Is there a penalty for HSA contributions while on Medicare?
Asked by: Toney Ferry | Last update: November 5, 2025Score: 4.8/5 (21 votes)
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.
Do I have to stop HSA contributions 6 months before Medicare?
Because your enrollment date for Medicare (ie, when your coverage starts will generally be 6 months before your application date, you must stop contributing to your HSA 6 months before applying for Medicare.
Are there penalties for HSA after 65?
Can my HSA be used for anything other than qualified health care expenses? 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.
How can I avoid the HSA penalty?
If you contribute too much money to your HSA during the year or contribute when you are not enrolled in a high-deductible health plan, you may have to pay a tax penalty. You can avoid a penalty on excess contributions by withdrawing them before the tax deadline.
What Is The Penalty For Having An HSA And Medicare? - InsuranceGuide360.com
Is HSA tax-free after 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.
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.
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.
How much can a 65 year old contribute to an HSA?
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.
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.
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.
Can I reimburse myself from HSA for Medicare premiums?
Yes. You can withdraw money from your HSA to reimburse yourself for Medicare premiums that are automatically deducted from your Social Security benefits check. You can withdraw HSA funds at any time to reimburse yourself for eligible expenses you have incurred since you opened the HSA.
When can you take out HSA money without 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.
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 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.
When should I stop contributing to Medicare before HSA?
If you enroll in Medicare after turning 65, your coverage can become effective up to 6 months earlier. You and your employer will need to end your HSA contributions up to 6 months before enrolling in Medicare since Medicare back dates your Part A coverage from the date you enroll.
What is the penalty for having an HSA while on Medicare?
There's no penalty for having an already established HSA when you're enrolled in Medicare, although you can no longer set up a new HSA. However, if you save to an HSA while you're enrolled in Medicare, you may be hit with IRS penalties on what are considered “excess contributions,” including a 6% excise tax charge.
What is the 12 month rule for HSA?
It means you must remain eligible for the HSA until December 31 of the following year. The only exceptions are death or disability. If you violate the testing period requirement, your ineligible contributions become taxable income.
Is HSA penalty free after 65?
Your HSA as 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 and you only pay income tax!
How do I avoid HSA penalty?
To avoid a tax penalty, many advisors recommend you stop contributing to your HSA at least 6 months before you apply for Medicare. NOTE: It may take several weeks to process a request to stop any automatic contributions.
What is the disadvantage of HSA account?
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.
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.
Can I contribute to HSA if I have Medicare Part A?
If you enroll in Medicare Part A and/or B, you can no longer contribute pre-tax dollars to your HSA. This is because to contribute pre-tax dollars to an HSA you cannot have any health insurance other than an HDHP.
Can HSA be used for dental?
Yes, you can use a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) for dental expenses.
Is there a penalty for over contributing to an HSA?
5. What happens if I contribute more than the IRS annual maximum? If your HSA contains excess or ineligible contributions you will generally owe the IRS a 6% excess-contribution penalty tax for each year that the excess contribution remains in your HSA. It is recommended you speak with a tax advisor for guidance.