How much can I contribute to my HSA in the year I go on Medicare?

Asked by: Mrs. Margie Jast DVM  |  Last update: November 27, 2023
Score: 4.9/5 (73 votes)

Yes, but you can't contribute to a health savings account (HSA) after you enroll in Medicare. You can use money you've accumulated tax-free in an HSA for eligible medical expenses at any time. After you turn 65, you can even withdraw money tax-free from an HSA to pay your Medicare premiums.

Can I make an HSA contribution in the year I start Medicare?

Yes. If you are eligible for Medicare but do not actually enroll, you can continue to contribute to your HSA. Once you enroll in any part of Medicare, you will no longer be eligible to contribute to your HSA. Even enrolling in Part A alone will disqualify you from depositing to your HSA.

Is there a penalty for contributing to HSA while on Medicare?

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. An HSA testing period is the full year after you enroll in an HSA midyear if you make the maximum contributions when you first sign up.

Can I contribute max to HSA in 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.

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.

If I delay taking Medicare Part A&B, can I contribute to my HSA?

16 related questions found

Can I stop HSA contributions 6 months before Medicare?

This is because when you enroll in Medicare Part A, you receive up to six months of retroactive coverage, not going back farther than your initial month of eligibility. If you do not stop HSA contributions at least six months before Medicare enrollment, you may incur a tax penalty.

Can I still contribute to an HSA after I retire?

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.

Why can't I contribute to an HSA after age 65?

At age 65, most Americans lose HSA eligibility because they begin Medicare. Final Year's Contribution is Pro-Rata.

How much is HSA taxed after 65?

Once you turn 65, you can also choose to treat your HSA like a retirement account! 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, so withdraw away!

Can you contribute to an HSA if you are no longer employed?

∎ Can I contribute to an HSA even if I'm not employed: You do not have to have a job or earned income from employment to be eligible for an HSA – in other words, the money can be from your own personal savings, income from dividends, unemployment, etc.

Can I use HSA to pay insurance premiums?

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.

Can you contribute to an HSA if your 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.

Is there a 6 excise tax on excess HSA contributions?

Generally, the IRS penalty equals 6 percent of your excess contributions. For example, if you have a $100 excess contribution, your fine would be $6.00. If you contributed $1,000 over, it would be $60. This penalty is called an “excise tax,” and applies to each tax year the excess contribution remains in your account.

Do HSA contributions reduce Social Security benefits?

HSAs can reduce taxable income in retirement, which may affect Medicare premiums and the portion of Social Security benefits subject to federal income tax.

How do I avoid taxes on my HSA withdrawals?

Using your HSA in retirement – No penalty

If the HSA dollars are spent on eligible expenses, such as Medicare premiums or other healthcare needs, then those withdrawals are not subject to taxes (same as pre-retirement).

How much can you put in HSA tax free?

2022 HSA contribution limits:

An individual with coverage under a qualifying high-deductible health plan (deductible not less than $1,400) can contribute up to $3,650 — up $50 from 2021 — for the year to their HSA.

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.

What is the average HSA balance?

The average HSA balance rose from $2,645 at the beginning of 2021 to $3,902 by the end of the year, the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit independent research organization found in its analysis of its HSA database, which had information on 13.1 million HSAs in 2021.

Do I lose my 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.

Do I lose my HSA 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 you have too much in your HSA?

HSA Contributions Have Annual Limits

For 2022, you are only allowed to deposit $3,650 in your HSA for individual plans ($7,300 for family coverage). You can make an additional $1,000 contribution if you are 55 or older. Deposits that exceed this limit can incur tax penalties and/or IRS fees.

What is the HSA tax loophole?

HSA Tax Advantages

Your contributions may be 100 percent tax-deductible, meaning contributions can be deducted from your gross income. All interest earned in your HSA is 100 percent tax-deferred, meaning the funds grow without being subject to taxes unless they are used for non-eligible medical expenses.

What is the 6 excess contribution penalty?

The IRS will charge you a 6% penalty tax on the excess amount for each year in which you don't take action to correct the error. You can be charged the penalty tax on any excess amount for up to six years, beginning with the year when you file the federal income tax return for the year the error occurred.

Can I use my HSA for gym membership?

Physical therapy is an approved medical expense. Can I use my HSA for a gym membership? Typically no. Unless you have a letter from your doctor stating that the membership is necessary to treat an injury or underlying health condition, such as obesity, a gym membership isn't a qualifying medical expense.

Can I use my HSA to pay for glasses?

Yes! You can definitely use funds from your flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) to purchase prescription glasses. (FSAs and HSAs can be used for many other vision- and eye health-related expenses, too, but we'll discuss that more in a bit.)