Can I use COBRA to bridge health coverage right after I quit my job to retire early?

Yes, COBRA lets you keep your former employer's group health plan for up to 18 months (sometimes longer in specific situations) after you leave. The benefit is continuity: same doctors, same network, same coverage with no gap. The drawback is cost, because you pay the entire premium plus a small administrative fee with no employer contribution, which often means several hundred to well over a thousand dollars a month. For a short bridge of a few months, COBRA can be worth the simplicity. For a multi-year gap until Medicare, an ACA marketplace plan is usually far cheaper, especially once premium tax credits are factored in. One tactic: compare a low COBRA-covered stub period against enrolling in an ACA plan during a special enrollment period triggered by losing job coverage. The Department of Labor oversees COBRA rules.