What is the 6 month rule for HSA contributions?
Asked by: Augustus Olson | Last update: December 4, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (46 votes)
Do I have to stop HSA contributions 6 months before Social Security?
Stop making contributions to your HSA up to 6 months before applying for Medicare Part A only or Part A and Part B or starting your Social Security retirement benefits.
What is the 6 month look back period for 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.
What is the HSA 12 month rule?
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 there a grace period for HSA contributions?
This 2-month-and-15-day grace period generally disqualifies those from contributing to an HSA until the first calendar month beginning after the grace period ends (e.g., April 1 in the case of a grace period beginning January 1 and ending March 15) unless the health FSA account balance is $0 at the end of the ...
6-Month Lookback on HSA Contributions Before Medicare
Is there a time limit on HSA contributions?
You have until the tax filing deadline (typically April 15) to make contributions to your HSA for the previous year.
How late can HSA contributions be made?
HSA contribution deadline
You generally have until the tax filing deadline to contribute to an HSA. In most tax years, this is at or around April 15.
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).
When must you stop contributing to an 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.
How does the last month rule work?
Last-month rule.
If you are an eligible individual on the first day of the last month of your tax year (December 1 for most taxpayers), you are considered to be an eligible individual for the entire year, so long as you remain an eligible individual during the testing period as discussed below.
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.
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.
What disqualifies you from contributing to an HSA?
If you can receive benefits before that deductible is met, you aren't an eligible individual. Other employee health plans. An employee covered by an HDHP and a health FSA or an HRA that pays or reimburses qualified medical expenses can't generally make contributions to an HSA. FSAs and HRAs are discussed later.
What is the 6 month lookback for HSA?
If you contribute to your HSA during those 6 months, you may face a 6% excise tax and an income tax for those contributions. This "6-month lookback" starts when you enroll in Medicare or begin your Social Security retirement benefits.
Can I cash out my HSA when I leave my job?
Yes, you can cash out your HSA at any time. However, any funds withdrawn for costs other than qualified medical expenses will result in the IRS imposing a 20% tax penalty. If you leave your job, you don't have to cash out your HSA.
Can I use my HSA to pay 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.
Can I stop my HSA 6 months before Medicare?
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.
Can I use HSA for gym membership?
Gym memberships. While some companies and private insurers may offer discounts on gym memberships, you generally can't use your FSA or HSA account to pay for gym or health club memberships. An exception to that rule would be if your doctor deems fitness medically necessary for your recovery or treatment.
What are the HSA rules for 2024?
For 2024, if you have self-only HDHP coverage, you can contribute up to $4,150. If you have family HDHP cover- age, you can contribute up to $8,300. For 2025, if you have self-only HDHP coverage, you can contribute up to $4,300. If you have family HDHP coverage, you can contribute up to $8,550.
What happens to your HSA when you turn 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.
Can I use HSA for dental?
Your HSA also covers expenses for standard dental cleanings and dental check-ups. One thing to keep in mind is that some of these procedures may have a co-payment, so it's important that you check with your dental insurance provider to find out exactly what you'll have to pay out of pocket.
Does HSA really save money?
While you have the flexibility to withdraw as little or as much as you need to help pay for health care expenses, the HSA is really designed to help you save money and build up your balance so that you're prepared for future health care expenses, including in retirement when you're likely to have more medical expenses ...
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.
At what age can you no longer contribute to an HSA?
You lose eligibility as of the first day of the month you turn 65 and enroll in Medicare. Example. Sally turns 65 on July 21 and enrolls in Medicare. She is no longer eligible to contribute to her HSA as of July 1.
Do I need to report HSA contributions on my tax return?
Form 8889 is submitted with your tax return via Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR to report a distribution from the account, even if it's not taxable. If you took a taxable distribution from your HSA, this is where you report that. You also report contributions and any deductions related to your HSA on this form.