Yes, Medicare premiums are tax deductible as a medical expense as long as you meet two requirements. First, you must itemize your deductions on your tax return to deduct them from your taxable income. Second, only medical expenses that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) are deductible.

Are prescription glasses tax deductible?

You can deduct the costs for prescription eyeglasses and eye exams on your tax return. But they must be a part of your itemized medical deductions, which need to exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income.

Are there any deductions you can take without itemizing?

To reap the benefits of deductions without the hassle of itemization, Backman notes you'll need line items that fall into these categories — contributions to your IRA, contributions to your HSA (health savings account), expenses you incur as a teacher like purchasing classroom supplies, and interest on student loans.

Are there any federal tax breaks for retirees?

Extra standard deduction for people over 65

For example, a single 64-year-old taxpayer can claim a standard deduction of $14,600 on their 2024 tax return. However, a single 65-year-old taxpayer will get a $16,550 standard deduction for the 2024 tax year.

At what age do you stop filing taxes?

For 2021, single taxpayers are required to file a tax return if their gross income is $12,550 or more; however, single taxpayers 65 or older are not required to file unless their gross income is $14,250 or more.

What is the new standard deduction for seniors over 65?

For single filers and heads of households age 65 and over, the additional standard deduction will increase slightly — from $1,950 in 2024 (returns you'll file soon in early 2025) to $2,000 in 2025 (returns you'll file in early 2026).