Can a health savings account be used as a retirement account?

Asked by: Mr. Joany Weissnat DDS  |  Last update: October 17, 2023
Score: 5/5 (68 votes)

If you're looking to maximize your retirement savings, using your Health Savings Account (HSA) could be a wise choice. Not only can HSAs help pay for current medical expenses, but they can also be utilized as a supplementary retirement plan, similar to traditional options like 401(k)s or IRAs.

What expenses can you use an HSA for in retirement?

FAQ: HSA in retirement and Medicare
  • Premiums for Medicare Parts B, D and Medicare Part C.
  • Medicare deductibles, co-pays and co-insurance.
  • Dental and vision expenses.
  • Hearing aids.
  • Insulin and diabetic supplies.
  • Long-term care insurance premiums (eligible amount will vary by age)

Can you use HSA funds after age 65?

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.

Which type of account can be used as a retirement savings account?

Employer plans, IRAs, and taxable accounts can all be used for retirement saving.

Is a health savings account considered an IRA?

After age 65, your HSA now works just like a traditional IRA. There are no penalties for withdrawing the money in your account - you will just pay ordinary income tax on the money. As such, you can leverage your HSA, along with other retirement accounts, to achieve tax diversification in retirement.

How Do I Use My HSA As A Retirement Account?

17 related questions found

How do I use my HSA as an IRA?

You can use the HSA money just like funds in your IRA or 401(k) after you reach age 65 if you don't need the funds. You'll pay taxes on withdrawals that aren't used for medical reasons, however, just as you would if you were to withdraw money from an IRA.

Can I convert my HSA to an IRA?

No, there's no way to convert an HSA to an IRA. And there's really no advantage to doing it, anyways. Both IRAs and HSAs allow you to deposit money into them before taxes. Your total yearly contributions to either type of account are deducted from your income before the taxable amount is computed.

What qualifies as a retirement account?

Examples of defined contribution plans include 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, employee stock ownership plans, and profit-sharing plans. A Simplified Employee Pension Plan (SEP) is a relatively uncomplicated retirement savings vehicle.

What are the two most common Retirement accounts?

Simple IRA and Simple 401(k)

What age can I cash out my HSA?

After you reach age 65 or if you become disabled, you can withdraw HSA funds without penalty, but the amounts withdrawn will be taxable as ordinary income if not used for qualified medical expenses.

Can you withdraw from HSA for non medical?

If you need to make a withdrawal from your HSA for something other than a qualified medical expense, there's a penalty to consider. Any HSA withdrawal you make without a qualified medical expense will be subject to income taxes. In addition to the income tax, you'll have to pay an additional 20% tax on the withdrawal.

At what age can you no longer have an HSA?

At age 65, most Americans lose HSA eligibility because they begin Medicare. Final Year's Contribution is Pro-Rata. You can make an HSA contribution after you turn 65 and enroll in Medicare, if you have not maximized your contribution for your last year of HSA eligibility.

Can I use my HSA for anything I want?

The funds in an HSA can be used for general non-medical purposes, without penalty, once the employee reaches age 65. However, any withdrawn funds used for non-medical purposes are still subject to income tax. If HSA funds are withdrawn for non-medical use before age 65, some penalties apply.

What can an HSA not be used for?

Generally, you can't use your HSA to pay for expenses that don't meaningfully promote the proper function of the body or prevent or treat illness or disease. Nutritional supplements and weight loss programs not prescribed by a physician are examples of expenses that would not be covered by your HSA.

Can I contribute to an HSA while on Social Security?

If you have applied for or are receiving Social Security benefits, which automatically entitle you to Part A, you cannot continue to contribute to your HSA.

Where is the safest place to put your retirement money?

U.S Treasury securities are considered the safest investment option, as they are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S government. These investments come in several forms such as savings bonds, treasury notes, treasury bills, and more,” Chavez said.

What is the single biggest expense in retirement?

Housing is likely to be your biggest cost in retirement. According to Gary Grewal, certified financial planner and author of “Financial Fives,” there are several housing-related expenses you should incorporate into your retirement budget, including property taxes and home repairs.

How much money does a person need to retire comfortably in the United States?

“For example, if you make $150,000 per year, you should aim to have at least $120,000 per year in retirement to live comfortably in your golden years,” says Sexton.

What is the 4 rule for retirement savings?

The rule works just like it sounds: Limit annual withdrawals from your retirement accounts to 4% of the total balance in any given year. This means that if you retire with $1 million saved, you'd take out $40,000 the first year. Even so, you'd also adjust this amount annually for inflation.

How to retire in 5 years with no savings?

How You Can Retire in 5 Years Even Without Savings
  1. Make a Plan. First, you'll need to do some in-depth analysis of your spending, future costs and the steps you'll need to take in the next five years. ...
  2. Cut Costs. ...
  3. Pay Off or Refinance Debt. ...
  4. Save and Invest. ...
  5. Enlist an Expert. ...
  6. Bottom Line. ...
  7. Retirement Planning Tips.

How much money can you have in the bank when you retire?

The Final Multiple: 10-12 times your annual income at retirement age. If you plan to retire at 67, for instance, and your income is $150,000 per year, then you should have between $1.5 and $1.8 million set aside for retirement.

Is it better to put money in HSA or IRA?

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.

Can you roll an HSA into a 401k?

You cannot roll over HSA funds into a 401(k). You also cannot roll over 401(k) money into an HSA.

Is an HSA better than an IRA?

An HSA also allows you more flexibility because you take withdrawals now (for qualified medical expenses) and during retirement. Roth IRAs offer tax-free growth. However, the contributions are taxable. But you can take out your contributions anytime without taxes or penalties.