FAQS - Investing Your Health Savings Account Funds (2024)

FAQs

FAQS - Investing Your Health Savings Account Funds? ›

The main downside of an HSA is that you must have a high-deductible health insurance plan to get one. A health insurance deductible is the amount of money you must pay out of pocket each year before your insurance plan benefits begin.

The main downside of an HSA is that you must have a high-deductible health insurance plan to get one. A health insurance deductible is the amount of money you must pay out of pocket each year before your insurance plan benefits begin.

HSAs are triple tax advantaged, making them an effective savings and investment account: Withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are income tax-free. All contributions to an HSA are income tax-free. And, any interest earnings and investment growth from deposits are income tax-free.

The specific date to stop your HSA contributions will depend on when you apply for Medicare. Once you apply for Medicare, you can no longer receive new HSA deposits from your employer. However, you can use your existing HSA funds to pay for Medicare costs even after you enroll.

tax-free earnings Any investment earnings in your HSA account grow tax-free, including dividends, interest and capital growth. tax-free distributions An HSA enables you to make tax-free payments for qualified medical expenses, including some that are not typically covered by insurance or Medicare.

Annual expenses to be paid with HSA savings: $2,000. Federal income tax rate or bracket: 25% State income tax rate: 0% Interest rate or average annual rate of return: 2.5%

Once you're 65, your HSA is treated like a traditional IRA if you withdraw money for non-medical expenses. A traditional IRA is a retirement account in which the contributions and gains are tax-free, but withdrawals are subject to income tax.

The short answer: As much as you're able to (within IRS contribution limits), if that's financially viable. If you're covered by an HSA-eligible health plan (or high-deductible health plan), the IRS allows you to put as much as $3,850 per year (in 2022) into your health savings account (HSA).

There's an easy solution right in front of us: the health savings account (HSA). In fact, the HSA is superior to a 401(k) when it comes to saving for retirement. HSAs have all the same advantages of a 401(k) — and more. Just like with a 401(k), you can contribute to an HSA until Medicare coverage starts.

How to grow money in HSA? ›

You can also use HSAs to help pay for dental care. While dental insurance can help cover costs, an HSA can also help cover any out-of-pocket expenses resulting from dental care and procedures.

Max out your contributions if you can

If you're able, consider contributing the maximum allowed by the IRS. The more you can contribute, the more you can benefit from the HSA's potential triple tax advantages¹. Keep in mind: you don't lose any unspent funds at the end of the year.

The money you contribute to an HSA has no “expiration date.” You can withdraw funds you need to pay for everyday out-of-pocket health care expenses or save them for care you may need years down the road.

If you are not enrolled in Medicare and are otherwise HSA eligible, you can continue to contribute to an HSA after age 65. You are also allowed to contribute the $1,000 catch-up. If you signed up for Medicare Part A and now want to decline it, you can do so by contacting the Social Security Administration.

You can use HSA funds to pay for deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and other qualified medical expenses. Withdrawals to pay eligible medical expenses are tax-free. Unspent HSA funds roll over from year to year, allowing you to build tax-free savings to pay for medical care later.

Tax reporting is required if you have a Health Savings Account (HSA). You may be required to complete IRS Form 8889. HSA Bank provides you with the information and resources to assist you in completing IRS Form 8889 regarding your HSA.

For retirees over age 65 who have employer-sponsored health coverage, an HSA can be used to pay your share of those costs as well.

Yes, and tax-free. HSA accounts calculate, compound, and credit interest monthly based on the applicable rate for different tiers of the account balance.

Online Transfers – On HSA Bank's member website, you can reimburse yourself for out-of-pocket expenses by making a one-time or reoccurring online transfer from your HSA to your personal checking or savings account.

How much savings does the average person have in an HSA? ›

The average HSA balance rose from $2,645 at the beginning of 2021 to $3,902 by the end of the year, the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit independent research organization found in its analysis of its HSA database, which had information on 13.1 million HSAs in 2021.

Generally, the IRS penalty equals 6 percent of your excess contributions. For example, if you have a $100 excess contribution, your fine would be $6.00. If you contributed $1,000 over, it would be $60. This penalty is called an “excise tax,” and applies to each tax year the excess contribution remains in your account.

