Can you withdraw from HSA for non medical expenses after age 65?
Asked by: Maudie Nitzsche | Last update: November 10, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (8 votes)
Can I use my HSA for non-medical expenses after age 65?
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.
Can you take money out of HSA for non-medical?
You can withdraw money at any time if it's used for qualified medical expenses. However, if you withdraw money for other purposes, your withdrawal will be subject to income tax (if the contribution was pre-tax) and a 20% penalty.
Can I withdraw money from my HSA after age 65?
One benefit of the HSA is that after you turn age 65, you can withdraw money from your HSA for any reason without incurring a tax penalty. You are, however, subject to normal income tax on any non-qualified withdrawals.
What is the tax rate for HSA withdrawal after 65?
If you withdraw money from your HSA for something other than qualified medical expenses before you turn 65, you have to pay income tax plus a 20% penalty. But after you turn 65, that 20% penalty no longer applies and you only pay income tax!
Health Savings Account (HSA) Withdrawal After Age 65 in Retirement - Tax Free!
What happens if I accidentally use my HSA card for non-medical expenses?
You can repay the incorrect distribution before filing your federal taxes for that tax year. However, if you do not correct the mistake, the unqualified amount will be subject to income tax, and you may also face an additional 20% tax penalty.
Can I use my HSA for Medicare premiums?
The good news: You can keep using your HSA funds
You can even use your HSA to pay for some Medicare expenses including your Medicare Part B, Part D and Medicare Advantage plan premiums, deductibles, copays and coinsurance. Note: HSA funds cannot be used to pay for Medigap premiums.
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.
At what age can funds be withdrawn from an HSA without tax penalty?
The HSA withdrawal rules change a bit when you turn 65. At that point, you can withdraw funds from your HSA without an extra penalty. That's true even if you use the funds for something other than a qualified medical expense.
Can I use HSA to pay insurance premiums?
By using untaxed dollars in an HSA to pay for deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and some other expenses, you may be able to lower your out-of-pocket health care costs. HSA funds generally may not be used to pay premiums.
How does IRS know what you spend HSA on?
Verification of expenses is not required for HSAs. 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.
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.
Can you use your HSA for groceries?
One of the most commonly asked questions regarding Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) is whether or not they can be used for groceries. The short answer is no. According to current IRS regulations, groceries are not considered a qualified medical expense and therefore cannot be paid for using HSA funds.
What is the downside of an HSA?
Drawbacks of HSAs include tax penalties for nonmedical expenses before age 65, and contributions made to the HSA within six months of applying for Social Security benefits may be subject to penalties. HSAs have fewer limitations and more tax advantages than flexible spending accounts (FSAs).
Can you put money in an HSA after retirement?
You can make contributions to your account at any time so long as you aren't enrolled in Medicare.
Can HSA be used for senior living?
HSA funds can be used for long-term care insurance, as well as health care continuation coverage and Medicare and other health insurance if you're 65 or older. However, not all long-term care insurance policies are eligible.
Can I withdraw from my HSA at 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.
Can you use HSA for non-qualified expenses after 65?
If you can wait until you're at least 65 to make non-qualified withdrawals, you can avoid the 20% tax penalty. However, you'll still owe income tax on any funds you withdraw, which negates some of the benefits of saving in an HSA to begin with.
When can you withdraw from HSA for non-medical expenses?
Use the funds for anything (once you turn 65)
You can now spend your HSA funds on whatever you want, not just qualified medical expenses.
What happens to HSA money when you go on Medicare?
Even if enrolled in Medicare, you may keep an HSA if it was in existence prior to Medicare enrollment. You can spend from your HSA to help pay for medical expenses, such as deductibles, premiums, copayments, and coinsurances. If you use the account for qualified medical expenses, it will continue to be tax-free.
What is the HSA account loophole?
The ultimate loophole available to almost everyone under the age of 65 in our tax code is the Health Savings Account (HSA). It is the only account you can contribute to and deduct the contribution and then withdraw the money tax free. Think about that, a tax deduction going in and no taxes going out.
At what age can you no longer contribute to an HSA?
There is a six-month lookback period (but not before the month of reaching age 65) when enrolling in Medicare after age 65, so a best practice is for workers to stop contributing to their HSA six months before the month they apply for Medicare to avoid penalties.
Do you have to stop HSA 6 months before Medicare?
Since you will be older than 65 when applying for Medicare, you will need to stop HSA contributions 6 months before applying. Behind the scenes, Medicare Part A has a 6-month retroactive start date. And therefore, contributions to an HSA become ineligible six months before filing the application.
Can I use HSA to pay insurance premiums if I retire early?
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.
How do I reimburse myself from my HSA?
As long as you opened your HSA before the expense was incurred, your reimbursement will be tax-free. You can: Transfer money online from your HSA to your personal bank account using an electronic funds transfer (EFT) Mail yourself a check through the transfer money feature.