Can you use HSA funds for anything after age 65?

Asked by: Dr. Lawrence Nitzsche  |  Last update: July 24, 2023
Score: 5/5 (53 votes)

At age 65, you can withdraw your HSA funds for non-qualified expenses at any time although they are subject to regular income tax. You can avoid paying taxes by continuing to use the funds for qualified medical expenses.

What can you use HSA for after 65?

Your HSA as a retirement account

By using your HSA funds after age 65 for medical expenses, Medicare premiums, or long-term care expenses/insurance, you can continue to avoid taxes altogether. Once you turn 65, you can also choose to treat your HSA like a retirement account!

When can I use my HSA funds for anything?

Unused HSA funds roll over year to year; there is no "use it or lose it" penalty. Funds that are rolled over continue to grow and earnings are tax free. At age 65, you will have the ability to use your HSA funds for any purpose on a taxable basis.

Can HSA be used for insurance premiums after retirement?

Plan to use your HSA in retirement

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.

What happens to unused HSA funds at retirement?

If you're 65 or older, retired and on Medicare, you're no longer eligible to contribute to the HSA, but can continue to use the funds for qualified medical expenses. If you're 65 or older, you're not limited to using an HSA just for health care expenses.

Medicare’s Tricky Rules on HSAs After Age 65

27 related questions found

Can an HSA be converted to an IRA?

HSA funds can't be rolled over into an IRA account. There's also no reason to do so, because you preserve your right to use the funds tax-free for medical costs at any time with an HSA.

How do I withdraw my HSA tax-free?

You can submit a withdrawal request form to receive funds (cash) from your HSA. If the cash is used to pay for ineligible purchases, it must be reported when you're filing your taxes. Once it's reported, it's subject to an income tax and treated as though it had never been in your tax-free HSA.

Can you use HSA to pay dental premiums?

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).

Do you lose your HSA money at the end of the year?

No. HSA money is yours to keep. Unlike a flexible spending account (FSA), unused money in your HSA isn't forfeited at the end of the year; it continues to grow, tax-deferred.

Can I use HSA to pay Medicare premiums?

Once you reach age 65, you have more options for using your HSA funds. For example, you may use your funds, free of tax and penalty, for qualified medical expenses as well as to pay for Medicare Parts A, B, D premiums and Medicare HMO premiums.

Can you transfer HSA funds to bank account?

Online Transfer – On HSA Bank's Member Website, you can transfer funds from your HSA to an external bank account, such as a personal checking or savings account. There is a daily transfer limit of $2,500 to safeguard against fraudulent activity.

When can I use HSA funds for non medical?

The funds in an HSA can be used for general non-medical purposes, without penalty, once the employee reaches age 65. Any withdrawn funds used for non-medical purposes are still subject to income taxes.

Can you have Social Security and HSA?

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.

Can I buy groceries with my HSA card?

No, you can't use your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) for straight food purchases like meat, produce and dairy. But you can use them for some nutrition-related products and services. To review, tax-advantaged accounts have regulatory restrictions on eligible products and services.

Do you pay Social Security taxes on HSA?

A Health Savings Account allows you to build up pretax savings for medical expenses. You still must pay Social Security taxes on HSA contributions, with the exception of Section 125 "cafeteria" plans, which allow employees to pay insurance premiums pretax and can also be modified to allow HSA contributions.

Can I roll my HSA into a 401k?

Can I roll over my HSA to a 401(k)? You cannot roll over HSA funds into a 401(k). You also cannot roll over 401(k) money into an HSA.

Can I buy vitamins with HSA?

Generally, weight-loss supplements, nutritional supplements, and vitamins are used for general health and are not qualified HSA expenses. HSA owners usually cannot include the cost of diet food or beverages in medical expenses because these substitute for what is normally consumed to satisfy nutritional needs.

Can I buy toothpaste with HSA?

Toothpaste is not eligible for reimbursement with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), limited-purpose flexible spending account (LPFSA) or a dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA).

Is toilet paper HSA eligible?

On the counterpoint, let's take a quick look at some of the expenses that don't qualify for payment out of your HSA, even during the coronavirus pandemic: Babysitting and childcare costs for a normal, healthy child. Medicines and drugs from other countries. Personal care items like toilet paper and soap.

What happens to my HSA account when I go on Medicare?

Once you enroll in Medicare, you're no longer eligible to contribute funds to an HSA. However, you can use existing money in an HSA to pay for some Medicare costs. You'll receive a tax penalty on any money you contribute to an HSA once you enroll in Medicare.

What can I roll my HSA into?

HSA Rollover

The IRS allows each HSA account holder to “roll over” their funds to a new HSA provider every 12 months and maintain the tax-advantaged status of the HSA. If you request a “rollover,” the HSA custodian will send the funds to you via check or transfer to your personal bank account (not your HSA).

Should you always max out HSA?

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.

When should I stop HSA contributions before Medicare?

The takeaway here is that you should delay Social Security benefits and decline Part A if you wish to continue contributing funds to your HSA. Finally, if you decide to delay enrolling in Medicare, make sure to stop contributing to your HSA at least six months before you do plan to enroll in Medicare.

Can I use my HSA to pay my spouse's Medicare premiums?

No. If you are the HSA owner and your spouse turns 65 before you, the funds in it cannot be used for your spouse's Medicare premiums.

Can I use my HSA for massage?

Massages with a doctor's note of necessity

In a case like this, accountholders can use their HSA to pay for the massage. For you to use your HSA to pay for the massage, you must provide a letter of medical necessity from your doctor that therapeutic message is really needed.