Use HSA funds to pay for emergency medical costs.

A better option is to pay with other funds and keep track of expenses. Medical claims never expire, so money can be withdrawn tax-free in retirement in order to reimburse medical expenses that were paid out-of-pocket years before.

Unlike other types of tax-advantaged retirement accounts, HSA contributions and investment earnings are never taxed, provided you follow the rules when withdrawing from the account. That means you avoid paying income tax on your withdrawals, which, at current rates, is at least 10%.

HSAs and Roth IRAs are both tax-advantaged accounts. The IRS sets a limit on how much you can contribute to both each year. As we said above, HSA may be a better option to max out first since it offers potentially more savings power.

Using an HSA and a 401k together

First off, most experts would recommend maxing out HSA contributions before maxing out 401(k) contributions because of the tax advantages that come with the HSA. There's no minimum age for HSA fund distributions, so when you need it to spend money on health care, it's got your back.

Yes! You can definitely use funds from your flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) to purchase prescription glasses.

According to the IRS, you cannot use your HSA to pay for vitamins or supplements that are taken for general health. However, you can use your HSA to pay for vitamins or supplements that have been recommended by a health professional to treat or prevent a specific condition.

So if a dentist diagnoses a health issue, like gingivitis, and recommends a quip Electric Toothbrush or Rechargeable Water Flosser to help, you may be able to pay for it using your FSA, HSA, or HRA.

This is because according to the IRS, fitness trackers are used to promote what the IRS terms “general health”. Expenses under this general health definition are not considered HSA eligible expenses.

Can I use my HSA at Walmart? ›

Walmart. Browse products that you can purchase online or in store using your HSA or FSA card.

Using an HSA instead of an IRA for medical expenses is preferred when you are collecting Social Security benefits. Not only is the use of the HSA funds tax free, it also has no impact on your provisional income.

If you're 65 or older, retired and on Medicare, you're no longer eligible to contribute to the HSA, but can continue to use the funds for qualified medical expenses. If you're 65 or older, you're not limited to using an HSA just for health care expenses.

HSA funds can't be rolled over into an IRA account. There's also no reason to do so, because you preserve your right to use the funds tax-free for medical costs at any time with an HSA.

Generally, the IRS penalty equals 6 percent of your excess contributions. For example, if you have a $100 excess contribution, your fine would be $6.00. If you contributed $1,000 over, it would be $60. This penalty is called an “excise tax,” and applies to each tax year the excess contribution remains in your account.

Putting too much money in your HSA can happen, but the IRS isn't happy when it happens. In fact, you'll be penalized for it unless you catch it and fix it.

Yes, and tax-free. HSA accounts calculate, compound, and credit interest monthly based on the applicable rate for different tiers of the account balance.

Age 65 General Distributions

At age 65, you can take penalty-free distributions from the HSA for any reason. However, in order to be both tax-free and penalty-free the distribution must be for a qualified medical expense. Withdrawals made for other purposes will be subject to ordinary income taxes.

Pay for other expenses Once you hit 65, you can use your HSA to pay for any nonqualified medical expenses (including buying a boat, for example), but you don't get to take full advantage of the tax savings as you will be required to pay state and federal taxes on those distributions.

The short answer: As much as you're able to (within IRS contribution limits), if that's financially viable. If you're covered by an HSA-eligible health plan (or high-deductible health plan), the IRS allows you to put as much as $3,650 per year (in 2022) into your health savings account (HSA).

Why is my HSA being taxed? ›

Health savings accounts (HSAs)

Use HSA money for medical reasons, though. If you're under 65 and use the funds for other purposes, that money becomes taxable income, and you could face an additional 20% tax on the nonmedical use of HSA money.

Under the last-month rule, you are considered to be an eligible individual for the entire year if you are an eligible individual on the first day of the last month of your tax year (December 1 for most taxpayers).

You can also use HSAs to help pay for dental care. While dental insurance can help cover costs, an HSA can also help cover any out-of-pocket expenses resulting from dental care and procedures.

These fees can really add up, but they can also often be avoided: Sign up for online statements. Use your debit card instead of ordering checks, or transfer money online to your checking account and use it to pay your provider. Keep track of your HSA balance and don't overdraw your account.