Dental Insurance for Early Retirees (Under 65)

Retiring before age 65 is a significant milestone, but it often comes with an unexpected challenge: losing your employer-sponsored dental insurance. According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately 96% of adults between ages 50 and 64 have experienced tooth decay, making dental care especially important during this stage of life.

The gap between early retirement and Medicare eligibility at age 65 can last anywhere from 2 to 5 years or more, depending on when you retire. During this time, you need to find your own dental coverage. This article explains your options, compares costs, and helps you develop a plan to keep your teeth covered until you reach Medicare age.

The Early Retirement Dental Coverage Gap

When you leave your employer, you typically lose access to the group dental plan that may have covered a significant portion of your dental costs. This creates a gap that needs to be filled. Unlike health insurance, there is no federal requirement for dental coverage for adults, which means you are responsible for finding and paying for your own plan.

The average early retiree faces this gap for 2 to 5 years before becoming eligible for Medicare at age 65. During these years, dental needs tend to increase. Older adults are more likely to need restorative work like crowns, bridges, and root canals. Going without coverage during this period can lead to deferred care, which often results in more expensive treatments later.

Understanding your options is the first step toward maintaining dental coverage throughout your early retirement years.

COBRA Dental Coverage

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) allows you to continue your employer-sponsored dental insurance for up to 18 months after leaving your job, assuming your former employer had 20 or more employees. Some states have mini-COBRA laws that extend similar protections to employees of smaller businesses.

Here is what you need to know about COBRA dental coverage:

• Cost: You pay the full premium, which includes both the employee and employer portions, plus a 2% administrative fee. Dental COBRA typically costs $40 to $70 per month for individual coverage. This is significantly more than what you paid as an employee, since employers typically cover 50% to 80% of the premium.
• Duration: COBRA dental coverage lasts up to 18 months for most qualifying events. If you retired at age 62 or younger, COBRA alone will not bridge the full gap to Medicare.
• No waiting period: Since COBRA is a continuation of your existing plan, there are no new waiting periods for any services. If your old plan covered major services, they are still covered under COBRA.
• Enrollment deadline: You must elect COBRA coverage within 60 days of losing your employer plan. Coverage is retroactive to the date you lost coverage.

COBRA is best suited for early retirees who need major dental work in the near term and want uninterrupted coverage. If you are in good dental health, a less expensive option may make more sense.

ACA Marketplace Dental Plans

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace, accessible at Healthcare.gov or through your state exchange, offers standalone dental plans in addition to health insurance plans. Here is what early retirees should know about marketplace dental options.

• Standalone dental plans: The marketplace offers standalone dental plans in two tiers: low coverage and high coverage. Low-coverage plans have lower premiums but higher cost-sharing. High-coverage plans have higher premiums but cover a greater percentage of dental costs. Annual maximums typically range from $1,000 to $2,000.
• No subsidies for dental: Unlike health insurance, standalone dental plans on the marketplace are not eligible for premium tax credits. You pay the full premium out of pocket.
• Enrollment timing: You can enroll in a marketplace dental plan during the annual open enrollment period, typically November 1 through January 15. Losing employer coverage qualifies you for a Special Enrollment Period, giving you 60 days from the loss of coverage to enroll.
• Waiting periods: Marketplace dental plans may have waiting periods for basic and major services, similar to other standalone dental plans. Check the plan details before enrolling.

Standalone Dental Insurance Plans

Outside of the marketplace, you can purchase standalone dental insurance directly from private insurers. These plans are available year-round and do not require a qualifying event to enroll. For a comparison of the two main types, see our article on DHMO vs. PPO dental insurance.

