Can my spouse contribute to my HSA if I am on Medicare?
Asked by: Bernhard Beahan | Last update: November 30, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (34 votes)
What is the penalty for contributing to HSA while on Medicare?
If you or any other authorized party, like an employer, make excess contributions to your HSA once you have Medicare, you can be charged a 6% Internal Revenue Service tax penalty on those funds and any interest they accrue until the funds are removed from your account.
Can my spouse put money in my HSA?
Spouses cannot have a joint HSA. Each spouse who wants to contribute to an HSA must open a separate HSA. Dollars cannot be transferred between the HSAs. However, one spouse may use withdrawals from their HSA to pay or reimburse the eligible medical expenses of the other spouse, without penalty.
Can I use my HSA to pay my spouse's Medicare premiums?
Are Medicare premiums an eligible HSA expense? If you are the HSA holder and are age 65 or older, Medicare premiums are a qualified expense. But if you're not 65 or older, Medicare premiums for coverage of the spouse or dependent (who is 65 or older) generally aren't qualified expenses.
Why do I have to stop HSA contributions 6 months before Medicare?
To avoid a tax penalty, you should stop contributing to your HSA at least 6 months before you apply for Medicare. You can withdraw money from your HSA after you enroll in Medicare to help pay for medical expenses (like deductibles, premiums, coinsurance or copayments).
Can I still contribute to an HSA while on Medicare?
Can I contribute to HSA if my spouse is on Medicare?
Yes, being eligible to contribute to the HSA is determined by the status of the HSA account holder not the dependents of the account holder. Your spouse being on Medicare does not disqualify you from continuing contributions to the HSA up to the family limit, even if they are also covered by the HDHP.
What is the 6 month rule for Medicare?
You can sign up for Part A any time after you turn 65. Your Part A coverage starts 6 months back from when you sign up or when you apply for benefits from Social Security (or the Railroad Retirement Board). Coverage can't start earlier than the month you turned 65.
What happens if I contribute to my HSA after age 65?
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.
At what point should I stop contributing to my HSA?
Once you turn 65, you can use the money in your HSA for anything you want. If you don't use it for qualified medical expenses, it counts as income when you file your taxes. Six months before you retire or get Medicare benefits, you must stop contributing to your HSA.
Can I use my HSA to pay health insurance premiums if I retire early?
If you pay for your medical expenses out of pocket now, you'll have more saved in your HSA account to help pay for medical expenses once you retire. If you retire before age 65 and you aren't yet eligible for Medicare, you can use money in your HSA to pay your medical coverage premiums.
Can my wife use my HSA if she's not on my insurance?
Yes, as long as you use the funds to pay for qualified medical expenses, you can pay for any family member who is a tax dependent on your tax return.
Can I use my HSA for glasses?
Both FSA and HSA pre-tax health accounts can be used to pay for prescription glasses, contact lenses, eye exams and more. Eyewear that corrects your vision is considered a medical product, which means you can use your health plans to help cover the cost.
What disqualifies you from contributing to an HSA?
If you can receive benefits before that deductible is met, you aren't an eligible individual. Other employee health plans. An employee covered by an HDHP and a health FSA or an HRA that pays or reimburses qualified medical expenses can't generally make contributions to an HSA. FSAs and HRAs are discussed later.
Can HSA be used for Medicare Part G premiums?
You can still use the existing funds in your HSA account to pay for qualified medical expenses, including Medicare premiums and out-of-pocket costs. Also, keep in mind that Social Security benefits are taxable, while withdrawals funds from your HSA to pay for Medicare premiums will be tax-free.
How much should I have in my HSA at retirement?
The amount of money you should have in your HSA during retirement depends on your healthcare needs and circumstances. According to the Fidelity Retiree Health Care Cost Estimate, a single person who is age 65 in 2023 should aim to have about $157,000 saved (after tax) for healthcare expenses during retirement.
What happens if you contribute to an HSA while on Medicare?
What are the consequences of contributing funds to my HSA while enrolled in Medicare? Medicare beneficiaries who continue to contribute funds to a HSA may face IRS penalties including payment of back taxes on their tax-free contributions and account interest, excise taxes and additional income taxes.
At what age can you no longer contribute to an HSA?
If you work beyond age 65 and defer Medicare, however, you will need to stop contributing to your HSA six months prior to receiving Social Security. Once you begin drawing Social Security after your full retirement age, you are required to have Medicare coverage and can no longer contribute to an HSA.
What is the 6 month rule for Medicare and HSA?
If you have a Health Savings Account (HSA), you and your employer should stop contributing to your HSA 6 months before you retire or apply for benefits from Social Security (or the Railroad Retirement Board). This will ensure you avoid a tax penalty.
When to stop HSA contributions before enrolling in Medicare?
If you do not stop HSA contributions at least six months before Medicare enrollment, you may incur a tax penalty.
Can I use HSA for dental?
Your HSA also covers expenses for standard dental cleanings and dental check-ups. One thing to keep in mind is that some of these procedures may have a co-payment, so it's important that you check with your dental insurance provider to find out exactly what you'll have to pay out of pocket.
Does it make sense to contribute to HSA after retirement?
Post-Retirement Contributions
Someone who wants to keep making contributions after retirement can do so by either not enrolling in Medicare or by withdrawing from the program. While rare, both are options. However, it is unlikely that this would make sense financially.
What is the 2 2 2 rule in Medicare?
Introduced in the Fiscal Year 2014 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) Final Rule, the two-midnight rule specifies that Medicare will pay for inpatient hospital admissions when a physician reasonably expects the patient's care to require a stay that crosses two midnights, and the medical record supports this ...
Does everyone have to pay $170 a month for Medicare?
Most people pay no premiums for Part A. For Medicare Part B in 2025, most beneficiaries will pay $185 per month. Certain factors may require you to pay more or less than the standard Medicare Part B premium in 2025.
Can I drop my employer health insurance and go on Medicare Part B?
You can use an SEP to enroll in Medicare Part B while you're still in a group health plan based on current employment. Also, if your employment ends or employer- provided medical coverage ends, you have eight months from that month (whichever comes first) to sign up for Medicare Part B.