Where does my FSA money go if I don't spend it?

Asked by: Sydni Baumbach  |  Last update: July 24, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (26 votes)

For employees, the main downside to an FSA is the use-it-or-lose-it rule. If the employee fails to incur enough qualified expenses to drain his or her FSA each year, any leftover balance generally reverts back to the employer.

What happens to unused funds in FSA?

The IRS created the ""use or lose"" rule, which states that all money left in your FSA is forfeited after the benefit period ends . If you don't use all of your FSA funds during the benefit period, you risk losing money.

Is there a way to get my FSA money back?

There is no way to just take it out. It has to be spent on FSA eligible expenses or used to reimburse yourself for FSA expenses you paid out of pocket this year.

What happens to uncashed FSA checks?

Typically, each state establishes the useful life of a check or bank draft used to disburse FSA program funds. After this established date, the check cannot be negotiated and the proceeds of an uncashed check normally escheat to an unintended third-party (the state or the institution).

Where does the money from an FSA go?

You can use funds in your FSA to pay for certain medical and dental expenses for you, your spouse if you're married, and your dependents. You can spend FSA funds to pay deductibles and copayments, but not for insurance premiums.

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What happens to your FSA money when you quit?

If you quit before you use your FSA funds, your employer gets the money. You'll also lose the money if you're employed with the company but don't use all of the funds within the plan year.

What happens if you don't spend your dependent care in FSA?

The IRS has a "use-it-or-lose-it" rule. It requires that all money you put into your FSA must be used to reimburse qualified expenses incurred during that plan year. Funds that are left over after the plan year ends are forfeited.

Can I use FSA 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 happens to unused checks?

You may, on occasion, see personal checks with pre-printed voiding instructions — “Void after 90 days,” as an example. In most cases, this is a way to nudge people to cash checks in a timely manner. Most banks still honor personal checks for a full six months (180 days) after the issue date.

What happens if you misuse FSA funds?

Your FSA account can be used for eligible medical expenses only and you are solely liable for the use of the plan. If the Benefits Card is accidentally or intentionally utilized for ineligible expenses, you are responsible for reimbursing your account.

Can I cash out FSA funds?

You can't withdraw money from an ATM

One of those is that the money can only be spent on FSA-eligible expenses.

Can an employer refund unused FSA funds in the IRS?

Commonly referred to as the “use-or-lose” rule, this requires that unused benefits or contributions remaining as of the end of the plan year (that is, amounts credited to a health FSA participant's account that remain unused, referred to below as “unused amounts”) be forfeited. See Prop. Treas. Reg.

How to make the most of your FSA money before it disappears?

Check your balance: Log into your FSA account ASAP. Deadlines vary— double-check to be sure when yours is. Plan your spending: Use your remaining funds wisely. Stock up on prescription medications, replace glasses or contacts, and restock over-the-counter items like allergy meds and first-aid supplies.

How do I spend my leftover FSA money?

If you need some inspiration to use up your FSA dollars, consider these ideas:
  1. Healthcare visits. ...
  2. Prescription medications. ...
  3. Vision care. ...
  4. Dental care. ...
  5. Hearing aids. ...
  6. Over-the-counter medications. ...
  7. First aid supplies. ...
  8. Skin care products.

Do I keep my FSA money?

Your flexible spending account (FSA) has an annual deadline to spend your funds. Any funds in your account at the end of the plan year (in excess of the carryover amount, if your plan includes one) will be forfeited to your employer.

Can I pay for massage with FSA?

Massage Therapy may be eligible for reimbursement with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) with flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA) and health reimbursement arrangements (HRA).

What happens to uncashed checks?

Uncashed checks are issued by agency/department but remain uncashed by the payee. Unclaimed checks are returned to an agency/department for which the payee cannot be located.

How to throw away unused checks?

While many banks have moved to digital formats for canceled checks, if you have physical copies or reprints from your bank, shred them. They contain a lot of personally identifiable information that could put you at risk. Stop those canceled checks from posing a risk by having them shredded.

Can I cash a 10 year old check?

Typically, personal checks are good for six months (or 180 days) from when they're dated. After that, they're considered "stale." Legally, banks and credit unions are not obligated to accept stale checks.

Can you use FSA for vitamins?

Are vitamins FSA/HSA eligible? You want to be careful when trying to buy vitamins with your FSA or HSA. They are not always deemed a qualified expense. If your vitamins are not prescribed by a healthcare professional or used to treat a specific condition, your purchase most likely won't be FSA or HSA eligible.

Does FSA cover peloton membership?

You can't directly pay for membership costs with your HSA/FSA card, but if you receive a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) from Truemed or an applicable licensed medical professional and are eligible for reimbursement, you may be able to apply your HSA/FSA funds to the cost of a Peloton Membership while the LMN is ...

Where does FSA money go if not used?

For employees, the main downside to an FSA is the use-it-or-lose-it rule. If the employee fails to incur enough qualified expenses to drain his or her FSA each year, any leftover balance generally reverts back to the employer.

Is FSA worth it?

A health care FSA can be useful for people with any level of health costs because it provides access to the entire annual amount elected, beginning on the very first day of the plan year for medical, dental, and vision costs. So, if you have an unexpected large expense, you can access the funds you need.

Do I have to pay back FSA if I quit?

If you quit or lose your job, any unspent funds in your FSA go back to your employer. However, FSA dollars can be spent on dental, vision, prescription medications, and other eligible expenses before you leave your job. You might have the option to continue using your FSA through COBRA coverage if you're eligible.