Can you contribute to an HSA if you receive Social Security?

Asked by: Jason Predovic  |  Last update: August 18, 2023
Score: 5/5 (53 votes)

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.

How do HSA contributions affect Social Security benefits?

For contributions that you make to an HSA on a pre-FICA-tax basis (i.e., contributions made as payroll deductions, rather than money going from your checking account into an HSA), yes, they do reduce your Social Security wages for the year.

What disqualifies you from having an HSA?

If you enroll in Social Security you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A, which will disqualify you from contributing to an HSA. You can delay enrollment in Medicare Part A only if you delay taking Social Security. You can delay taking Social Security up until age 70 and one half years old.

Can I contribute to an HSA if I have no income?

Earned income isn't a requirement to save in an HSA, but you do need an eligible high-deductible health insurance policy and you can't be enrolled in Medicare. I'm 58 and retired and buy my own health insurance. Can I contribute to a health savings account even though I don't have any earned income? Yes.

Can I contribute to a HSA after age 65 if I am still working?

If you are not enrolled in Medicare and are otherwise HSA eligible, you can continue to contribute to an HSA after age 65.

Health Savings Accounts Part 6 - Contributing to your HSA - How does Social Security fit in?

40 related questions found

When should I stop contributing to my HSA?

3 times it's okay to stop funding your HSA
  1. Your financial situation has changed. ...
  2. You're getting close to age 65 or you're no longer eligible. ...
  3. You've hit the max contribution limit.

Is there a penalty for HSA contributions while on Medicare?

Your contributions after you're enrolled in Medicare might be considered “excess” by the IRS. Excess contributions will be taxed an additional 6% when you withdraw them. You'll pay back taxes plus an additional 10% tax if you enroll in Medicare during your HSA testing period.

Can I contribute to HSA if I don't have insurance?

While you can use the funds in an HSA at any time to pay for qualified medical expenses, you may contribute to an HSA only if you have a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) — generally a health plan (including a Marketplace plan) that only covers preventive services before the deductible.

What is the maximum amount you can have in an HSA account?

Your contributions to an HSA are limited each year. For 2023, you can contribute up to $3,850 if you have self-only coverage or up to $7,750 for family coverage. For 2022, the limits are $3,650 and $7,300, respectively.

Can I pay health insurance premiums with HSA?

Generally, HSAs cannot be used to pay private health insurance premiums, but there are 2 exceptions: paying for health care coverage purchased through an employer-sponsored plan under COBRA, and paying premiums while receiving unemployment compensation.

Why is my HSA counting as income?

Earnings on amounts in HSAs are not taxable. Distributions from an HSA for qualified medical expenses are not includible in gross income; however, distributions made from an HSA that are used for non-qualified medical expenses are includible in gross income and are subject to an additional tax of 20 percent.

Can my spouse contribute to an HSA if I am 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.

How much can I contribute to my HSA in the year I turn 65?

Your maximum contribution is determined by adjusting the HSA maximum in accordance with how many months of the year that you were eligible. For example, if you turn 65 in April, you were eligible for the first three months of the year. You can then contribute 3/12 of the HSA annual contribution maximum.

How can I contribute to HSA without employer?

Unlike FSAs, which require an employer's sponsorship, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are available to everyone, regardless of employment status. To contribute to an HSA, you must be actively enrolled in a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) and it must be your only health insurance coverage.

What happens if you over contribute to HSA?

Contributing more to your health savings account (HSA) than the IRS limit for the tax year is called an excess contribution. All excess contributions are subject to income tax and a 6% excise tax each year until corrected. For the current annual IRS limits see Section D question #1 of the HSA FAQs.

Why can't Medicare recipients have an HSA?

Can I enroll in an HSA if I am enrolled in Medicare? No. Once you enroll in Medicare Part A and/or B, you can no longer setup or contribute pre-tax dollars to an existing HSA. This is because to contribute pre-tax dollars to an HSA you cannot have any health insurance other than a HDHP.

Does HSA reduce Medicare tax?

Alternatively, HSAs don't affect Medicare premiums, because there are no required distribution of the funds. HSA accountholders, a growing number of which are turning 65 and becoming eligible for Medicare, can use their HSA funds to pay for Medicare premiums tax-free as well.

Can I open a health savings account on my own?

Can I open my own health savings account if my employer doesn't offer one? Yes, you can open a health savings account (HSA) even if your employer doesn't offer one. But you can make current-year contributions only if you are covered by an HSA-qualified health plan, also known as a high-deductible health plan (HDHP).

What is the 6 month rule for Medicare and HSA?

Under current regulations, individuals who apply for Medicare Part A or Part B after reaching age 65 are automatically given six months of retroactive health coverage, which invalidates their ability to make or receive HSA contributions for any of those months they were deemed to be covered.

Do you lose your HSA every year?

HSAs: The basics

What's more, unlike health flexible spending accounts (FSAs), HSAs are not subject to the "use-it-or-lose-it" rule. Funds remain in your account from year to year, and any unused funds may be used to pay for future qualified medical expenses.

Is it better to leave money in HSA?

If you don't spend the money in your account, it will carryover year after year. Your HSA can be used now, next year or even when you're retired. Saving in your HSA can help you plan for health expenses you anticipate in the coming years, such as laser eye surgery, braces for your child, or paying Medicare premiums.

Can you put money in an HSA after retirement?

When retiring early you can continue contributing to an HSA as long as you meet the requirements: You are not yet enrolled in Medicare. You're covered on a high-deductible health plan. You're not someone's tax dependent.

What happens when an HSA holder who is 65 years old decides to use the money in the account?

Once you are 65, you can withdraw funds for any reason without paying a penalty, but they will be subject to ordinary income tax. For any reason, but if you are under age 65 and use your HSA funds for nonqualified expenses, you will need to pay taxes on the money you withdraw, as well as an additional 20% penalty.

How much can a 63 year old contribute to an HSA?

As in prior years, HSA account owners aged 55 and older may contribute an additional $1,000 over the standard annual limit. For 2024, that means account owners with individual coverage may contribute $4,150 plus an additional $1,000, whereas those with family coverage may contribute $8,300 plus $1,000.

How does IRS know about HSA?

However, total withdrawals from your HSA are reported to the IRS on Form 1099-SA. You are responsible for reporting qualified and non-qualified withdrawals when completing your taxes. You are also responsible for saving all receipts as verification of expenses in the case of an IRS audit.