I get health insurance subsidies from Covered California. It's supposed to be based on one's adjusted gross income. This seems strange that it wouldn't be based off capital gains. What happens if I cash $5,000 out of a variable annuity in 2024, then invest the proceeds into some stock or bond funds (or even a CD) for a few months, then cash out $5,000 again in 2024. Would that increase my capital gains by $10,000 instead of $5,000, and thus reduce my Covered California benefits? If so, it would be better to sit in cash, or wait until right when I actually need the money around the end of the year. This variable annuity is of course expensive, but if my health insurance benefits are significantly reduced, it would be best to just keep the money in the annuity until the end of the year.