Why should I invest my HSA?

Asked by: Lindsey Reynolds  |  Last update: December 9, 2023
Score: 4.1/5 (47 votes)

Comparing HSA to 401(k)
Not only can you invest1 your HSA and potentially capitalize on tax-free growth, but your HSA also delivers powerful tax advantages you can't find anywhere else. As you can see from this table, your HSA brings all the tax efficiency of a 401(k) along with additional bonuses.

What is the downside of investing in HSA?

The main downside of an HSA is that you must have a high-deductible health insurance plan to get one. A health insurance deductible is the amount of money you must pay out of pocket each year before your insurance plan benefits begin.

How much should I invest into my HSA?

How much should I contribute to my health savings account (HSA) each month? The short answer: As much as you're able to (within IRS contribution limits), if that's financially viable.

Why invest in HSA instead of 401k?

HSAs focus on health costs and funds in the accounts can be spent on qualifying health costs before or after retirement without incurring taxes or penalties. Rigid rules on 401(k) withdrawals mean funds deposited to these accounts are effectively locked up until age 59.5.

Is it smart to invest my HSA?

Comparing HSA to 401(k)

But your HSA can be one of the best accounts for saving for retirement. Not only can you invest1 your HSA and potentially capitalize on tax-free growth, but your HSA also delivers powerful tax advantages you can't find anywhere else.

The TRUTH About an HSA For Financial Independence - Health Savings Account Investing

30 related questions found

Should I invest 100% of my HSA?

Try to invest as much of your HSA money as possible while ensuring that you keep enough cash to cover your qualified medical expenses. Consider where your other retirement plans are invested as well to make sure that your HSA investments provide diversification. Avoid taking out funds from your HSA as much as possible.

When should I start investing my HSA?

If you do not have recurring healthcare expenses, or the expenses you have are significantly less than your available HSA balance, then the time is right to invest. Developing an investing strategy now could be a big boon toward covering future healthcare costs or supplementing your retirement account.

Does HSA money grow?

An HSA could be an effective tool to help you accumulate money on a tax-advantaged basis to pay for out-of-pocket medical expenses. When you invest the funds in your HSA, you give your money a chance to grow. Any investment gains in an HSA aren't taxed, which could give your money potential to accumulate.

When should I start investing in HSA?

Investments cover future healthcare costs and build your retirement savings. You may begin investing once you have a minimum of $1,000 in your HSA cash account. HSA funds above that amount can be transferred to your investment account.

Is it bad to have too much money in HSA?

Putting too much money in your HSA can happen, but the IRS isn't happy when it happens. In fact, you'll be penalized for it unless you catch it and fix it.

Should you spend or invest your HSA?

Determine if you plan to use your HSA to pay for current qualified medical expenses or if you will pay from another source of personal savings. Consider setting aside a "cash target"—the amount of cash in your HSA used to pay for current qualified medical expenses. Then consider investing the remaining amount.

What is average return on HSA?

Annual expenses to be paid with HSA savings: $2,000. Federal income tax rate or bracket: 25% State income tax rate: 0% Interest rate or average annual rate of return: 2.5%

Can you use HSA for dental?

You can also use HSAs to help pay for dental care. While dental insurance can help cover costs, an HSA can also help cover any out-of-pocket expenses resulting from dental care and procedures.

Can you become an HSA millionaire?

The HSA millionaire: Far more elusive, but not impossible

This means that it's more difficult for funds in an HSA to experience the benefits of uninterrupted compounding. Nonetheless, it's not impossible -- even if you withdraw and spend a good portion of your HSA contributions every year.

What if my HSA runs out of money?

If you do not have enough money in your HSA to pay for an eligible medical expense you will need to pay for the expense by some other means. Once the money is in your HSA account, you can withdraw the amount that you paid and reimburse yourself.

Can I use HSA money for anything?

If you have money in your HSA when you turn 65, you can spend it on anything you want — but if you aren't spending it for a qualified medical expense it will be taxed as income at your then current tax rate. You can use HSA funds to pay for deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and other qualified medical expenses.

Should I maximize HSA or 401k first?

To summarize, when prioritizing long-term savings while enrolled in HSA-eligible healthcare plans, I would strongly suggest that the order of dollars should go as follows: Contribute enough to any workplace retirement plan to earn your maximum match. Max out your HSA (See Contribution Limits Below).

Can I pay for Invisalign with HSA?

Absolutely, you can use your HSA or FSA to pay for Invisalign aligners based on the same criteria listed above. While typically more expensive than braces, Invisalign aligners are practically invisible and removable, making them a great option for many Kristo Orthodontic patients— especially teens and adults.

Can HSA be used for eyeglasses?

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.)

Are vitamins HSA eligible?

With this IRS definition in mind, while daily multivitamins are not FSA/HSA eligible, there are some types of vitamins that are eligible with consumer-directed healthcare accounts and others that may be eligible with proper documentation from a physician.

Can I buy a treadmill with my HSA?

A treadmill may be eligible for reimbursement with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA) and health reimbursement arrangement (HRA).

Can I use HSA to buy electric toothbrush?

Electric toothbrushes are not eligible for reimbursement with flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), health reimbursement accounts (HRA), dependent care flexible spending accounts, and limited-purpose flexible spending accounts (LPFSA) because they are general health products.

Can you use HSA at Costco?

Costco accepts a limited number of cards at the main checkout lanes, but they'll let you pay for eligible items with your HSA/FSA card at the Pharmacy or Optical counters. So to use your FSA or HSA cards at Costco, just bypass the regular checkout lines and visit the Pharmacy or Optical department instead.

Are tampons HSA-eligible?

With the passage of the CARES Act in March 2020, tampons and other menstrual care products are now fully FSA-/HSA-eligible. According to the text of the bill, menstrual care products include, “tampon, pad, liner, cup, sponge, or similar product used by individuals with respect to menstruation…”

Can I use HSA for Botox?

Botox: HSA Eligibility

Botox injections are not eligible for reimbursement with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA) health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA) or a limited-purpose flexible spending account (LPFSA).