How much should you invest in HSA?
How Much Should You Contribute to an HSA? Now, just like with a 401(k) or an IRA, there's a limit to how much money you can put into an HSA each year. For 2019, the most you can contribute to an HSA is $3,500 for individuals and $7,000 for families.
2021 HSA contribution limits have been announced
An individual with coverage under a qualifying high-deductible health plan (deductible not less than $1,400) can contribute up to $3,600 — up $50 from 2020 — for the year to their HSA. The maximum out-of-pocket has been capped at $7,000.
Here's where the guesswork comes in: Think about your medical history and your family's history of longevity. Use that information to choose an HSA savings goal. The number should be between $150,000 and $1 million if estimating for you and a spouse. Adjust down if you're estimating for yourself only.
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IRS Announces 2021 Limits for HSAs and High-Deductible Health Plans.
| 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|
| Out-of-pocket limits for HSA-qualified HDHPs (IRS) | Self-only: $7,000 Family: $14,000 | Self-only: $6,900 Family: $13,800 |
Maximum contribution amounts for 2022 are $3,650 for self-only and $7,300 for families. The annual “catch-up” contribution amount for individuals age 55 or older will remain $1,000. Consumers can contribute up to the annual maximum amount as determined by the IRS.
HSA contributions in excess of the IRS annual contribution limits ($3,600 for individual coverage and $7,200 for family coverage for 2021) are not tax deductible and are generally subject to a 6% excise tax.
This protects you and your family against high medical expenses. The out-of-pocket maximum represents the total amount of money you would be required to spend on medical services in a given year. The out-of-pocket maximum includes your deductible and any coinsurance and/or prescription copays you may need to pay.
The annual limit for those with self-only coverage is $3,650, an increase of $50 from 2021. For those with family coverage, the 2022 annual limit is $7,300, up $100 from the previous year. The limit on catch up contributions for people age 55 and older stays at $1,000 over the annual limit.
A health savings account (HSA) is an account specifically designed for paying health care costs. The tax benefits are so good that some financial planners advise maxing out your HSA before you contribute to an IRA.
According to the report, families have an average HSA balance of about $7,500 compared to $4,300 for individuals. For those who invest, families have an average investment balance of about $12,000 compared to just under $7,000 for individuals.
How much should I have in HSA at retirement?
According to the Fidelity Retiree Health Care Cost Estimate, an average retired couple age 65 in 2021 may need approximately $300,000 saved (after tax) to cover health care expenses in retirement.
HSA - You can use your HSA to pay for eligible health care, dental, and vision expenses for yourself, your spouse, or eligible dependents (children, siblings, parents, and others who are considered an exemption under Section 152 of the tax code).
3 for details. Thus, you may contribute to your 2021 HSA through April 18, 2022, April 19, 2022 (if you live in Maine or Massachusetts), or some other date (if you served in a designated combat zone or contingency operation).
The IRS treats married couples as a single tax unit, which means they must share one family HSA contribution limit of $7,200, or $7,300 in 2022. If both spouses have self-only coverage, each spouse may contribute up to $3,600, or $3,650 in 2022, each year in separate accounts.
There's still time to make HSA contributions for the 2021 tax year. The last day to make HSA contributions is usually the tax-filing deadline of the following year. That means you can make 2021 HSA contributions until April 15, 2022. You can contribute up to $3,600 for self-coverage and $7,200 for family coverage.
If you don't have what you would consider to be significant medical expenses, you should take advantage of the HSA as a retirement account, which will allow you to fund your health care costs later in life. This means paying for health expenses out of pocket today, and then saving your HSA contributions each year.
Unlike other types of medical spending accounts, HSAs are not subject to the “use-it-or-lose-it” provision that would cause you to forfeit any unused funds by the end of the year. And, as a portable account, the HSA remains yours even if employment changes.
According to the Fidelity Retiree Health Care Cost Estimate, an average retired couple age 65 in 2021 may need approximately $300,000 saved (after tax) to cover health care expenses in retirement.
If you're generally healthy and you want to save for future health care expenses, an HSA may be an attractive choice. Or if you're near retirement, an HSA may make sense because the money can be used to offset the costs of medical care after retirement.
