An impending "cliff" in federal health insurance subsidies may discourage some people from working, so that they can save thousands of dollars on annual insurance premiums, according to policy experts and financial planners.

Enhanced subsidies for health plans bought on the Affordable Care Act marketplace are set to expire at the end of 2025, the policy issue at the heart of the recent government shutdown. The federal aid, also known as enhanced premium tax credits, reduces recipients' out-of-pocket premiums, either upfront or in a lump sum at tax time.

About 22 million Americans — roughly 92% of people who buy insurance on the ACA marketplace — currently receive those enhanced subsidies. Recipients are expected to see their annual health premiums more than double, on average,

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