When you receive Social Security retirement benefits, your Part A coverage is back-dated 6 months (but no earlier than the first month you're eligible for Medicare) to give you 6 months of back-dated benefits. If you contribute to your HSA during those 6 months, you may face a 6% excise tax and an income tax for those contributions.
Full Answer
Can I contribute to a hsa while on Medicare?
IRS rules say that you can’t contribute to an HSA if you’re enrolled in Medicare. You can draw on funds already in the account but you can't add to them. So it’s important to know how you can get around this rule if you have an HSA at work and want to continue working beyond age 65. Here’s what you can do, according to different situations:
How your HSA can reimburse you for Medicare premiums paid?
[ANSWER]Even though you have your Medicare premiums paid directly out of your Social Security benefits, you can withdraw money tax-free from your HSA to reimburse yourself for those expenses.
How much Am I eligible to contribute to a HSA?
These include:
- Another health plan that isn’t HSA-qualified, including a spouse’s health plan or a supplemental health plan.
- Being enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, or Tricare. ...
- Being covered by a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), either yours or your spouse’s.
What is the penalty for over-contributing to a HSA?
If you over-contribute to an HSA and don't correct it, you must pay a 6% penalty each year on the excess that remains in your account. But if you catch the mistake before you file taxes (including extensions), you can avoid the penalty by withdrawing the excess, plus any investment or interest earnings.
How much is the penalty for contributing to HSA while on Medicare?
If, however, the individual becomes ineligible for the HSA anytime in the next calendar year (referred to as the “testing period”), either due to Medicare enrollment or otherwise, they will be subject to back taxes and a 10% income tax penalty on the amount of funds they contributed.
Do I have to stop HSA contributions 6 months before Medicare?
The takeaway here is that you should delay Social Security benefits and decline Part A if you wish to continue contributing funds to your HSA. Finally, if you decide to delay enrolling in Medicare, make sure to stop contributing to your HSA at least six months before you do plan to enroll in Medicare.
Can you contribute to an HSA the year you go on Medicare?
If you are entitled to Medicare because you signed up for Medicare Part A at age 65 or later and have applied for Social Security Benefits you cannot continue to contribute to an HSA. You can continue to withdraw any remaining funds in your account.
Can you contribute to an HSA if you are 65 and not on Medicare?
Can I contribute to my HSA if I am age 65 and covered under an HDHP? Yes, you can contribute to your HSA as long as you are an eligible individual and have not enrolled in Medicare Part A, B, or D. Once you enroll in Medicare you may no longer contribute to your HSA.
How do I avoid HSA penalty?
The only way to fully avoid all penalties is to only use HSA withdrawals to make eligible purchases.
Can I contribute to my HSA the year I turn 65?
At age 65, most Americans lose HSA eligibility because they begin Medicare. Final Year's Contribution is Pro-Rata. You can make an HSA contribution after you turn 65 and enroll in Medicare, if you have not maximized your contribution for your last year of HSA eligibility.
When should you stop contributing to HSA?
Under IRS rules, that leaves you liable to pay six months' of tax penalties on your HSA. To avoid the penalties, you need to stop contributing to your account six months before you apply for Social Security retirement benefits.
Can I put money in an HSA if I am retired?
The simple answer is: Yes! Once you turn 65, you can still contribute to your HSA post-retirement as long as you aren't enrolled in Medicare and have a qualifying HDHP.
What should I do with my HSA when I retire?
When you retire, you can use those HSA savings for a range of qualified health care expenses, including:IRS qualified health care premiums for Medicare Parts B, C, and D,Medicare deductibles, co-pays, and co-insurance,qualified long-term care insurance premiums,dental and vision expenses,hearing aids,More items...
What is the penalty for HSA withdrawals?
Prior to age 65, if you use your money for non-qualified expenses, the IRS imposes a hefty HSA withdrawal penalty of 20 percent on the amount withdrawn. For example, if you spend $500 on non-qualified expenses, your penalty will be $100.
How to avoid spending HSA?
One way to avoid spending your HSA dollars on non-qualified medical expenses is to check with your HR department or benefits administrator in advance. Learn more about HSA eligible expenses. In addition, if you are using a HSA debit card, many have security features built in to them:
What is an HSA account?
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are a popular tool for saving on taxes while setting aside money for medical and healthcare expenses. When you enroll in a qualified high deductible health plan (HDHP) and sign up for an HSA, you contribute pre-tax money into an account and then withdraw those funds for qualified healthcare expenses ...
Is an HSA a pre-tax account?
In some ways, an HSA is similar to a Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Each payday you contribute money into the HSA on a pre-tax basis. That means the funds come out of your paycheck before taxes are taken out, which lowers your taxable income and saves you money. Those HSA funds can be spent to cover out-of-pocket healthcare expenses for you and your family. So long as the money is used for qualified expenses, withdrawals are not taxed or penalized.
Is HSA money taxable?
In addition to the 20 percent penalty, the IRS will also consider any HSA funds spent on non-qualified expenses as taxable income.
Is HSA taxed?
So long as the money is used for qualified expenses, withdrawals are not taxed or penalized. One distinct advantage with an HSA is that you own the account – just like a checking or savings account; you can keep and use the money even if your employment status changes.
Does an HSA stay with you?
