tax deduction for retiree health ins premiums

[katste12]

Does anyone know of an instance where Health Insurance Premuims we now pay as a retiree for health insurance through fomer employer 's plan would be able to be tax deductible. just seems that it should be as it was paid with pretax money while an active employee.
this seems to unfairly burden early retired people who can't go to medicare, but remain on company plan as early retirees. (not to mention it's also more expensive than employee 's premium)

[Steven]

I believe Health insurance premiums and Cobra premiums are qualified medical expenses for HSA purposes.

If you don't have an HSA, your insurance premiums are considered medical expenses. Medical expenses are deductible to the extent they exceed 7.5% of your AGI.

[MichaelB]

Yes, health insurance premiums are deductible medical expenses, even in early retirement.

Steven and katste12, welcome to the forum. Why not stop by and introduce yourselves here Hi, I am... - Early Retirement & Financial Independence Community

[kaneohe]

Unfortunately, as mentioned previously, you can only deduct the insurance premiums, to the extent that medical expenses (including the premiums) exceed the min. floor amount of 7.5% of AGI and even if they do exceed that floor are only useful if you itemize so employees who make pre-tax payments do have an advantage.

[Sue J]

We never have enough deductions to itemize for Federal, but this was the first time we had enough for a medical deduction for our state taxes and our un-subsidized dental insurance premiums counted toward that. Our medical is subsidized through the retiree plan but for the dental we pay the full amount.

So check if it will help you for your state taxes.

[Alan]

Unfortunately kaneohe is correct.

As an employee the premiums are paid with before tax money regardless of your income or deductions. It was a nice tax subsidy I also lost as an ER. My company also had an FSA scheme for employees where we put before tax money to pay out of pocket expenses including OTC drugs, eye tests, dental, glasses etc.

Rather than thinking of it as unfair, you should consider it as a worker's tax-free perk you no longer have.

[katste12]

I guess that a good way to look at it.
We miss out taking it on sched a - never reach the 7.5% to be able to itemize
thanks for the help

[MichaelB]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Rather than thinking of it as unfair, you should consider it as a worker's tax-free perk you no longer have.

+1

[kaneohe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven I believe Health insurance premiums and Cobra premiums are qualified medical expenses for HSA purposes. .

True for Cobra but not medical insurance premiums in general according to this see p. 8-9 http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p969.pdf

[ripper1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaneohe Unfortunately, as mentioned previously, you can only deduct the insurance premiums, to the extent that medical expenses (including the premiums) exceed the min. floor amount of 7.5% of AGI and even if they do exceed that floor are only useful if you itemize so employees who make pre-tax payments do have an advantage.

Ah, yes, another deduction to make the cost of my new mortgage even cheaper. OH OH, sorry I must be on the wrong thread.