Can I / Should I deduct my 2026 COBRA premiums that will be $14,400 for 2026?

[leeleses]

I'm retiring at the end of this year due to having Parkinson's.

I qualified for SSDI as of 11/15/25, monthly payment is $2930.

I have two small federally taxable pensions that will provide another $932 a month, before taxes.

My total income before taxes in 2026 will be $46,344.

I have to pay COBRA of $1200 a month all year.

The standard deduction for 2026 will increase to $16,100 for single tax filers.

Question: Should I be looking to limit my taxable income in 2026 to $46,344 (I don't know how much of the $2930 SSDI monthly income is taxable) by drawing any funds needed for living expenses above the $46.344 from my ROTH IRA account?

I'm trying to figure out what my 2026 AGI will be, and if by keeping it as small as possible if I will be able to deduct the $1200 a month COBRA expense (If it's more that 7.5% of my AGI) and get back more than if I just go with the standard deduction in 2026?

Thank you for any and all input. I'm a little confused how to calculate all of these variables!

[VolvoGirl]

The SSDI probably won’t be taxable or just a small amount.     Up to 85% of Social Security becomes taxable when all your other income plus 1/2 your social security, reaches:

Married Filing Jointly: $32,000

Single or head of household: $25,000

Married Filing Separately: 0

So your AGI will be small to determine how much medical you can deduct.  Do you have any other deductions like property tax?  

[VolvoGirl]

And just looking at your COBRA payments.   The 14,400 is already less than the Standard Deduction.  Then it is reduced by 7.5% of your AGI.   So unless you have a lot of other deductions to itemize you will be taking the Standard Deduction.

[leeleses]

Hi.

The only property taxes I have are the town taxes and school taxes on my primary residence.

Am I right the way to go is to get my 2026 AGI as low as possible?

And yes, I guess most of the SSDI won't be taxable.

[leeleses]

That was my fear.  I wasn't sure how this particular situation would be calculated.

[VolvoGirl · Accepted solution]

Well you only need a low AGI to pay lower tax.   A lower AGI won’t help you to deduct the 14,400 COBRA.   14,400 is already less than the 16,100 Standard Deduction.   Just take the Standard Deduction.