Unlike FSAs, your HSA stays with you for life unless you choose to close it. This is true whether the account is sponsored by your employer or you opened it on your own. This is one of the features that makes HSAs an effective tool for saving, investing, and adding to your retirement nest egg.
What is the excise tax on Medicare?
If you continue to contribute, or your Medicare coverage becomes retroactive, you may have to pay a 6% excise tax on those excess contributions. If you happen to have excess contributions, you can withdraw some or all to avoid paying the excise tax.
What is HSA 2021?
Medicare and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) Home / FAQs / General Medicare / Medicare and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) Updated on June 9, 2021. There are guidelines and rules you must follow when it comes to Medicare and Health Savings Accounts. A Health Savings Account is a savings account in which money can be set aside for certain medical ...
What is a health savings account?
A Health Savings Account is a savings account in which money can be set aside for certain medical expenses. As you get close to retiring, it’s essential to understand how Health Savings Accounts work with Medicare.
Can you withdraw money from a health savings account?
Once the money goes into the Health Savings Account account, you can withdraw it for any medical expense, tax-free. Additionally, you can earn interest, your balance carries over each year, and this can become an investment for a retirement fund. Unfortunately, some restrictions come along with having a Health Savings Account with Medicare.
What is the tax rate for Medicare after a HSA?
Excess contributions will be taxed an additional 6 percent when you withdraw them. You’ll pay back taxes plus an additional 10 percent tax if you enroll in Medicare during your HSA testing period.
What is an HSA account?
A health savings account (HSA) is an account you can use to pay for your medical expenses with pretax money. You can put money in an HSA if you meet certain requirements. You must be eligible for a high-deductible health plan and you can’t have any other health plan. Because Medicare is considered another health plan, ...
How long do you have to be on Medicare before you turn 65?
When you enroll in Medicare after you turn age 65, the IRS will consider you to have had access to Medicare for 6 months prior to your enrollment date. In general, it’s a good idea to stop HSA contributions if you’re planning to enroll in Medicare anytime soon. That way, you can avoid any tax penalties and save money.
What is Medicare Part B?
Medicare Part B (medical insurance) has standard costs, including a monthly premium and an annual deductible. Additionally, you’ll pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved cost for most covered services. You can use the funds in your HSA toward any of these costs.
Does MSA money count toward deductible?
So while you can spend your MSA funds on a service Medicare doesn’t cover, it won’t count toward your deductible.
Is MSA the same as HSA?
This plan is similar to an HSA, but there are a few key differences. Just like a standard HSA, you’ll need to be enrolled in a high-deductible plan. With an MSA, this means you’ll need to select a high-deductible Medicare Advantage plan. Once you’ve selected a plan, things will look a little different than your HSA.
Can a 65 year old retire without Medicare?
As another example, let’s say a retired person chooses not to enroll in Medicare when they turn 65 years old. They don’t have another health plan and pay all health costs out of pocket. In this case, they’ll pay a late enrollment penalty if they do decide to enroll in Medicare later.
What happens to my HSA once I enroll in medicare?
When you enroll in Medicare, you can continue to withdraw money from your HSA. The money is yours forever. Your HSA dollars can cover qualified medical expenses — 100% tax-free — if your insurance doesn’t reimburse you.
Are there penalties for having both an HSA and Medicare?
The IRS won’t penalize you if you still have money in your HSA when you enroll in Medicare. You can use your HSA dollars to pay for qualified medical expenses if you want to save money on taxes. Unlike a flexible spending account (FSA), all the unused funds in your HSA will continue to roll over every year.
What costs are not covered by Medicare?
Before you apply for Medicare, you should review your major out-of-pocket costs. This will help you determine the best time to apply for coverage.
What happens when I buy an eligible expense vs. an ineligible expense with HSA funds?
When you turn 65, you will have more flexibility over how you use the funds in your HSA. You can pay for all qualified expenses, free of taxes. You’ll have to pay income tax on money you withdraw to pay for nonqualified expenses. If you’re under 65, you may also owe a 20% tax penalty.
Are my withdrawals for HSA tax-free?
One of the benefits of an HSA is that your withdrawals can be tax-free if used for qualified medical expenses. All nonqualified expenses will be subject to federal and state income taxes.
The bottom line
Enrolling in Medicare can affect your ability to make contributions to a health savings account (HSA). Before you sign up for Medicare, make sure you understand HSA rules to avoid unexpected taxes and penalties. Although Medicare beneficiaries cannot contribute to an HSA, they can still withdraw money from the account.
How long do you have to stop HSA before enrolling in Medicare?
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 enrolling in Medicare to avoid penalties. See the examples below for more on this.
What happens if you miss the deadline for Medicare?
In other words, getting the Medicare Special Enrollment Period wrong risks a gap in coverage plus a lifetime of penalties.
When did HSA start?
Image by Roy Scott/IKON Images. Before the tax - savings wonder that is the health savings account (HSA) was introduced in 2003, it was a generally accepted best practice for any worker who wasn't already collecting Social Security at the age of 65 to go ahead and sign up for Medicare Part A (hospital insurance), regardless of other coverage.
Can HSA funds be used for medical expenses?
See the examples below for more on this. Funds already in the HSA can still be used for qualified medical expenses upon enrollment in Medicare, including to reimburse taxpayers for Medicare premiums (but not premiums for Medicare supplemental insurance) as well as to pay for long - term - care costs and insurance.