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Q&A: Health savings accounts offer big tax benefits. The trick is knowing when to use the funds

September 16, 2024 By Liz Weston

Dear Liz: My retirement account covers all my expenses, including medical. I also have $60,000 in a health savings account that is invested in a mutual fund. I’m struggling with how to use that. I could use it for all current medical costs, or just for unexpected big ones. Or I could keep the HSA as backup in hopes of leaving it to my heirs. All options seem to have advantages, and I’m stuck. Your thoughts?

Answer: HSAs offer a rare triple tax benefit: Contributions are deductible, the money grows tax deferred and withdrawals can be tax free if there are qualifying medical expenses.

If anyone other than your spouse inherits the HSA, however, it basically stops being an HSA. The account becomes taxable to the beneficiary in the year you die, which means the HSA loses one of its three tax breaks.

Inheriting an account that’s taxable is probably better than no inheritance at all. But generally it’s better to use the HSA yourself or leave it to a spouse and designate other money for heirs.

Trying to figure out the optimum rate of spending this money is obviously tricky. The longer you leave it alone, the more it can grow. But the longer you live without spending it, the greater the risk you’ll die without taking advantage of those tax-free withdrawals.

If you’re reluctant to tap the HSA, give yourself the option of “deathbed drawdown.” By keeping good records, you may be able to empty the account at the last minute and avoid taxes.

As you may know, you don’t have to incur a qualified medical expense in the same year you take an HSA withdrawal for the distribution to be tax free. As long as the expense is incurred after the HSA is established and before you die, it can justify a tax-free withdrawal, as long as the expense wasn’t reimbursed — paid by insurance or used for a previous HSA withdrawal. So keep careful records of all the medical expenses that you pay out of pocket. If you get a bad diagnosis or your health starts to deteriorate, you can use those receipts to justify a tax-free withdrawal.

Filed Under: Banking, Investing, Q&A, Retirement, Retirement Savings, Taxes Tagged With: deathbed drawdown, health savings account, HSA, HSAs

Q&A: Health savings account rules

October 10, 2022 By Liz Weston

Dear Liz: I established a health savings account when I was self-employed using an HSA-compliant healthcare plan. Now I am employed. My employer does not offer a health plan that was designated as an HSA, but my deductible is $7,000, higher than the minimum for an individual. Can I continue to contribute to my existing HSA?

Answer: Unfortunately, no. To contribute to an HSA, you must be covered by an HSA-compliant high-deductible healthcare plan, and you may not be covered by other health insurance, including Medicare.

HSAs were created as a way to encourage people to choose high-deductible health insurance plans, but many people use them as an additional way to save for retirement. HSAs have a rare triple tax break: contributions are pretax, the account can grow tax deferred and withdrawals are tax free if used to pay qualifying healthcare expenses.

Unlike flexible spending accounts, which are “use it or lose it,” HSAs allow people to roll unused balances over from year to year. Plus, balances can be invested for long-term growth. Many people value these tax advantages so highly that they pay medical expenses out of pocket, leaving their HSA balances to grow for the future.

But HSA-compliant health insurance policies must meet certain criteria, including a minimum deductible of $1,400 for individuals and $2,800 for families for 2022. (The average deductible in 2021 was $2,349 for individuals and $5,217 for families, according to KFF, the healthcare research organization formerly known as the Kaiser Family Foundation.) The maximum out-of-pocket limit — including deductibles and co-pays, but not premiums — is $7,050 for individuals or $14,100 for families in 2022.

As you can see, you’ve wound up with the worst of both worlds: a very high deductible with no option to save in an HSA. Perhaps your employer is compensating you so handsomely in other areas that you can overlook this deficit in your benefits. If not, it might be time to look for an employer who can offer more.

Filed Under: Q&A Tagged With: health savings account, HSA

Monday’s need-to-know money news

March 21, 2022 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: How a home improvement fund can upgrade your new house to a home. Also in the news: Single-income couples, and when to use your FSA and HSA, and how rising inflation could mean your home is underinsured.

How a Home Improvement Fund Can Upgrade Your New House to a Home
A home improvement fund can help you be ready for repairs and updates after you buy.

Smart Money Podcast: Single-Income Couples, and When to Use Your FSA and HSA
Moving from two incomes to one is a financial challenge but can offer couples a chance to build their relationship.

Rising Inflation Could Mean Your Home Is Underinsured
Rising construction costs could leave many homeowners without enough insurance. Here’s how to know you have sufficient coverage to rebuild should the worst happen.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: FSA, home improvement fund, HSA, inflation, single-income couples

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

June 24, 2021 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: How to harness your HSA’s superpowers. Also in the news: A scam alerts on the Child Tax Credit, how to avoid costly home selling mistakes, and in a hot used-car market, used electric cars can be a deal.

How to Harness Your HSA’s Superpowers
A health savings account can help you supercharge your savings with big tax advantages for you and your kids.

Scam Alert: Child Tax Credit Is Automatic; No Need to Apply
The IRS won’t call, text or email you so beware of unsolicited communications.

The Property Line: Avoid These Costly Home Selling Mistakes
Here’s how to avoid home selling mistakes that could slow the process, cause frustration and cost you money.

In This Hot Used Car Market, Used Plug-Ins Can Be a Deal
With used car prices up dramatically and gas prices peaking, older plug-in vehicles might be a good deal for some.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: child tax credit, electric cars, health savings account, home selling mistakes, HSA, scam alert, tips

Friday’s need-to-know money news

June 12, 2020 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: How to stand out in a tough job market. Also in the news: 3 ways to skip your bank’s long phone lines, how a temporary relocation during the pandemic may affect your taxes, and new HSA rules.

How to Stand Out in a Tough Job Market
A message for the Class of 2020.

3 Ways to Skip Your Bank’s Long Phone Lines
Don’t sit on hold forever.

How Will a Temporary Relocation During the Pandemic Affect Your Taxes?
You may be required to file twice.

New HSA Account Rules
New rules make HSAs even more valuable.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: banking, class of 2020, health savings account, HSA, job hunting, pandemic, relocation, resumes, Taxes, tips

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

May 21, 2020 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: Should seniors consider a reverse mortgage now? Also in the news: Make the most of these store cards during a crisis, financial experts say a recession could be looming, and why you should think of your HSA as an extension of your emergency fund.

Should Seniors Consider a Reverse Mortgage Now?
Reverse mortgages offer tax-free cash for home equity, but understand how they work and explore alternatives.

Make the Most of These Store Cards During a Crisis
Some of the best cards to optimize your budget.

Financial experts say a recession could be looming; here’s how you can prepare
Be proactive.

Think of Your HSA as an Extension of Your Emergency Fund
Your contributions can increase in 2021.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: emergency fund, health savings account, HSA, recession, reverse mortgage, store credit cards, tips

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