Here is what to expect from standalone dental plans:

• Monthly premiums: $20 to $60 per month for individual coverage. DHMO plans are typically at the lower end ($8 to $20), while PPO plans with broader networks and no referral requirements are at the higher end ($30 to $60).
• Annual maximums: Most plans have annual maximums between $1,000 and $2,000. Some premium plans offer $3,000 or more.
• Waiting periods: Basic services often have 3 to 6 month waiting periods, and major services have 6 to 12 month waiting periods. Some plans advertise no waiting periods but may offset this with higher premiums or lower coverage percentages.
• Coverage tiers: Preventive services are usually covered at 100%, basic services at 80%, and major services at 50%. These percentages are applied to the plan's allowable amount, not necessarily the dentist's full fee.

Other Coverage Options for Early Retirees

Beyond COBRA, marketplace, and standalone dental plans, early retirees have a few additional options worth considering.

• Spouse's employer plan: If your spouse is still working and has employer-sponsored dental insurance, you may be able to join their plan. Losing your own employer coverage is a qualifying event that allows mid-year enrollment on a spouse's plan.
• Dental discount plans: These are not insurance but membership programs that offer reduced rates at participating dentists. Annual fees run $80 to $200, and discounts range from 15% to 40%. There are no waiting periods, no annual maximums, and no claim forms. They work best for people who need dental care right away and cannot wait through an insurance waiting period.
• Dental savings accounts: If you have a Health Savings Account (HSA) from a previous high-deductible health plan, you can use those funds for dental expenses even if you are no longer contributing. HSA funds roll over indefinitely and can be used tax-free for qualified medical and dental expenses.
• Retiree dental benefits: Some employers, particularly large corporations and government agencies, offer dental benefits to retirees. If your employer offers this, it is often the most cost-effective option since the employer may still subsidize part of the premium. Check with your former employer's HR department.

Cost Comparison: COBRA vs. Standalone vs. Discount Plan

To help you compare your options, here is a side-by-side look at the three most common choices for early retirees.

• COBRA dental: $40 to $70 per month plus 2% admin fee. No waiting period. Same coverage as your old employer plan. Limited to 18 months.
• Standalone dental PPO: $30 to $60 per month. Waiting periods of 6 to 12 months for major services. Annual maximum of $1,000 to $2,000. Available year-round with no time limit.
• Dental discount plan: $80 to $200 per year ($7 to $17 per month). No waiting period. 15% to 40% discount at participating dentists. No annual maximum. Not insurance, so no claims or coverage percentages.

For many early retirees, starting with COBRA for the first 18 months and then transitioning to a standalone dental plan for the remaining years before Medicare is a practical strategy. This approach maintains continuous coverage with no waiting periods during the COBRA period, and the standalone plan's waiting period for major services will have passed by the time COBRA expires if you overlap enrollment.

Planning for the Transition to Medicare

It is important to understand that reaching age 65 and enrolling in Medicare does not automatically solve your dental coverage needs. Original Medicare does not cover routine dental care, including cleanings, fillings, extractions, or dentures. For a full explanation, see our article on whether Medicare covers dental services.

When you turn 65, your dental coverage options change:

• Medicare Advantage with dental: Approximately 98% of Medicare Advantage plans in 2026 include some dental coverage. Many plans offer preventive dental care with no additional premium. Some also cover major services like dentures, crowns, and root canals.
• Standalone dental plan: If you choose Original Medicare with a Medigap supplement, you can continue or purchase a standalone dental plan. Your existing standalone plan can typically continue without interruption.
• Dental discount plan: These can be used alongside any Medicare arrangement and have no age restrictions.

The Bottom Line for Early Retirees

Losing employer dental coverage when you retire early does not mean going without dental care. COBRA provides a bridge for the first 18 months, standalone dental plans offer ongoing coverage, and dental discount plans provide immediate savings without waiting periods. The key is to evaluate your dental health, anticipated needs, and budget to choose the right combination of options. For more on dental options in retirement generally, see our guide to dental insurance for retirees.

Start planning for your dental coverage before your last day of work. If you know your retirement date, you can begin comparing plans and enrolling in advance. This ensures a smooth transition and avoids any gaps in coverage that could leave you exposed to high out-of-pocket costs.